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General Climbing Discussion

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A short story 3-Aug-2004 At 10:43:43 AM Damietta

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He was trying to undo the ‘biner on my harness and detach me from the anchor I had hastily set moments earlier. I solid kick to the groin had him doubled over. I followed through with a knee to the jaw. I felt that things were turning my way and I moved in confidently.

The elbow came from nowhere and connected with the side of my head.

I came to on the ledge. Looking at my watch, about 30 minutes had passed. I looked to the floor of the gully below. The climbing rope was piled in a heap at the base of the climb. I recalled him looking coolly into my eyes as I drifted out of consciousness on the ledge a little while ago. “I’m going to let you live, because you’re a climber. But mark my word – if I ever see you again I’ll f---ing gut you – hear me?” I remember nodding compliantly as I rolled towards the cliff face in the foetal position and what felt like sleepiness washed over me – happy to be leaving this world of hurt and fear I had climbed into.

I now stood up and vomited.

>> Shock

I eyed the 30 metres of grade 18 over loose rock and birdshit to the ground and began down climbing.

I hobbled down to the pines, passing a Japanese couple heading up to the boulders. They looked positively horrified to see me. I must have looked like some sort of crazed, bloodthirsty and wounded dog on the loose. Some girl tried to follow me and asked if I was alright but I waved her off and I limped on doggedly with my head down.

Luckily Alex hadn’t found the car keys in my pocket and the navy blue Audi A6 was waiting faithfully. The tiptronic gear system responded with cold precision as I floored it through the pines. The Audi exited the campsite sideways leaving a cloud of dust over a long haired, muscular climber of German appearance at the telephone box.

On the way to Natimuk I overtook some guy in a dusty old Kingswood, it looked like Simon Mentz. He didn’t even register as the blue sports car went hurtling past at 215 km/h. I could have been imagining but looking in the rear view mirror, I was sure I could make out a big toothy, cheesy grin and a middle finger extended in my direction. He quickly disappeared from view.