New Problems at Waitomo

Oh yeah it was good another day at the Airstrip with Matt, James “da Bogan” and me. James took us on a little tour to show some of the new problems out past the Totem Pole put up by him and Bevan on Friday. Some super nice moderate lines as per Jame's post. Good work boys!

We then cleaned a couple of new lines – a nice and super easy and interesting arête problem and a V2/V3 face/slab problem called “Escargot” because of the ton's of snails hanging around at the base. Pull on and throw to the jug in the middle then step up, get your balance and reach for the top and over you go.

Matt cranking out on a new arete problem Me reaching up for and big fat grab of nothing on Escargot!

Slab to top out! Wikkid.

I then made a mistake and showed James a project and what happens – he distracted me and snaked the first ascent……cheeky little mulletet bugger. Oh well, it was too hard for Matt and I and James was firing so he did it in good style to produce “Armed Offenders Squad”, (get the name right James you fool) tentative grade V7 located between the Alchemy and Below Alchemy Walls. A tricky start and then traverse out and then throw to glory and the top out holds! Will be a good addition for the next NBS.

Matt giving it a crank Cranking, but about to fall off....
James showing us how it's done! Pow! Right in the kisser!

I had some more photos but this stupid blog site won't let me post them in this posting cause they must be too hard core for the site. I'll try to post them again later ok!

After that action we went for a wander and bumped into the Bad Boy Barratts who where slinking around looking for fist jams and ledges to take a crap off. Bad Boys! We then had a crack at "Steves V6" over at the North face which we all (apart from James who didn't bother) got spanked on and I nearly broke my thumb on (still sore today...) Something for next time ok.
Oh yeah – happy 30th to Matt for the 4th of September as well! Go you old bugger go!

D