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The Altar @ Church Bay

Type
Altitude
100m
Part of

A wee crag clearly visible from road on the way towards Daimond Harbour. The climbs are generally about 10m high and bolt protected.
It was intially developed by Simon Courtois and Dave Shotwell around 2008/09.

Image
Walktime
5min
Aspect
West
Lat/lon
POINT (172.723639 -43.635329)
Topo50
BX24 777 686
Access

Park just east of the small bridge. The track starts just west of the bridge. Follow the track up the creek then cross the creek. Go uphill and there is a bit of fixed rope to get around the right side of the crag.

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Routes

Reference Title Grade Length Pro Quality Operations
HF Holy Fatima 20 10m 3
1.02
MC McChurch 27 3m 4
1.02
FI False Idol 31 10m 5
1.02
The Power of Christ Compels You 29
0
AB The Alter Boy 27
2.01
Ca Charismania 32 8m 6
0
Kneel to the Pope 30 10m 6
0
David and Goliath 27 10m 4
2.01
SP The Supreme Pontiff 30 8m 4
1.02
TH Thor's Hammer 21 10m 4
0
TP The Pulpit 17 4
0
Werewolves Of Diamond Harbour 17 10m
0
CG Catholic Girls 19 10m 4
0
HG Hindu Love Gods 20 5
0
RR Rasta's Revolution 23 5
1.02
Ad Altared 24 12m 3
1.02
Moroni's Blues Band 20 4
0
Joe's Route 20
0
RC Randall the Horny Clergyman 21 4
0
Face Scratcher 15 10m
0
Comments
goonie

Me and Ferg girdled this the other night. Two pitch (15)

Thu, 07/04/2022 - 14:34 Permalink
ascott

Church Bay's answer to the Wimmera both in terms of the immaculate rock and thought-provoking body position climbing. Just not long enough! The projects look amazing... and hard! Pulpit (~17), Catholic Girls (~18+), Hindu Love Gods (~20), Rasta's (~23), Randall (~20+). Numerous single ring anchors.

Sun, 24/02/2013 - 15:31 Permalink
Lindsay Main

I've added the three trad routes and made some minor edits, including grade changes to bring them more in line with the consensus between Simon and me. I think Catholic Girls and Hindu Love Gods could move down a grade, but have left them as originally graded to see what other people think.

Mon, 18/02/2013 - 22:08 Permalink
steve.skelton

Just visited The Alter today and loved the place! Great rock, beautiful environment and fun climbing. Where is there more of this kind of rock around CHC???? It's a shame the routes are only 10 m. I thought I'd put in my 2 cents on the grades etc. as Simon mentioned. I thought overall they were a bit soft, however some were right on. Thors Hammer, yes 21, Catholic Girls I'd say 18. Hindu Love Gods, Yes 20. Rastafarianism 22 1 STAR. This route is awesome and would be a three star mega-classic if it was 30 m, but I don't on-sight 24 off the couch... EVER! Randal... Yes 22 but maybe a bit soft. Thanks for all the hard work in putting together a quality climbing venue.

Mon, 19/11/2012 - 00:07 Permalink
Simon Courtois

Hi, It is good to see The Altar in your guide. I've added the route names from our 1st ascents in 2008/2009. The grades have not been changed and differ slightly from what we had thought originally. When more people climb these routes, we will have a better idea of what the grades should be.
2 gear routes exist, and that was how we accessed the top of the cliff. Not recommended.
Thanks, Simon Courtois

Sat, 12/05/2012 - 13:27 Permalink
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