Climbing at Wanaka

After an Al fresco breakfast, we drove straight back up to the crags at Hospital Flats again this morning. (Actually, we did stop off for a pie along the way). This time we parked up a little earlier and took a slightly longer hike into the 'Little Big Cliff'. Temperatures were warming but, but it was well worth the hike!

The route, was three pitches long and mostly bolted. A team had just backed off the route as it was 'too scary' and we promised to retrieve their gear if we made it any higher than them! Slightly daunted, by this encounter, we set off...

After climbing up to a steep corner, the main pitch involved tip-toeing out along a sloping gangway that led diagonally upwards across the top of the cliffs. Technically, it was relatively easy, but the exposure was fantastic as by this point we were pretty high up and the cliff face below us was overhanging, meaning there was a lot of space below our feet.

We topped out at a very convenient ledge system, where we could enjoy the views of the surrounding snowy peaks and generally soak up the situation, before doing a whopping abseil back down. Because the main cliff face was gently overhanging, once we started our abseil, we were left free hanging in space until our feet reached the ground! All very exciting! 

Once back on terra firma, and returning the other climbers abandoned gear, we headed down to Wanaka for coffee and a stretch out by the lake.

At late afternoon, we got back on the road and drove down to Queenstown. It was another super scenic drive, with some spooky clouds that stretched out thinly across the sky. 

We hooked up with our friends Rob and Susan in Queenstown and not long after arriving in town found ourselves at a BBQ party hosted by the gold panning champion of New Zealand. As you do...