While climbing in caves offers protection from the rain, the climbing tends to be overhanging and very, very tough. Not having any other choice we decided to set off up one of the very few 'easy' climbs to warm up and get accustomed to the type of rock and style of climbing.
We set off up 'Dave', a steep but short grade 20. After sending the tough but manageable route we looked for our next effort. We settled on 'Crazy Horny', a 10m grade 25. After a long time spent working the route, slowly making progress up and through the overhanging climbing, I ran out of energy / strength / endurance at the second to last bolt and had to admit defeat. It felt good to make progress on a climb far outside my grade, and I think another few attempts would have it sent.
Chris made it to the anchors after a lot of hard work, we called it a day as the sun was getting low in the sky and made our way back home for a huge, much needed feast.
We returned the next morning for another attempt at a different route. We had eyed off 'Beers, Boobs and Jerky' (24) the day before, and with no-one else around I jumped on.
It was another very steep route that involved lots of heel hooks and desperate lunges to big holds. A hard, overhanging, sharp and sweaty climb, but eventually I made it to the anchors. It was great to send such a high grade (for me) but it was definitely not a clean climb, with plenty of rests and aborted attempts. Still, I was pretty happy to make it to the anchors, and with my hands taking a beating the day before I was content to call it a day.
He sent the route and decided to have a bit of fun on the way down after clean the hardware off the route.
Although I climbed less than 30m the whole weekend my body felt every metre. It was great to finally visit Mt Coolum, and it is an amazing place to climb, with fantastic rock, friendly people, the physically toughest climbing I have attempted. Being only 90 minutes from Brisbane I will definitely return to get upside down again!!
Another great weekend, more photos here
