Saturday morning just gone I woke up before the alarm, mind you it was only set for 4:45 and I’m usually stirring by then. It could have been earlier but for the first time that Rongy could remember I chose a later start. My excuse being that it had been a big couple of weeks at work, that combined with the soaring temperatures and blossoming peppermint trees I felt like I had been knocked about a bit. As 6am arrived I was waiting at Welly Dam for Rongy and wondering how much noise to make seeing there was someone camping at the base of the crag:
It was due to hit 39 degrees where we had chosen to climb, but this trip had been organised months back so there was no cancelling. As you’ll know Steve’s sister and brother in law are over, so Jules and I had organised a surprise gathering of climbing friends to celebrate Steve’s 50th, which was a few months back now. Rongy and I started our morning ahead of anyone else and we had soon bagged a couple of fine routes to get the arms moving. Dennis rolled into the carpark as we started route number 4, and by which time the happy camper had left:
By the time Dennis had finished his breakfast and got himself sorted to have a crack at the climb, Howsie and his family arrived who were shortly followed by Mario and his family. It was a time for some people who had never met to get together, as well as getting the crews from the various base camps in the south west together. A gathering that was long overdue. Denis hadn’t been climbing for about a year, but still managed to get up the route with only one fall at the puzzling crux right near the top, just when your arms are starting to tire:
We had organised for people to bring ropes and quick draws, as there were a number of people who don’t get out much. So we had already considered that ropes would be left on lines to allow the less confident to play about without needing to lead anything. Fergus was ready with his homemade sling harness to have a bash, after Dennis. But Frank decided that he really didn’t need to be roped up to have a go. He managed to get both feet of the ground but quick as lightening was back down. Allowing his brother to head up with the rope:
I then jumped on a route that we don’t do often enough, as it feels a little intimidating. Mario had in mind to lead this one. He has been coming up here top roping heaps of routes to get his climbing fitness back, and this was one of the routes that he had been working. But I jumped on ahead of him and surprised myself by getting a clean ascent, I had a little wobble at the crux but managed to keep my balance and held fast. Then Rongy, Dennis and Mario all had a bash before we cleaned this line ready to move onto the next challenge:
Rongy took on the challenging Chasing Mason, another route we don’t often play on. After he came down more and more people turned up including the normally nocturnal Peppy/Busso boulder crew of Lou (who dragged Jake along), Glen, Geoff, Nana, Gav and Moni; as well as some who are seen more regularly in the day time like Craig and his family; and of course not forgetting Lisa. There were a few people who didn’t make it, which sadly included Steve, Jules and Mick. I had an inkling they might not the night before but it was confirmed that morning:
Unfortunately Steve had ended up going into the emergency department. He timed things badly on the first attempt being a Friday night as he ended up not getting seen, having to then go back in on the Saturday morning. Even then it took hours to get seen and did not get out until the afternoon, long after we had left the hot box of the Welly Dam quarry with the temperatures heading above the mid-thirties. It was however too late to cancel the event and so we continued to climb and have fun, and I know Steve would not have it any other way:
As the morning wore on others got their leading head in gear with Dennis managing some fine routes, including an impressive lead of A Walk in Central Park as the last climb of the day when it was getting really hot and sticky. He held his focus despite some disco legs going on, while he was some way above the gear. Gav also jumped on the sharp end for the first time in years, and whether to be away from the crowds or maybe he’s just a sun worshipper, he hit Block and Tackle in the full baking hot sun, the mad fool:
The ropes were going up everywhere but there was also lots of chit chat happening. It was not just a band of merry climbers; as there were picnic blankets out, kids running amuck and Craig’s mob had even brought Murphy and a lamb. Henry was a star when he got half way up Murky Corner. He finally had enough just a bit higher than where he is now, where he turned around and found a rock armchair from which to watch everyone so far below him. Mario and Rongy were slipping off their respective routes, tiredness, unfamiliarity and stickiness all playing a part:
While the climbers climbed, the kids played and non-climbers enjoyed good company and the shade of the trees, there was also a bit of slack lining going on. I definitely saw Denis, Glen and Howsie give it a crack, and while I know I’d be hopeless at it myself it looked like they too could use a bit more practise. That said Howsie’s 180 degree turn was getting pretty slick, that is at least when the kids weren’t shaking the slack line to make him fall off. The BBQs were never fired up, it was all too hot, but there was food floating about to keep the energy levels up:
Then slowly on, just as they arrived, they left. Rongy was off for a dive, Lou and Jake were going mountain biking (and I hear that Lou had a hissy fit, so I’m guessing she didn’t like the tracks), Howsie and Craig’s families went in search of some cool river pools for both the little and big kids, Lisa and I headed home to get to the beach, and others went to sample cool liquid of another form. So while you couldn’t make it Steve we all thought of you and are wishing you the very best, and we’ll have to have a another Welly Dam session for your 51st:
Sandbagged 