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Rod's Euro 2010 - Trip Report 25-Nov-2010 At 3:18:21 AM rod

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...it ain't over till its over. I had ONE last boulder problem to go and was in reasonable form a while back but conditions just got worse and worse to the point that we found some ski gear and gave that a lash last weekend.

So there I am all prepped for work next week and, having taken a call about a potential job starting Feb then researched the company concerned throughout the morning, I'm feeding my fat frame an expresso sitting on the couch with a fire going when Fred sends a text from Bhutan confirming he'd done Radja. 20 seconds later there's a break in the cloud, its dry and cold as can be climbable according to my fussy standards..."hmm, maybe i should get out and give that last remaining objective a lash?"

Strolled down to the car and got the crash pad, shoes and chalk then wandered up into the forest to find a cool breeze and sun on the rock which meant it was as sticky as can be.

Warmed up on the long standing objective and got each crimpy section sequenced really quickly so tried one full burn: didn't even come close on the ending all points off dyno, missed the crash pad too then nearly karked it as the effort involved registered on an unsuspecting body. Considering I'd wobbled through the entire thing to that point for the first time ever I was pretty stoked. Pulled onto a few other prob's to continue the warm up, ending up pumped stupid after one long, burly 6B before it came in really cold and overcast again so I decided on a warm down and pack up...

...but sitting there all rugged up, there was another little break in the clouds. With the sun on it conditions were SO good and I got to thinking this might be the last ever chance so I gave the long standing objective a last shot...

...and sent, given my fatman status right now I'm a happy man!

Apparently it's my FA so I'm going to name it the most appropriate thing I can think of..."Au Revoir Pierre", Branson, 6C Font...not too sure about the grade given my current fatman status but the local hotshots are up there giving it a lash right now just before dark so I'll know soon enough.

Definitely my last climbing post in this thread. Hope you've all enjoyed reading about my 2 euro seasons. You can find the 2009 TR in another thread, that trip was derailed by some personal non-climbing stuff but that simple fact ended up providing the motivation to come back and finish things off this year. I've certainly enjoyed the experience...

...and I'm looking forward to sampling some long missed Aussie sarcasm in the New Year and maybe even pulling down on some Aussie rock!