[al]

try getting in touch with the relevant park group and lobby them a bit chris - they might not know much about them, and you could act as a consultant, although if its the council they can be slow (and fairly skint these days) - maybe get in touch with sam and rob (zig zag) who did our latest boulder.

[SA Chris]

Will have a shot, although I think with Duthie Park it might be a bit late; they are already behind schedule and over budget. Surprise.

[al]

popped a few pics of the process and test climb up on my sketchbook today http://50folds.tumblr.com/

[Johnny Brown]

Looks brilliant Al.

I can imagine one day we might have ten of these in a park and we'd have something really brilliant.

What did it cost?

[Gus]

Just been down to check these out, and have a do in me trainers, well impressed!! Looks like the local chavs are gonna have to learn to jam/off width!!!!

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

What's it made from? Will it polish quickly?

[Bubba]

Nice one Al and all others involved 

[al]

What did it cost?

they're not cheap, which is why there may never be a park full (fewer are being made now, compared to 5 yrs ago) - usually around 20-30k, although not sure of the final cost of this one exactly as it was part of a larger park revamp - most of the money goes on the concrete spraying and ground works, we see very little of it at the end - its a labour of love

What's it made from? Will it polish quickly?

EP foam blocks, wrapped in mesh then sprayed with concrete at high pressure, then carved - it does polish, which is why we left it a bit rough to start with so even if it shines up it should always have some texture (it can be wire brushed and scraped, sand papered etc, although it isn't as hard as rock so go carefully)
thanks bubbs 

[Bonjoy]

Have you though of, or would you object to, folk painting holds with climbing wall style friction paint or similar?

[al]

not sure if you've checked it out yet bonjoy but don't think this boulder will need extra friction for a good while!
also the feedback from local climbers, that use the other park boulder, was that they liked the polish on that one.
we're up for any appropriation of them (coloured dots to mark problems etc), but not sure about friction paint, it could just wear off? (they aren't supposed to be as refined as a climbing wall, and they all get tagged and abused to an extent)

[fatdoc]

aprt from when hot... when really i shouldnt have been there... ive not had any problems at the worn ones with polish, though the new ones look hard!!

I would love some colour dots to get my problem mind thinking....

[Rob G]

not sure if you've checked it out yet bonjoy but don't think this boulder will need extra friction for a good while!
also the feedback from local climbers, that use the other park boulder, was that they liked the polish on that one.
we're up for any appropriation of them (coloured dots to mark problems etc), but not sure about friction paint, it could just wear off? (they aren't supposed to be as refined as a climbing wall, and they all get tagged and abused to an extent)

We have come up with a very easy and effective way of "frictioning" up holds with a bit of resin. We'd be happy to do it if there was demand, but the consensus at the moment seems to be that polish is good!

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

[al]

think zig zag/hdt are planning an opening on sat 15th, sam/rob/maria? - not sure what their plans are but pop down for a climb at least (although it's useable now)

[Rob G]

yes, there is an opening on the 15th, between 1pm and 2pm.

http://www.facebook.com/events/424096757657129/

[slackline]

Just got this in the (e)mail



Weather forecast looks too good to be in the city though.

[al]

we had a good ribbon cutting/climbing session on the heeley park boulder last weekend - it was nice to see some faces old and new down there 
http://heeleypark.org/2012/12/19/boulder-officially-open/
I'll be helping run some 'drop in' bouldering sessions with the park (on the old and new boulders) in the new year, for local park dwellers, kids and anyone who would like to get their heads round it - if anyone fancies helping out in any capacity let me know, and anyone who has kids that would benefit from joining in with a similar age group, and a 'low pressure' approach, would be welcome - I'll post up some flyers when we are sorted with dates and weather etc.

[Fiend]

Pooch!

[lagerstarfish]

Pooch!

Clearly just passing by on her way home from a lunchtime drinking session at The Sheaf

[slackline]

Heeley Hang

[al]

would be great to get some good problems set, so all are welcome 
we'll be scribbling down lines that get done, so we can make a starter topo
can't believe its not been tagged yet either, youth of today!

[al]

http://www.facebook.com/events/131577030354870/