Goings on.

OK guys its been a month since my last update, and well, that's because not a huge amount has happened other then Uni. For the first few weeks of classes I hunkered down in Melbourne getting to grips with a return to the learned life. Chemistry is the game, and even for someone like me who likes it, it can feel like quite a drain.

I've been making the trip back and forth between Nati and M-town for the last couple of weeks, luckily accompanied by fellow westie (Horsham born) Chris Abernethy for the trips most weeks. So far the travel is going well, with 3-4 days a week in Nati just keeping the raging country bumpkin inside of me at bay......just......

The weather is finally coming good, ie; getting colder. Projects are already starting to back up. I had a couple of goes on Joshs' as yet unrepeated Substance D (29) at Little Hands, turning his wild, crux dyno chuck into a three move techo-fest. Haven't been back as yet, but will soon to hopefully knock that one off. Destined to be a classic! Arnie and Matt Adams were there also, and along with Josh, the crag looked and sounded like an add for Red Chili! Josh made great progress on his Afro Warrior project, having a Real Thing flashback "That's a personal best" moment. Simon chucked a great little tanty when he fell off the crux of Steal on Steal (28), repeatedly. Matt complained he was pumped in ALL his arms. I was mad fun of because of my retarded attempt at climbing on the warm-up and the shitty rubber on my Scarpas.....just another day at the office/crag.

The next day Joshy and I headed up to the Gallery with the masses. He was keen to get back on Le Petit Mort (29) while I was just keen to get a bit pumped! Mission accomplished. I had a crack at Shadow Death (28) which is a rad link-up of Chasing the Shadow into the end of Le Petit Mort. I managed to climb to the point where Shadow breaks left and Death continues on before hitting the wall. So another route to add to the list of close ones.

I went back to a route I tried with Arnie last year called The Overtaker (29) at Araps with Abernethy, and after a couple of days he managed to smash out the send, while I came frustratingly close, falling at the end of the crux, then going to the top, before giving up with bruised tips. The list just gets longer.

Crux lock on The Overtaker. (Photo: Alysaa Bond)

End of the crux section of The Overtaker. (Photo: Alyssa Bond)

Chris and I also had a few shots each on Groovy (28) a couple of weeks back, both coming very close to funking our way up the route. Happy to say I finally got a win and knocked it off this weekend passed, as did Chris. This was a pretty special route for me because it was one I'd underlined in my guidebook for a good 10 years ago. I've spent very little time on Taipan over my life of climbing, but Groovy was always one that stuck in my mind as a must do, and it was a very pleasing moment clipping the chains on it. Although I did make things a wee bit exciting having a bit of a un-planned slip and cut loose moment looking at the anchors!

PhD student Ashlee-Trevor-Bendy-Hendy huffed her way up the classic Invisible Fist (26) that day too, while Josh just ran laps on routes like The Invisible Fist and Tyranny. 

News of others in the Melbourne climbing scene comes across the desk here at the A-Team HQ from time to time too. The silent Daddy Daytrippers crusher club of Sam Morely and Scott Clarke have been proving that having a kid is no excuse to getting weak. We hear that Sam knocked off So You Think You Can Dance (V11) and Academia (31) during day trips snuck in between fatherly duties, with partner in crime Scotty nabbing Tyranny (29) and Fabios Route (29), as well as Gripmaster (V10) in similar style. 

Nick Sutter finally put his Little Hands Cave project to rest producing Strontium Dogs (31).

And as you saw below, Philby smashed out Koala (29) under the noses of the rest of us. Sneaky pal!

So what else has been happening???? Ive been back out at the lake fishing over the weekend, but to no avail. Although I think I would hesitate at eating any trout of the lake, considering the sea of algae still present! Gareth is back from WA and now a full time, unemployed climber. Great to have someone else around to talk to now.

I'm back in Melbourne for a few days of school then back out west way Wednesday night. Picking up Scoots from the airport and delivering him to Arnies Acres in Moyston. 

Easter is upon us, and so is a couple of very hot days from the looks of the weather report. So once they pass (with study being the most likely alternative to climbing) its back out there with everyone enjoying the best climbing west of Horsham!!

More to report after easter!

Having a crack at The Eye of the Tiger, 4 days after an epic 5 day music festival.
Not very wise.....

An evening of fishing at Nati Lake with Mars and Brendan.

-TheBigAl