Musings of an 'ole cobber

Don't really know where to start here. It has been quiet a while since my last short lived hype up of the century. I believe it was this time last year I began raving about that little route Punks in the Gym. Well, yep. Since then there has been about squat climbing done by me. I believe it could be summed up best like this....



Besides, now that its been climbed by a short ass Taswegian and a father from South Australia (EDIT: OFFICIALLY VICTORIAN), its really lost a lot of the luster it once had. Chuck it in the trade routes box, along with Serpentine and Tickle-me-Toe Ridge I say!

So between then and now, what have I been up to? Well, there was a sudden, self initiated departure from the Fruit and Veg job I was so lovingly in hate of. A coastal sabbatical period of reflection, drinking beer, and catching fish. An undercover return to Melbourne, of sorts, settling down out west in quiet, old, Sunbury (the birthplace of the ASHES!), yard work, casual jobs, and then finally packing my lunch for my first day of University in March. In my 180 degree inside out back flip of lifestyle, I chose learning over money, enrolling in Applied Science at RMIT. One semester in, and McLovin' it.

The return to climbing has been slow, long and enjoyable. Getting over a drawn out back injury from last year, a triumphant return to the climbing world was momentarily put on hold when I shortfixed myself on a route and eagerly dynoed, smashing my big toe in the jolting fall. Needless to say the crag was packed that day, and Josh rolling around in the dirt in fits of laughter didn't help either..... It was pretty funny though.

So now the toe is pretty much good with the aid of painkillers. I've been getting out to Gramps a fair bit lately bouldering with Joshy and anyone else who can put up with the 2 of us. I'm already setting my sights to the high and scary stuff again. Orca has been relieved of the vegetation that had been sensually grinding up and down its tall, bulging, rock har....... errrrr, arete. I've also scoped myself a new route that had been hiding in plain sight. Desperate face climbing, ground fall potential, pebbles, pockets, tuffas, Mt Brown, MT BROWN!!!! But both projects will not go easily, so don't hold your breath for quick ascents. You'll probably suffocate. Unless you can hold your breath for like, a couple of months. Then good on you! Congratulations! You're obviously not human. I'm calling ASIO.

Joshy has some video from the last couple of days out bouldering. He'll put them up at some stage I think. I managed to tick Caffeinator (V8) at Kindergarten area. Kiwi Richard Dale aka Sticky (Mcgoogoo) knocked off Stimulation (V13) in The Cave. And South Australian (SORRY, AGAIN, VICTORIAN) technitian Steve Pollard continued his good form with sends of Sleepy Hollow (V12) Viva Resistance (V10) Mungoes Roof (V9) a flash of Bridesmaids Anonymous (V9) as well as Caffeinator. And with the expected arrivals of stong NSWers soon, Victorians seem to be loosing the battle! (Ok, so I'm exaggerating a wee bit......But surely you all know by now not to believe anything I write here!)

Thats all from me. Now, Go The Fuck To Sleep.



- TheBigAl