'Area 51' - Bouldering in Krantzkloof - 11 May 2003

See below the pics for a summary of the days events...

The WaterfallChecking out the routes...Paul psyching up for a hard days bouldering!Brett gets going on Chris' problem
Some general relaxationDale gets onto some rock
Go for it Dale!Chris shows us how it's doneCome on Paul - flexErrol chalking up
Kyle's just cruzingAah.. feel the crimperBrett gets the routeCecile spiders up
give us a smile :)Kyle's on the rock againIvan finds a tree - is that in the route?Chris finds the crimper, but doesn't like the stretch!
Donna finds her spotDale cranking on the hand-jamDonna checks out that hand-jam
She shoots - she scores!Hey - this is a climbing trip!Oh hello - we're just chillin'

The meet was attended by Errol, Paul, Chris, Dale, Brett, Ivan, Pawel, Donna, Marco, Anne, Cecile, Kyle and Abdul

After a reasonable start to the day with us meeting at Stokers at 9:30am, 13 of us met for a productive days bouldering at the illusive AREA 51 in Kloof Gorge. The leaders Paul and Errol (standing in for Scott) were equally as illusive to the whereabouts of this bouldering area! However we all made our way down into the gorge, set at a blistering pace by Errol. Once in the gorge we followed the river back towards the falls searching for the best boulder to begin the day with. On the way up several areas were spotted one such heinous erete, was spotted by Dale, Chris and Paul, upon much deliberation (approx 5sec) it was decided to move on mainly because the rest of the troop had marched further up the river! Coming to the base of the falls, resulted in many of the 'older' crowd expressing their concern of the walk out, especially as climbing the falls would be much shorter option but this decision was left until later! As everyone poked around, Anne managed a spectacular plunge into the mud resulting in a beautiful example of a really muddy shoe! Upon discussion of our predicament it was decided to move back downstream in search of a boulder. A few minutes later saw us settling on a large flat rock area with numerous boulders surrounding it. AND SO the day began...

Paul quickly set up a short crunched problem which was easily dispensed of by most of the group. Meanwhile Errol had set a mean problem on the reverse side of the main boulder. After a few attempts by Dale, Brett and Donna, Chris promptly displayed his hidden strength and flashed the problem. Errol (the main/Psyco route setter for the day!) opened another sharp problem slightly to the left which was successfully attempted by Paul and Dale. By this time Chris had the beginnings of a formidable roof traverse problem which only he could partially do! Monster campus moves to very small edges! Then Errol discovered the main face of the central boulder. Well, that was the last of the easy problems!! Chris and Brett worked a seriously intense roof move on the left of the boulder but a crucial hold broke bringing that problem to an abrupt halt. Cecile set an amazing crimper problem up the main face, however when asked to repeat it by Kyle, Pawel & Co she couldn’t remember the moves to the Dream problem! Nevertheless many attempts saw Kyle, Pawel and Abdul finally getting the problem. Errol busy as ever set four more micro-crimp problems on the main face. Many attempts by all saw a few successful points. One notable problem started with a hand jam to a sloper, the start involved cranking off the hand jam with your feet comfortably nestled by your chin, Donna showed her off her yoga abilities and showed the boys just how to contort your body for the sloper.

A really intense day was spent at the assumed AREA 51 whereby I think everyone enjoyed the beautiful gorge and the excellent problems. A blistering hike out of the gorge brought us safely to our cars and Stokers!

Paul Snook

 

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