Climbing in the Blue Mountains during winter can be cold. We were lucky to start off on a beautiful calm and sunny morning at Mt Boyce near Blackheath. I was climbing with Chuin Nee, John and Su Li and we were joined by Sarah and James who had come up from Canberra. At Mt Boyce we climbed in the “Abseil Gully” sector. You leave your stuff at the top of the crag and rack up and abseil down.
Sarah (in red) on "Set, Piece' Battle"
First I led up the classic “The Eyrie”. It offers easy climbing in a spectacular setting, starting with a slab and then an arete to a small cave – the “Eyrie”. Then I belayed up Su Li. The second pitch starts with a funky move to get out of the cave and then nice exposed climbing to the top.
Meanwhile, Chuin Nee had led up the nearby “Set, Piece, Battle” and was followed up it by James and Sarah. I just had time to grab my camera and get a few photos of Sarah on the climb. It is another easy climb in a glorious setting.
After this, the wind was starting to pick up as we abseiled down again. We went around the corner to Afghan Wall. Chuin Nee and Sarah climbed “Sweet Seduction in a Magazine” while Su Li led up the nearby “Endless Pleasure in a Limousine”. I followed her up, and then John led it, seconded by James. James also provided some nice photo opportunities. These two climbs, both grade 16 are both very nice for the grade, both about 45 metre single pitches and they each have a lot of nice moves for the grade.
Next, it was too windy to stay at the lower crag, so we went up to Upper Boyce where Chuin Nee led up “Vambrace”.
More photos on my main website here.
James near the top of "Endless Pleasure in a Limousine"