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  8. Bowie Rickman Slabs

Bowie Rickman Slabs

(18 routes)

About 100m up valley from Rehab Wall is the Lower Slab and about 50m further is the Upper Slab. Routes are 20m to 40m high on steep slabs with small features (bigger features on the lower slab). Belays are all at the top of each crag on bollards and boulders. The upper slab is too long to rap on double ropes.

Type: 
Wall
Altitude: 
1800m
Aspect: 
North
Walk time: 
30 minutes
Access: 

As descending ridge towards rehab wall turn left and descend yellow gravel slope and cross direct to top of crag. There is a descent ledge cairned leading above the lower slab and finishing at the base of the upper slab. See photo.

New Zealand map

Map, Topo

Lat/Lon: 
-39.271085890000, 175.607042350000
NZMS260: 
T20 350 116
Topo50: 
BJ34 249499
Reference Title Grade Length Quality Bolts Gone Natural pro Edit link
? 10 25m
0
 wire representing trad
Richard soloed a diagonal traverse from left of the start of 'Golden Years' rising to finish above Philip's Project near the middle of the crag.
Richard Knott (solo) 5/3/16
1L Golden Years 15 20m
1.02
 wire representing trad
Near the left of the lower slab climb off triangular plate and trend left up towards a headwall(crux). An alternative finish is to turn the headwall on the left which looks steep but is juggy and protectable. Small cams and mid to large sized wires. belay off bollards around top out gully or climb out of gully to big ledge.
FFA David Garrity, Francis Garrity 17/1/16
2L project
0
3L Scary Monster 15 20m
1.02
 wire representing trad
climb up the right hand prow just left of "Ugly"
FFA David Garrity, Bryce Martin 22/1/16
4L Ugly 14 20m
0
 wire representing trad
FFA Francis Garrity David Garrity 17/1/16
1 Mortons 14 35m
1.02
 4bolts wire representing trad
Line starts just left of the main upper slab past two bolts then through a juggy overhang. Continue up the slabby rock above to bollards at the top.
FFA Bryce Martin, David Garrity 22/1/16
2 New Shoe Blues 14 35m
1.02
 6bolts wire representing trad
Start under the outcrop at the left of the slab and climb the line of bolts passing left of the outcrop. Belay off bollards at the top.
FFA Bryce Martin, David Garrity 22/1/16
3 Can You Hear Me Major Tom 15 35m
2.01
 4bolts wire representing trad
The line following the slab right through to the top. Four well spaced bolts followed by some trad gear for the top third. Wires and small cams, hexes.
FFA David Garrity, Francis Garrity 16/1/16
4 Heroes 17 35m
3
 1bolts wire representing trad
Climb past the one bolt towards an irregular hole. Continue to left of platy section till you find a big spike on a ledge. Big runout from here up the white slab to the low point of the overlap (microcams). Above this there is a 3 camalot placement(or equivalent) and a 5 to 6 size hex placement to protect the easy finish.
FFA David Garrity, Bryce Martin 22/1/16
5 Just For One Day 18 35m
3
 2bolts wire representing trad
crux is passing the first bolt. Climb up past pockets which take good small cam placements. From plates at mid height climb to second bolt and on up through the steep country above , stepping right to pass the overhangs.
FFA David Garrity, Bryce Martin, Philip Garrity 31/1/16
6 Potions Master 17 35m
3
 6bolts wire representing trad
follow the line of bolts up the white streak. Finish on trad through the steep stuff left of a prominent offwidth crack.
FFA Francis Garrity David Garrity 16/1/16
7 Will You Still Love Me 17 35m
3
 8bolts
Climb the plates and features just right of 'Potions Master'. Climb the overhang (staunch) and continue to top through the second overlap.
FFA Bryce Martin, David Garrity, Philip Garrity 31/1/16
8 Station to Station 17 35m
3
 7bolts
Follow the set of bolts just left of 'Slab Happy'. Climb to top, take some slings for bollards and spikes on the last (easy) moves. Bollards at top to belay.
FFA Bryce Martin, David Garrity, Philip Garrity 31/1/16
9 Slab Happy 17 35m
3
 8bolts
Climb the set of bolts below a prominent flake. 7 bolts on the slab and one beside the flake. Finish up a little left with protection slinging bollards. Belay at top on boulders/ Bollards.
FFA Bryce Martin, David Garrity 22/1/16
10 Lets Dance 17 35m
3
 7bolts wire representing trad
Starts 2m right of 'Slab Happy' following a series of incuts and flakes to the headwall with nice juggy holds. Crux between bolt 3 and bolt 4.
FFA Richard Knott, Lucy Knott 30/1/16
11 Space Oddity 16 35m
3
 5bolts wire representing trad
Next line of bolts from 'Lets Dance'. Finishes up steep headwall on a nice staircase. Finish up second headwall.
FFA Richard Knott, Lucy Knott 30/1/16
12 Ziggy Stardust 16 35m
1.02
 2bolts wire representing trad
Start at the end of the slab, climb up to headwall/bulge, climb through small slab above to the top, scrambling towards the top of 'Space Oddity'.
FFA Richard Knott, Lucy Knott 30/1/16
13 Shuffle Shoes 16 50m
2.01
 wire representing trad
Traverse of entire Upper Bowie Rickman Slab. Start up 'Ziggy Stardust' bolts then follow the obvious line of weakness across the crag. Use bolts from various climbs you cross and some trad needed at end.
FFA Richard Knott, Lucy Knott 30/1/16