There are many theories about the meaning and origins of ‘two is company, three’s a crowd’, which was first recorded in 1670s by John Ray in his collection of English Proverbs. Digging deeper a Spanish twist exists as a slight variation with compañía de tres no vale res, which directly translates to ‘a company of three is worthless’. Whichever you chose, as a minimum two is all you need to go climbing, and as someone with a low social battery two is ideal. That said I also really enjoy taking images, and for that three is a great number:
Rongy had a rare day off that coincided with Howsie and my usual day to get out, and as such the three of us hatched a plan. Giving Rongy the choice we ended up at Smith Beach, for which we had no complaints. There was talk of ambitious lines being ticked. Quickly qualified with how the rock, body, and head felt on the day. With three I was able to run round to take a few snaps, and brought an abseil line to allow a few closer up images. Stuffing up with the above first line of the day, when I forgot to take my phone with me as I rapped into position:
The proverb I started with has a few extended variants floating about including ‘two’s a couple, but three’s a crowd, four’s too many, and fives’s not allowed’. Sarah made up the fourth person today. However, avoiding being one too many she wandered off to the insta-famous aquarium in the next bay. And due to our relatively early start was exceptionally lucky to have the place all to herself. Returning a few hours later just as David rocked up, after coming off a night shift, shifted the crew into the proverb’s not allowed bracket:
Being consumed in my own world, and making sure I could keep looking down at Rongy and Howsie when they were on lead, the growing numbers did not however noticeably chew into my social battery. Although I was probably not feeling as isolated as Howsie was when he led this gem. One that Craig may recall as being a tad sketchy and run out. At least this time it was not the belayer taking the images. Craig would also likely be the one to point out that in several images that the rock looks to be glistening, which put paid to any of those lofty goals:
And while the prior thoughts of what might be led slipped by a few grades, quite a few for some, Smith Beach still packed a punch on the lines we did hit. Keeping us honest. Watching the three of us climbing the above line, including me slipping off it, didn’t inspire David to have his first taste of climbing at Smiths Beach. However, he was keen to don his harness and boots for the below climb. Unaware of how Rongy, even at full stretch with his gear just below his feet, was only just able to reach what some may described as not being a hold:
I’m pleased to say it seemed that David enjoyed his first taste of this place. Even asking how easy it would be to set up a top rope for when he had a chance to get out by himself. Mind you I also heard him mutter something about preferring to climb something with actual holds on it. And then after watching Howsie making a bit of a meal of the last climb of the morning, as he followed me up, David declined the offer of coming up it. We shall have to wait and see whether David will come to relish or avoid this particular spot:
Sandbagged 