[spidermonkey09]

Hell of a ticklist there Ali. Brought back some great memories of my own time climbing on Taipan. The best crag in the world for me, just edges past Ceuse. I must go back, if I can ever afford the flight again in my life...

Seeing those routes in now banned parts of the Grampians bring home how much we stand to lose if Parks Vic get their way. Both the Lost World and Eureka Walls fall into the second category of 'probably not quite banned yet but might be down the line.' I wasn't climbing hard enough to try Orinoco Flow but tried Archimedes and got shut down; so good!

[spidermonkey09]

I'd call that a very good year Ali. I was there the day Hazel did Orinoci Flow. It looks outrageous. There was a send train of very enthusiastic wads (Cedar Wright, Bransby, Malcolm HB, Rob Greenwood) waxing lyrical about it but it was way above my paygrade so was content just to be a belayer. Maybe in a future life I'll go back.

HB, what a legend!

[ali k]

Hell of a ticklist there Ali. Brought back some great memories of my own time climbing on Taipan. The best crag in the world for me, just edges past Ceuse.

Yeh, and without the crowds. We were there over Easter wknd which I think I’m right in saying is the most popular time and there were about 12-15 people at the crag each day. Outside of Easter wknd maybe half a dozen at most!

Arapiles on the other hand...Pines camp ground was like a festival site over Easter (we didn’t stay there!).

[spidermonkey09]

I'm amazed there were that many to be honest. Not sure there was ever more than one other pair there when I was. It would be good if the cliff started getting a bit more love, although I'd be gutted if more bolts went in and the character was lost.

Interesting about the Pines. I was there in Spring and it was never too bad. Equally I was by myself so never minded it being busy as it meant more partners and loads of leftover food on the Sunday!

[SA Chris]

I loved the Pines, apart from some cunts up playing the fucking bongo drums all night. I even got use a proper canvas swag bag! Had a possum sniffing round it one night.

[spidermonkey09]

I remember getting into the sleeping bag one night and feeling a wriggling underneath my back. I was out of the tent in a flash. Careful inspection revealed the wriggling to be from a stumpy tailed lizard.

[ali k]

I'm amazed there were that many to be honest. Not sure there was ever more than one other pair there when I was.

Might have been due to the bans on some of the other Gramps crags concentrating people there?

[i_a_coops]

Empire Strikes Back, Cheddar - Sharp, eliminate, and at Cheddar, so it was never going to be a good route but it was always a fun day out with Rhos who was on her way to doing the first proper repeat of the extension.

 

I thought Tom Newberry's repeat was 100% valid?

[ali k]

I thought Tom Newberry's repeat was 100% valid?

Rhos thinks even Sav didn’t do it the right way so she’s claiming the FA.

[SA Chris]

stumpy tailed lizard.

So pleased to have spotted one of these too, glad it was the only reptile I spotted there. Nearly had a close encounter with a massive orb weaver descending one of the gullies.