4wding and Hiking Around Mt Beerwah

Just a few photos from my hike around Mt Beerwah looking for some climbing spots. Lots of fun 4wding and bush walking involved.

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Dog Day Afternoon, Pages Pinnacle

Summer has arrived, Lukas and I decided to take a trip down to the Gold Coast hinterlands to find some shady climbing at Pages Pinnacle. We started the day with the climb 'Party Girls' (19), a fun route up a corner wall. I was climbing well until I was within arms reach of the anchors when I peeled off the wall and took a decent fall 1/3 of the way down the route. Instinctively grabbing the rope I manage to burn through a few lays of skin on my index finger, but finished the climb in the end.

Lukas had no problems on-sighting the climb.

We then made our way further along the wall to climb 'TOS' (18). I had climbed this route before, but this time I continued past the anchors to the 'TOS Extention' (21). This was a lot harder than I expected, I took a lot of rests and falls trying to figure out the steep, pumpy, crimpy crux. Against better judgement I persisted and finally managed to finish the route, forearms and fingers devastated from the abuse. At least I got some practice in taking falls, but my stamina was severely depleted.

After Lukas climbed 'TOS' we took a short break while the sun was overhead, then attempted the slabby 'Striptease' (20). A different style of climbing, I enjoyed sending the route but couldn't finish it clean, having to rest on the bolts near the end of the climb before my hands gave out.

We then climbed 'Are We Dancer' (19) and 'Rock n Surf' (17) as a warm down for the day. Short, committing climbing with big holds right where you need them, it was a great way to finish the day.

We hiked back to the car, drove back along the road that skirted the Hinze Dam and tried to procure a coffee for the drive home. Finding the nearby cafes closed, we asked the proprietor of a small pizza shop if he sold coffee. "No I don't, but because it's not busy I can make one from my personal espresso machine". The Argentinian owner (given away by the prominent Lionel Messi posters on the wall) disappeared behind the counter and a few moments later appeared with some piping hot cappuccinos. We delayed our plans and stayed for a delicious pizza, thick with cheese and toppings. What a great guy! I'll definitely stop by next time I'm in the area.

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Mt Ninderry climbing

The long weekend had arrived! I left Brisbane on Saturday morning and drove north to spend some time climbing on the Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately it seemed like half of Brisbane has the same idea to leave town, so traffic heading north was pretty terrible and I arrived an hour and a half later than expected. On a positive note, I left overcast skies and arrived to glorious sunshine, sea breezes and the sounds of crashing waves.

After unloading fishing rods and surfboards, Chris and I went to explore a nearby crag on Mt Ninderry. After a steep, sweaty hike we arrived to the mosquito infested walls, and began our search for something to start the afternoon off with.

We settled on 'Neo Nasi Goreng' (19) a great climb up an exposed edge rock. A really fun climb to start and it had great views to Coolum once we got some height.

Feeling good but conscious of the time we decided to check another wall on the mountain where 'Three Stroke Scree Slope' (18) caught our eye. It was bolted on a really interesting looking rock formation, with plenty of bizarre looking but solid holds.

I topped out as the golden afternoon sun started to filter through the canopy so after getting back to solid ground we made our way back home feeling like we had a successful afternoon.

We returned the next morning, not looking forward to the steep, sweaty hike but anticipating getting back on the rock. We started up under a nice short overhung wall, and climbed 'Hangover Overhang' (18) as a warm up. The steep climb was a very run out after the second bolt, but after committing to pulling over the crux it was only a short distance to the anchors.

'Have Another Home Brew' (19) was a different story. It took quite a few tries before was able to find the sequence up and over the crux, my forearms were burning by the time I successfully finished the climb. It felt great to finish the route, but I'll need to work on my climbing stamina before I'll be able to finish that climb without resting.

Temporarily having our fill of overhanging walls we made our way to the 'Sunset Butress' to find some more routes. I started up 'Leo's Slab' (19) and made it to the third bolt before getting stuck. I'm almost certain a crucial hand hold had been recently pulled off, and in the process of searching for another hold I pulled loose another piece of rock. Not wanting to give up I decided to veer left, bypassing the next bolt and rejoining to line shortly before the top. I finally reached the anchors and we greeted by a stunning vista of the surrounding areas while I was tucked into a small exposed cave.

I set up a top-rope and belayed Chris up so we could rest in the cave and take in the view. An absolutely stunning end to the climb!

We abseiled down and decided to finish the day with one last climb. We climbed the first pitch of 'Fletcher in the Sky' (18) before calling it quits for another day.

Tired, sore and sweaty we made it back down the mountain, and headed back to Coolum for some well earned beers.

A phenomenal long weekend, I can't wait to return!

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