A pleasant area: sunny, sheltered from southerlies and often escaping the worst of the northerlies. Despite being less than vertical, these slabs are not all easy – the holds are small to compensate for the lack of angle. These climbs are tests of delicate footwork and mental control. Some bolts on top make it possible to top-rope these routes, but they are not beginners’ climbs.
Routes
Reference | Title | Grade | Length | Pro | Quality | Alert | Operations |
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1 | 1Pedestal, VE | VE | |||||
Climb from the pedestal. Nice moves but be careful of the landing. |
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2 | 2Left Left, V0 | V0 | |||||
The best route on the slabs. The landing is better than it used to be, but you still wouldn't want to fall off. After a few thin moves at one-third height, perfect holds materialise just as you need them. Top out straight up. |
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3 | 3Right Left, V0 | V0 | |||||
An easy start leads to thought-provoking moves through the ledge and bulge. Finish on the rib bordering the chimney. Unlike the left-hand route on this slab, people have fallen off this route and survived. |
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4 | 4Slab Chimney, V0 | V0 | |||||
This always seems to sucker people into thinking it is an easy climb. It is neither easy nor particularly pleasant. Most people get stuck at about half height and have a horrible grovel. |
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5 | 5Cripple, V1 | V1 | |||||
Scary and uncompromising. The overhanging face and blunt arete on the right side of the chimney. No bridging for the grade. |
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6 | 6Left Right, V0 | V0 | |||||
Classic. An excellent sequence uses a vague diagonal crack to gain a good flake about 3m up. Good, sometimes well-spaced holds follow. |
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7 | 7Right Right, V0 | V0 | |||||
Sustained climbing on thin edges. |
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8 | 8Slab Arete, V0 | V0 | |||||
A pleasant number. Climb just right of the arete using a series of horizontal breaks. Stay close to the arete – easier climbing lies further right but so does a bad landing. Mantle the ledge near the top: a secret hold around to the left makes this feel secure. |
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9 | 9Seaward Slab, VM | VM | |||||
On the back (seaward) side of the boulder, climb the rib on the smooth-looking face. Beware slightly brittle rock. |