Primal Scream, West face, Remarkables

Lovely Tony B came to visit and we climbed a route  with Michal. Not much ice at the moment and it was hard with rock slabs under snow.

Photo by michalkarnik.com

Me on Pitch 1

Photo by michalkarnik.com

Pitch 3 This overhung chock was the crux, nothing but slab on top, feet smeared on face. Tony let out a primal scream on the lead.

The "easy" gully finish wasn't that easy

Thanks to Michal for the great photo's.  It is a lot of gear to carry.

Blue velvet

Blue Velvet dosn't have great access notes so here's a cheat until new Guidebook comes out. Acess as going to Wye creek. Where the Tarns drain out, head right along the ridge past a shed sized block, then traverse basin and go down gully next to ice.  At top (below rock band) traverse off easiest way. It may go up and down.
Grade 2 170m

Paul at the Base of Blue velvet

In the Hood

On Saturday Aaron and I spent the day together and went on a long easy bike ride around The neighbourhood. Shotover, Arrow and Kawarau rivers. Lake Hayes, Millbrook etc. We of course stopped for Mocha's and cake in Arrowtown on route. Cool to be having adventures, however small, together again.

Sunday I went back to Remarkables Ice climbing this time just behind the ski field and lake Alta. A cool day with the old school crew of Dave , Rupert, Millsy and a new friend Thierry.

We started early. Dawn photo by Rupert Gardiner of Rock n Rambles (Guided climbing/hiking)

Millsy in front of the climbs we did. Roughly 40m. Twin ropes best.

Left. Alta states

Right. White Jism

 The wee slab you see on far left leads to the alta Ego chimney. Fixed Piton here about 12m.

Savouring the sun/ Haslers

Winter storms are forecast for this week so on Monday Alison, Sam, Jess,Estelle, and I went rockclimbing in the last of the sun at Wanaka.

Sam leading 23 at Little Big Wall

Megan and Matthew

Mummy getting in on the mischeif

Also the Hasler/ Davies family came to visit. Riding without trainer wheels, lots of playing in the park, early morning visits in bed....Totally cute!

Fist official day of Winter spent at South Face

Paul at start of Touchdown

Half way up

Top

Touch Down top on left and some stuff we had a play on in middle

( See if you can find the Abseiler)

Ice climbing with Paul . He just Learnt at the Queenstown climning club day last year. This guy is SUPER keen. A very fun way to spend the first day of Winter

Downhill Season over

Sadly the pink body armour is now packed away.

Skyline gondola has finally closed for the season after a suprise extension (thankyou Bike park/ Skyline). Ruby( my bike) and I spent the first 2 weekends of May doing laps down skyline.  I rode with a few ladies I have just met this season and had a great time, as well as a few runs with some of the Guys.

First climb of Winter

Well kind of.
Aaron and I walked up to Lake alta, His knee wasn't up to it yet so we didn't go too far. No ice at Border crag, Altered states  formed but too wet and warm right then. A cold snap and head up there.

I climbed a couple of mixed things. 1st climb I was awful but the next one was better. Maybe because it was so steep I had to use technique or maybe just getting back into the head space.

Either way with carrying rope, draws, screws, rack all by myself since Aarons broken and getting out hanging on the tools it's got to be good training.

Aaron coming up to support me when he can't play..I'm a very lucky girl.
He wasn't really up to the snow walking so if you want to play I'm looking for partners.