Driving out shortly after 5am, the radio broadcaster was talking about all the glorious sunrise images listeners were sending in across the south west of Western Australia. I didn’t send an image of my view to them, but did stop to take a quick snap. Mist clung to the ground, while the hues of the morning sky changed. Sadly all too quickly, not allowing the time needed to truly savour the varying colours. As someone who enjoys a good sunrise or sunset, living at a latitude of approx. 33.5 degrees they really don’t last long enough:
A particular climb at Wilyabrup was calling to Howsie, therefore this is where we found ourselves. Tackling the first route a bit after six thirty, and only having four hours before we had to be hiking back to the car. Needing to get back by midday, we were on a timeline. For this reason I had half expected to be further in our journey by the time light had filled the sky. However, feeling a little weary Howsie felt that setting the alarm for 4:30 was early enough. To be honest I’ve also been pretty pooped this week, maybe due to the warming days so didn’t mind at all:
I may also be feeling my big day at Bob’s Hollow last weekend. My shoulders not being used to that kind of climbing. After all the bolt clipping of that trip, it was nice to get out with the trad rack. There is something satisfying about getting a piece of gear in, something that using bolts just can’t emulate. I also got to use my crag booty from Queensland, a long draw with a carabiner that has a built in roller. Poking out from under the final undercut headwall. The idea of the roller being to reduce friction as the rope moves through the carabiner:
For direct lines such as these there is little benefit. However, it would feel great not having to battle rope drag on climbs that meander about, and for which it is hard to keep the rope alignment relatively straight. These sort of climbs are very rare locally, which may be why I’ve never invested in this bit of kit. There are so many options for different types and styles of traditional climbing gear, and some people just can’t resist keeping up with the latest fad. A bit like a dedicated follower of fashion, who needs to change their clothes to stay in vogue:
The first line felt fairly damp and insecure. This meant the route that had been calling out to Howsie, before we got here, was now only whispering very faintly to him. Unsure of what to do next, I suggested heading to bottom end of the crag. Here the rock changes from clean slabs and faces to blocky three dimensional features. Cracks, flakes, corners, overhangs, and arêtes awaited us above. The climbs here don’t get much attention, but deserve more. Providing exposed and exhilarating climbing, which was enhanced today due to the dampness:
From our lofty stances at the top of each climb we looked out to sea. Dolphins cruised past when we first arrived, and the very occasional whale could be seen breaching way out. I was however, also looking at the shoreline. It was a relatively low 1.4m swell, and after my snorkel last weekend I had suggested we take our gear down just in case. The sun came and went, as the broken clouds blew in, while the sets of waves kept their own rhythm. There were certainly periods when the sun hit the water as it flattened out, making it look inviting:
Other times the wash and darker waters looked less inviting. As the conditions fluctuated our enthusiasm to snorkel also waxed and waned. On the plus side, with three routes in the bag Howsie was keen to jump on Totally Awesome. The climb that had been calling to him. This saw us move back to the vertical faces, which most climbers seem to like to stick to. It may seem a pretentious name for a route, but it is very good and deservedly popular. It certainly felt good today, made all the more enjoyable due to the open face having dried off nicely:
This was due to the onshore winds having picked up. Great for climbing, but no so great for snorkelling. A time check told us that we only had an hour left. Enough time for two lower grade routes we have done countless times, or a snorkel which we had never done here before. It was decision time. We plumped for a swim, heading to what had looked earlier on like a good spot to go in from. This was based on when we had arrived and it was calmer. I went in first but didn’t far, clinging onto the boulders as wave after wave pummelled me:
Undeterred I finally got out and we rock hoped along a bit further. Finding an abalone filled rock shelf, from where we could dive straight into the deeper water. Once in our focus constantly switched between watching the waves some of which we had to dive under; how close we may be to the boulders and whether they had barnacles on them; and of course looking underwater to see what life there may be beneath the surface. The water was reasonably clear but the fish were relatively absent, maybe hiding somewhere less turbulent:
With our attention being pulled multiple ways, we didn’t see too much life. No matter, it was certainly fun and on a calmer day it would be a great place to do more exploring. At one point it seemed the waves were abating, so we headed to what looked like a good place to get out. Something I made much more of a meal of than Howsie did, but we got out unscathed or so I thought. And in case you were wondering about the reference to barnacles, well this is the reason. Unbeknown to me I much have brushed against one, resulting in a clinical cut:
Sandbagged 