Sunday 31 May 2020

Bike, Hike, Climb & Swim - Staying Local

Went for our first rock climb for as long as I can remember today - using biking and hiking as our transport to and from the cliffs.


It's only a fifteen-minute blast up the valley on the bike, then a blistering forty-five minutes of uphill sweating to reach the base of our chosen climb on the Atlantic Slabs. It was Yosemite style heat. We had to cover up from the sun and wore caps as well as helmets!


We've done the route plenty of times before, but it was just as enjoyable. The rock was really warm and super grippy.


We swung leads for four pitches and then bailed off the side for a quicker descent, rather than go up to the summit. The lure of the leftover ice cream and cool of the river was calling!


This area of mountainside has loads of quartz boulders and no shortage of crystals.


I found a good one lying in the dirt near the top.


Everything ached on the descent after yesterday's exertions and my feet were so hot. We were both very glad to be back at the bikes, even though we had really enjoyed the climb. We went direct to the nearest swimming hole. 


For once, there was no hesitation in getting it!


The water was a lovely temperature and it was great to be able to be looking up at the cliffs that we were just climbing on.


Nicely chilled, we had a gentle ride home with the wind behind us, to where shade, relaxation, coffee and ice creams awaited us. Perfect.


Atlantic Slabs:
Left Edge, V.Diff***

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