|
|
|
|
philbox
Moderator
Aug 18, 2002, 9:06 PM
Post #26 of 28
(2499 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 27, 2002
Posts: 13105
|
Hey guys thanks for all the beta and encouragement. These dirt/rock bands are made up of decomposed basalt and rotten rock as far as I can ascertain from climbing in other areas close to this wall. I haven`t had a real close look at this wall yet. We are in drought at the moment and I`m thinking that I may have to leave the attempt until after we get some rain so that the greenery that inhabits the dirt bands can get some roots in there to consolidate the dirt bands a little more. From my initial scopings I reckon the dirt bands are less than a pitch long, more like half a pitch. The rock being a kind of volcanic basalt will be fairly friable on the surface and could well need to be cleaned extensively to gain a decent surface. One has to think subtropical weather here with its attendant lush foliage on any surface from which it can eke a living so the dirt bands are somewhat vegetated although not like a hanging garden of Babylon more like a vertical grass paddock with many orchids interspersed and of course the ubiquitous weeds just to annoy ones nasal passages. I`m not anticipating any evil nasty forms of spiky stinging foliage on the wall and there is a reasonably well established tourist track which runs close by so access isn`t that big an issue. A major highway runs close to the foot of the wall so I am astounded that no one has attempted to send this face that I know of and I have asked around quite a bit. Mebbe There is a reason for the wall never having received an ascent but I`m not going to let that deter me. It will go. Yeah Punk I`ve gotta agree with you it will be more of a project doing this route. I`ve just gotta find some insane fool to be my belay slave and climbing partner who is willing to get down and dirty or should I say get up (the wall) and dirty. ...Phil...
|
|
|
|
|
punk
Aug 19, 2002, 3:07 AM
Post #27 of 28
(2499 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 28, 2002
Posts: 1442
|
I’m not the best artist, but since the chute is only half pitch try stepping it made out of 2X4 wood planks and cross bridged pegged to the ground with only 5” above ground and filled with dirt to make a step it will take time but I think it will get u there safely on the ascent and descent [ This Message was edited by: punk on 2002-08-21 21:43 ]
|
|
|
|
|
philbox
Moderator
Aug 19, 2002, 3:23 AM
Post #28 of 28
(2499 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 27, 2002
Posts: 13105
|
Punk, yer a genius, something like this should definitely work, only thing is I`ve got a series of these dirt bands to surmount and the angle is way steeper than what you`ve got drawn, more like 80 degrees. I`ve also found out that in the 1950`s a couple of guys attempted this face and backed off at half height. This actually encourages rather than discourages me as we have lots more tricks than the old guys with their hemp rope and surplus army boots. Still they had these huge kahoonas to make up for the lack of gear. Oh yes the descent will be a walk off at the top on a formed tourist track, I`m still pinching myself that no one has done this spectacular face before being so close to civilisation. I have been warned to watch out for the ranger though, still I think I`ll be sufficiently out of the way that I won`t make them aware of what I`m doing. I hope none of the truckies coming up the range will ring up and ask what those guys are doing up there on that face. The face is quite visible from the highway which for most of its way up the range heads directly towards the face, hmm, cammo climbing gear could be the order of the day eh, lurk,lurk, skulk,skulk. ...Phil...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|