In November 2014 Whitireia Polytech developed this area as a place developing climbers could practice their skills. All climbs are well protected and equipment is stainless steel glue in bolts. All anchors have ring hangers and approx. 10 metres above the climbing area is an additional anchor allowing abseil access to the climbing anchors. Some loose rock remains on the cliff and helmets are recommended. The Higher Learning Area is the first climbing area you will reach from the car park, after passing The Arch. It is located on the beach, 50m East of Wairaka Rock.
January 2015 Fergs Kayak's kindly donated hardware to add more routes to Pukie Bay and install additional anchors on the slab. Thank you Ian, Jess and the whole Fergs crew for supporting Wellington climbing.
| Reference | Title | Grade | Length | Quality | Bolts | Gone | Natural pro | Link to edit content | ||
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| 1 | Ballad of the Jellyfish | 12 | 7m |
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2 |
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Climb through the blockly ground and up the obvious weakness to a double ring bolt anchor.
Anchor and bolt runners removed 23 March 2018: not replaced as decent rock for anchor not found.
Martin Broederlow,
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| 2 | Get a Grip | 17 | 9m |
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4 |
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Good edges straight up to the small ledge. Step up to crucial undercling then move on to the blunt arête and right to a double ring bolt anchor.
Anchor and bolt runners removed 23 March 2018: not replaced as decent rock for anchor not found.
Sharon Nicholas,
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| 3 | Riptide | 19 | 10m |
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4 |
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Steep start to the huge jug. Tend left up the slab to the ledge then tend right until below the anchor. Reachy moves from here, don't get sucked out left moving to the anchor.
Martin Broederlow,
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| 4 | Apple Crumble | 16 | 10m |
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4 |
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A steep start made easier with attention to footwork! Climb on up on to the slab using side pulls and then tend left to the double ring bolt anchor. The gully to the right has some loose blocks.
Bolt runner removed (placed in block), 23 March 2018. The replacement bolt is not ideal, being in an alcove, but it was the only alternative in the vicinity with adequate rock quality – extender recommended.
Danny Freestone,
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| 5 | Vituperative Discourse | 16 | 10m |
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4 |
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Move through the blocky ground to the third bolt then onto the small arête. Move right to finish up the face at a double ring bolt and chain anchor.
Anchor removed 23 March 2018: no solid rock in vicinity, so a new anchor was installed 4 metres higher, above a vegetated ledge. This new upper section still needs to be cleaned to remove loose rock and some vegetation.
Martin Broederlow, Danny Freestone
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| 6 | Tax Dollars | 14 | 10m |
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4 |
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At work baby. Straight up and right of the scoop. Double ring hanger anchor.
Danny Freestone,
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| 7 | Sea! It's Easy. | 13 | 10m |
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4 |
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Big blocks to a ledge and somewhat awkward move above the foliage. Double ring and chain anchor.
Martin Broederlow,
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| 8 | Wai | 15 | 15m |
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5 |
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Tend up and left before rocking over on to the sloping ledge. Some loose rock above. Double ring bolt anchor.
Mike Robertson
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| 9 | Molti Momenti | 14 | 15m |
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5 |
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The right most route on the crag (not pictured), from under the overhang up and right through the shallow groove. Steep onto the blunt arête and climb up to the ledge. Continue up to a double ring hanger anchor below the big block.
Sharon Nicholas,
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| Ian Ferguson Rocked My Boat. | 11 | 9m |
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4 |
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By donating a stack of hardware to Pukie Bay development - what a legend! To the right of the 'Higher Learning' wall is a large boulder with a short sport route, no surprises with this one, climb from the gap in the rock at the base to reach the ledge. Then up the faint groove to a double ring hanger anchor.
Martin Broederlow,
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Comments
Due to poor rock quality, 3
Due to poor rock quality, 3 anchors have been removed (March 2018). The other anchors and bolt runners have been checked but caution when lead climbing is advised.
Route #1: Anchor and bolt runners removed; not replaced as decent rock for anchor not found
Route #2: Anchor and bolt runners removed; not replaced as decent rock for anchor not found
Diagonal ramp (routes 2-4): Some cleaning of loose rock, but caution is necessary
Route #4: Bolt runner removed (placed in block). The replacement bolt is not ideal, being in an alcove, but it was the only alternative in the vicinity with adequate rock quality - extender recommended
Route #5: Anchor removed; no solid rock in vicinity, so a new anchor was installed 4 metres higher, above a vegetated ledge. This new upper section still needs to be cleaned to remove loose rock and some vegetation.