A Hold Too Far

Nicey was back on Anonymous. Her nemesis was the start of the arete, where she needed to gain enough height by popping her left foot up to enable her to bridge up towards the ledge. She did this without hesitation. Confidence in pulling off this move helped her reach the ledge for the first time. A quick traverse right and then came some awkward positions trying to reach the next ledge. Footholds became scarce and the holds not thank god enough. Nicey did well to improve from last weeks effort, as opposed to my climbing tonight.

Chip My Pride Away

My return to Chippa’s saw me peel off the crux every time. Fingers and wrist were very sore. Somewhere on the flat wall I am missing a crucial hold. A half move is all I require to reach the next hold in the important sequence.

Meanwhile, Bigfoot was climbing Anonymous.

Red had similar issues on the crux too. His best performance was at the bouldery start where he cleaned it with ease. We both had a small fall on the first bolt region trying to extend ourselves for the reachy hold.

Meanwhile, Bigfoot was still climbing Anonymous.

Gilligan was next. My money was on Bigfoot to reach the top based on his past successes with Anonymous and that none of us could climb Chippas. The bouldery start saw Gilligan try a slightly different sequence with his hands to mantle the ledge. He breezed it past the first couple of bolts to stand on the ledge before the face. Here Gilligan moved onto the crux and this time used a foot hold far out to the right which enabled him to easily reach the next hold. Here on in, it was all an easy sequence. Gilligan had reached the top and cleanly too. He screamed out aloud with jubilation.

Meanwhile, Bigfoot was still climbing Anonymous.

The Return of the Bigfoot

After six months in self exile, Master Bigfoot stomped back into the climbing world to reclaim his first ever successful ascent, Anonymous. Although packing more muscle, 100+ kilos of it not much has changed in his climbing style. Long pauses and hesitation. But some coaxing from the ground crew saw him commit to a move and each time he did, he successfully stuck to the wall and ascended metres at a time. Thirty five minutes later Bigfoot had reached the top. Bigfoot celebrated by yowling into the Brisbane night air. A long loud mournful cry that a flock of birds and bats were disturbed hundreds of metres away in the Botanical Gardens. The terrifying wail caused a pile up on the South East freeway. It sent shivers down every single climber at the cliffs. Beware Bigfoot has returned!