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'work' trip 20-Jan-2012 At 4:33:59 PM skegly

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The work trip!

So when my contacts fell through I thought why not I will post a “looking for workers” post on chockey and see what happens. I also thought at this time of year it would be cheaper to drive, and I could even take my gear (for the first time).
Well what a right decision that was.

Marcus, Stu & Ollie all came to the cause, what a good choice it was.

Day1. I woke up too early and thought, if I could make it as far north as possible, I might be able to meet the invitation of a climb in the blueys on Sunday. 4am I was loaded and off only to count 25+ roos on the first road. Slowing down I swore at the 100ks to go to the Hume. I also decided to go the google way past Seymore to, 1 try out and 2 check out a couple of road side crags. Once on the Hume there was a couple of road side stops to check out rock I could see, a quick stop in Albury then onto the Rock. Just a rest stop I had a quick walk around but didn’t get to the actual crags as I knew I would be back. Then I just hit the Hwy to Wingello. Chockey came into it again when I asked for better directions and I finally fell asleep in my car next to the fireman memorial after a quick sunset look at some impressive rock.

Day2. I woke early, I thought rather than a solo at Wingello I headed to Blackheath, Blue Mountains. All was going well till I listened to google maps which thought it was a grand idea to get me chasing wild water fowl past north Richmond. I finally meet up with Marcus then headed down to Heathcliff and ticked Fake Blood, my first sandstone. I then attempted Bad blood before I went for a walk to check out some of the other nearby cliffs. Then off to drop of my tools to site and check in for a meal and some shut eye.

Day3. A big day working but talking lots about climbing. Most enjoyable.

Day4. It was a late start so I headed down to Queens park for a bit of bouldering. With no spotter I didn’t push it and didn’t stay to long because of the uninviting odder of dog poo! Off to work to load container #1.

Day5. Stu, Marcus and I all headed out to Bonnet Crag. It was a lovely morning and early afternoon ticking and also struggling up some fine and not so fine lines;) that had me both swearing on the inside and out. This had some great climbing and of a size that reminded me of my home crag. Then grab some food and off to work filling container #2. More talking of climbing and very sore arms and fingers.

Day6. With the guys finished I had a day of cleaning before we all meet up for a thank you dinner with the client. I checked out off the hotel and thought I should head down after dinner as far south on the coast as was safe. Later that day Marcus offers his father in-laws house in Kiama which was mighty grand. I had a big day racing the clock scrapping glue off the floor and general cleaning. It left only enough time for a quick cleanup and a change of clothes before we meet. A bit of Mexican food, talking and the usual client dinner stuff, with even a voucher for gear as a thank you from the client. Cool. On the Highway again I headed to Bobs place in Kiama.
Now this begins a long story which I will cut short now.
With a few wines Bob, Marcus & I talk rock, I proudly showed my home crag then Marcus’s shots of Patagonia come out, as well as Bob gives me a few copies of his guide book to Point Perpendicular. My pebbles didn’t seem to hot at this point.
What was even better was a rundown of the Boneyard which was a special place in my heart as it saved my arse in the last few weeks of art school.
This was another late night.

Day7. I woke up early and after a coffee Bob took me out to the headland for a 20+ year reunion. He pointed out all the lines as well as gave some science back ground of the rock. This was a highlight as even before I ever climbed I painted this site extensively and it changed my paintings greatly.
After last night I knew I must at least get a look at Point Perpendicular so I by passed Nowra to get out to the point. Geared up so I was safe to hang at the ledge and take some photos and dribble a whole lot. What an awesome spot, defiantly the best I’ve seen in a long time.
Now onto Tianjara falls in New Nowra. I was glad I skipped Nowra after Pt Perp as the wilds of this area were only really cool in my head. A quick cliff top look then back to my car……….Oh no… I tell myself I should always put my toiletries on top in my gear bag….not the bottom!
Ok on the road again heading for Albury, only a few glimpses of any rock as I sadly drive for many hours. As I was back on the Hume I couldn’t help looking at the unkown huge cliffs on the right then the Holbrook crag. I arrive late in Albury and ready for a beer.

Day8. The last stretch. I pass again the not bad looking Eurora – Seymore road side crags then I went a back road to Castlemaine with a quick bypass to my local crag that is forever changed in my eyes.

In all a great quick trip, I came out of it a better climber in mind and ability and saw many quality rock that showed me where to go again.

Thanks to all that helped!