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TR Big Bird, The Gib, Mittagong 22-Jul-2013 At 7:53:59 PM sbm

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We went down and did this on saturday.

While the forecast for the southern highlands was 45km/h winds and ten degrees, at least was below the snow line, so the Gib sounded like a fun day out, with Mt Alex as a backup in case it rained.

I somehow managed to wake up at 8:30, despite having a few too many drinks at a small social gathering the night before. I managed to pack eight whole quickdraws in the rope bag, before I curled up in the foetal position on the bed and groaned softly for a bit. Damon came around and picked me up. and soon a Maccas's breakfast provided the necessary grease and trans fat to fight back the nausea and make me feel human again.

We arrived at the Mt Jellore lookout at the crack of noon. It was windy and cold, but it got better the moment we rapped off of the edge, and the base was wonderfully warm and sheltered.

Dodging broken glass and trash, we arrived at the base of the route. Bulti dispatched the first pitch up the little trench and slab, and brought me and Damon up on the double ropes. The belay ledge appeared to hacked out of of some tropical bambo-tree thing growing on the cliff.

Despite knowing better, I accepted the lead, and wobbled up the steep layback corner with some stemming and desperate jamming. On top of the block, I checked out the crux bulge, and had a token attempt or two before downclimbing. At this point it felt like a pigeon had died in my mouth, so I gave up and hauled on the draw and mantled, limbs powered by dehydration, to the belay on the hanging slab.

The wind made communication difficult, so I just hauled on the ropes until the seconds started moving. Aid shenanigans were required by all to get past the crux.

At this point were were faced with the big bird's beak itself. Bulti led the last pitch, and we all enjoyed the excellent position as we scrambled up and over the beak to the top.

This pitch does need more brushing.

Not really a classic, but three stars for weirdness and a welcome change from sandstone, whatever the hell rock it's made of. Closer than the Blueys if you live near the M5. I will get on Sluj Gulpa for sure next time, it looks amazing.