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Ikara
Head climbing - Telstar
Adam Bramwell August 98
The weekend started like many others. With a stomp on the gas pedal
then a squeal of brakes we found ourselves seated around a table
in Thornleigh, waiting for our kebabs to cook. I could only hold
out two or three minutes before bringing out the guidebooks to the
Blue Mountains crags selected as suitable climbing for the five
of us. I suggested a day at Cosmic to find our feet, followed by
checking out some reputable Ikara multi-pitch lines on Sunday.
Glen and I were now on our 5th or so straight weekend climbing in
the Bluies, the previous weekend saw us make our way up a 40m 22
amongst other climbs, putting us in good stead for a hard weekend's
climbing. But my plan was to forego the grade crusade for this weekend,
choosing instead to massage my companions' egos into thinking they
were capable of climbing some moderately hard multi-pitches.
Any multi-pitch is a serious undertaking in the Blue Mountains,
but because we had been trained by that comical imp - Mike, we were
well equipped with helmets, jumpers, food, water, double ropes and
many competent leaders. We felt it was time to push the envelope
on local rock so that we could climb on some long, difficult classics
on our road trip to Victoria next month.
Saturday was spent at Cosmic County, me mucking around with Debbie
helping her get used to real rock again. At the end of the day,
after Glen finally succumbed to the inevitable and backed off the
bouldery "I'd Rather Be Sailing" (19), Debbie gave it
a few tries and succeeded. I followed her up, congratulated her
on the fine lead and hinted that she was ready to move onto nice
multi-pitches of that grade. I don't recall getting a response.
Sunday morning saw us awake to the comfortable opulence of Pulpit
Rock hut. Always a good warm up is bridging in the hut doorway whilst
eating breakfast. After my habitual chase of the resident sparrow,
using Deb's frosties in an attempt to get a good photo, the day
began. We took a quick trip to the thunderbox each, in an attempt
to prevent us shitting ourselves later on in the day. The final
part of our preparation was over. |
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Photo: Adam Bramwell
Do we really have to go up there? |
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