The sun was breaking through the horizon while the land was shrouded in mist on this Sunday morning. It is easy to tell that winter is coming due to the mornings starting later and later, I took this image at about 7am and is very typical of the country round here at this time of the year, moisture burning off, flat and full of cows:
This image is taken an hour and 45min later as we were walking into our destination, a place I hadn’t been to since July last year. Bob’s Hollow is a bit of a trek both in distance and also the last section of narrow and rocky 4WD tracks. It’s a long haul to get here, relatively, but is one of the most atmospheric spots to climb, better still no one else was here so we had the place to ourselves (to start with):
This steep juggy limestone cliff has become an extremely popular destination for the Perthites, so often you’ll find a mob of people here. Today a few crew turned up while we were there but they mostly climbed down the far end. Not that they were antisocial (most said hello!) but they wanted the more friendly lines. I was however climbing with Kym and friendly lines was far from his mind. That said we started sensibly on Puk Puk Sen (20 – or UK E2 5c). This is Davo and it is only his third time on rock so I felt bit mean having gone to Bob’s but he loved it here even if the climbing was a tad tough:
I led the first route and it was a sharp reminder as to how steep and pumpy the place was. But my ankle is improving weekly, I’m now rocker boarding it, so it was time to turn up the dial in my training as Marky Mark (the machine) is coming to WA and we are hitting Kalbarri so I need to get strong. Kym is looking sheep’ish here as he took my words a bit too literally and encouraged me to take on Magnus the Robot Fighter (22 – UK E3 6a), a line I have never been on before and one that would test where I was at:
The only beta that Kym gave me was where that crux of this fine line was the lower wall. So with arms still feeling the first line I set off and cranked hard, making the crux look pretty easy. At the cave I squeezed in as best I could to have a rest but my whole body was pretty stuffed by then. So the flash/on-sight or whatever you call it was gone. That’s said despite resting a couple of times I did all the moves, so I only need to work on my stamina before my next attempt:
Couldn’t help but include a picture of Kym seconding me, just to show the steepness of the lines here. Davo decided against trying this one, maybe my panting in the upper half put him off. I was however chuffed with what I managed but also ready to let someone else take the next lead:
So Kym feeling like cranking himself chose another line I’d never been on, Toy Shopping (26 – UK E6 6b). This was really turning the heat up and pushing me into a grade I’ve never managed to get up. Steve you’d hate the first high bolt and after that it was small pockets to a dyno – my response was ‘groan’:
Kym showed us the way making the for him semi dyno look not too bad. After the dyno there were hard moves past the cave and to get established on the slab above where finally things relented. Kym managed to pull off all the moves but not link them, he was however deservedly very happy with getting to the top. The only problem being that it was my turn next:
As I grunted and groaned my way up this line Davo understandable took on the role of photographer and general layabout/relax person. With a view like this you can understand why. Interestingly with the five routes we bagged today I didn’t once turn my head and soak up this awesome view, so I’m pleased Davo captured it for me:
I manage all the moves and even found a static approach to the dyno, and I was very stoked. But it took all of my strength and resolve to top out and yes I also took a few rests. When it came to the slab the sharpness of the holds showed through and, combined with my rock hugging climbing style, they ripped into my knees. My arms were stuffed but waiting for me when I got down were some energy boasting lollies:
Despite feeling completely spanked it felt like we needed another line or two, so we eased off the pedal and jumped on Right Fin (20 – or UK E2 5c) and then Constructive Vandalism (21 – or UK E3 5c). I led the first at is felt sooooo good with descent holds for both feet and hands meaning no more close encounters with the rock. The second which Kym led made my arms ache more than it should have, so we all agreed we had cranked hard enough for one day and wandered back to the car:
It was yet another awesome day out, hopefully we worked hard enough to deserve that satisfying ache and if not we’ll have to crank harder next time. Couldn’t resist a driving image and no the camera is not at an angle, the car is. The track really is rough as guts so I’m pleased Kym doesn’t mind driving in (thanks mate):
I had a choice today, fun at Castle Rock in a social sense or crank hard at Bob’s. The choice was made but that doesn’t mean the crew that headed to Castle Rock are off the hook and I expect a bit of a write up please
Sandbagged 