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Araps - long weekend bash 5-Oct-2009 At 10:29:54 PM scarecrow

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Just back from a ripper of a trip - my 5th to Araps this year but I thought I'd write my first report up...

Four of us rocked up in the pines late Thursday 1st October - sorry to anyone we woke up with the
erecting of our Tarp Mahal - it was very necessary, I assure you.
Then off to sleep for a huge day next. We broke up into two pairs, myself and a friend and the other
two. First to the pipes - I led Didgeridoo (great fun)! While the other two did Tremulo.
Then we went across to the Watchtower Slabs and I hopped on Panzer, while the others did Gecko.
Unfortunately I got stuck on Panzer behind 2 other groups (one who were doing rescue things and took
a long, long, longgggggg time) Luckily, I shouted to my mate to bring lunch up, so had a good nap and
stuff to eat on the expansive first belay of Panzer.
Then to cap off the day went to Castle Crag and led Trapeze, the traverse scaring the crap out of me
but in a great way!
My second then took the big swing in the traverse, funnily enough after taking out the cam I'd placed
in the pocket to prevent him taking it(!)
That then involved some lowering off and another of my mates coming up to clean it off.
Then back to camp, wrapping up the first day of climbing with a good dinner and a big sleep.
Saturday came up next, raced off to Tiger Wall and did the Dribble - a great fun climb, and yes I used
both bolts!! A romp, then walking down the central gully in bare feet was a bit of an experience, shall
we say.
In the afternoon we were back at Castle Crag, then TRing Swinging, and in the end 3 of the 4 of us led
it - a first of a higher grade lead for me but slightly cheaty due to the very well positioned bolts. Still, it
was great fun and pushed me out of that zone!
That was that for the day, bar some fun on the wall to the right of the plaque, that 19 in the corner,
seeing my mate dyno up that was great fun...
Sunday was the big day - got out crazily early and booked the first spot on Muldoon - a climb I had
been gunning to do since my last trip to Araps in JULY!! So that was absolutely amazing, lived up to
all the hype and was an amazing lead, both pitches rollicking fun.
Then we headed back to the pines to chill for a bit, then out to the Pinnacle Face to try to do Siren -
unfortunately others were on it so we headed up Xena, with a bit of a twist, I joined the first two
pitches and actually belayed on Siren's big second ledge, then having a bit of a joke of a second pitch
up to the proper belay, where we then stopped and admired the view - whilst polishing off some food.
Then we cleaned up the last two pitches with a bang, walked down the gully and did the squeeze on
the way back to the pines (the first time I'd done it in the day) which was pretty amusing.

All in all an absolutely 5 star (or in climbing terms 3 star) trip, no faults, only that it had to end!
Can't wait to get back...