Two weeks ago the CAWA flea circus (of about 12 people) headed to Mt Frankland, the abode of the hideous slab which is either slimey wet or fryingly hot. The weather threatened to dump but for once, Odin delivered and conditions were good, Special K even, not too heavy, not too light, just right. Due to a lack of empty campsites we all clustered in the middle of the Fernhook Falls campground, which worked out just fine. Main highlights, in no particular order:
- MacPacChik (nee Tigervet) cooked for both evenings, Kelly washed to dishes, I sat by the fire with the men. Things were as they should be, in their natural order.
- Mmmm, home made caramel slices. Evil but nice.
- Eric the Fireman tirelessly stoking the fire.
- Ishmael (Richard) bravely leading up Saracen (19). To get to it you have to climb the crux of Hannibal (20), so go figure the grades....
- Kyles' growing bump:....so your sister is a yoga instructor? ...........help meeee!!
- There is only one Brian.......he can climb sport 28 but also enjoys leading grade 16 slab and long abseils.
- Brian the Scavenger (the dinner version of Brian the Versatile). "You have spare food, yes?"
- Braveheart (lets not use the real name) getting stuck 1m above the ground when his absail rope came short. Rescued by MacPacChic and Bob Gnarly who told him to climb the fuck down.
- Francis tolerated his way throug Day One, whinged through Day Two and hated Day Three, despite of being named after the mountain (almost). Yeah, slabs.
- Kelly's swan song. Back to the land of the unhappy seals.
- Mario.....something funny always happens with Mario but clearly I was not present this time.
- Walley...I have retrieved your carabiner and bolt plate :)
- me taking two hangs on P2 of Hannibal (20) and one on Butterfingers (20). Considering I have spent the last 2 months in the climbing gym I was glad I could still "speak slab" at all. Onsighted the very long Matt and Jim route L of Hannibal with the even longer name. Did the whole thing in one 60m pitch, with a few small cams for protection and belay. Nice climb.
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