Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
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LGJ
11:53:44 Thu
Sep 21 2006
Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Headed down to Nowra last weekend for what was a bloody excellent weekend of climbing. Finished the weekend off on a great note (for me at least) by climbing Orca, which has some BEAUTIFUL moves, but I didn't like the bolting!

Lets compare: Orca is a *** 18, Korca is a **18 starting 2mR of Orca, and they join up 10m or so up the arete. Orcas first flip is a carrot bolt I'd say a full 5m up from a 1m wide ledge. If you were climbing Korca, you'd have clipped TWO ring bolts before you even got to the height of Orca's first bolt. From there, it's run out enough that if you fell from the next clip (which is the ring bolt on the arete where the route joins back with Korca) I RECKON it would be a ground fall - or maybe if you jumped out you'd fall into the space off the ledge!

I climbed it like this- I headed up Korca clipping it's first two bolts, then reached out and clipped Orca's carrot, then lowered down and unclipped the first draw from Korca. This way I was protected at the start and thouroughly enjoyed it. Heading past the first bolt, I chose to stretch right out and clip the ring bolt on Korca before the next Orca ring bolt, because I thought it was too run out. Yeah they were basic moves on jugs to get up to the next one but...

What are peoples thoughts? Yeah you could always say i'm soft cock, but in relative terms it didn't seem right. I mean, 3 star classic 18's at Nowra are highly travelled right? How come Orca has such a run out first clip? To compar, what about samurai pizza cats being retrobolted with rings, from carrots? Maybe in the bluies or somehwhere a route bolted like Orca may be common place, but I think that an extra carrot at the start, and maybe even one in between the current one and the ring on the arete would be a good thing. Not that I'm volunteering, it's an 8hr drive for me =)

Nick_Kaz
12:31:43 Thu
Sep 21 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Yeah i thought it was runout as well, It wasn't such a bother to me as I'm comfortable at the grade but I can certainly understand your coments. There are however two sides to the story.

On the one hand it is comparitivly easy climbing up the runout bit and once you clip the bolt on the arette its all fine so leave it as it is, on the otherhand it's not in character with the other routes in the area so retro it.

But does the character of route around it need to be concidered, it gets plenty of action as it is and there is always the option of doing it your way?

If someone does go all retro bolty around there why not throw a few in the 24 corner to the left, from what I have herd its smashing but it doesn't get climbed because you need a rack, im all for wigglies but getting a second is going to be a hardie!

Cragx
22:02:55 Thu
Sep 21 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Tell me if Im wrong, but cant you just replace the carrot with a ring to make it an easy stock clip for those inclined....or is it to high for that?

Nick_Kaz
22:41:17 Thu
Sep 21 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
The issus isnt so much the first bolt only, falling at the second bolt would most likely cause a deck as well, and its a looong way off the ground.

Cragx
00:02:56 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Then whack in another bolt (or lower secnd bolt), run outs are fine but decking is not.....if its a sport route it should never be bolted to allow a deck...thats just plain dumb IMHO....be it an 8, 18 or 28.

Ashy
00:28:45 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Orca was one of the original climbs at TP and was bolted in the style of the period which means that you need cams to supplement the first couple of bolts. This was not a big problem back in the mid 90's when you would bring a small rack of cams to TP because quite a few of the easier climbs required a bit of natural. eg most of the climbs on the front slabs.
Nowadays, no one but the odd confused Mexican lugs trad to the crag so I totally agree that Orca needs to be rebolted, just make sure you get the FA's permission (Ant Prehn).

Another climb that could do with another bolt is Psycho Hose Beast on Mortein Wall, there's a very long runout between the 2nd & 3rd bolt, which is supposed to be protected by a cam.

bundybear
00:47:59 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Hey Mr LGJ, (or anyone else)

If you supply some $$ for new bolts, I will check with the FA and replace the carrots and add extra bolt(s). What do you think ?

Click here ==> http://www.climbinganchors.com/Donate.htm

Cragx
01:04:49 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Thanks for the explanation ashy, it all makes sense now....

Bundy get some bolts off Hawkman from my stash and he can take em off my bill.



shawkshaw
01:20:16 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
i was going to say i could provide the bolts as well. there is a little in the kitty at the moment so long as ant agrees.



LGJ
02:08:55 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Yeah that does make a lot more sense after that explanation.

I'd be willing to donate if it's needed. I've still got to pay the balance for my double ropes when they arrive, so I can add a few bucks on top of that if you want Steve.

The doubles are of course for the next time at Nowra - have to remember to take the trad rack too...! (actually the first time i was down there one party member lugged the rack over in the canoe just to climb Barbie Twins - maybe not worth the effort for one climb only but it's a pretty nice climb!)

bundybear
02:36:19 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
I was also planning on rebolting Girls in the Hood at the grotto. We only need 6 bolts for that, so if get can get 10 bolts I wll supply glue, drill and time.

I could complete on the long weekend.

Is there enough in the Kitty ??

shawkshaw
02:58:26 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
ill have to check. have you tracked down ant?

girls in the hood is no prob though

oldandbroken
04:14:28 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
Thompsons has had a history of rebolting without the knowledge/consent of first ascentionists. Other routes have been deliberately altered. For instance:

Appology for Pleasure: Fiirst climbed by Mike Ellims, later recleaned and had bolts/pins? added by the later claiming first ascentionist.

Still Life in a Chalk Bag: Lower part ringed and a lower off anchor whacked in on the ledge.

Killer Boas: Fully bolted and an anchor put in a body length below the tree on the sandy ledge.

Broken and Barbed: Originally on carrots and friends to the top.

To my knowledge none of these progressions to the routes character and style was ever forwarded or asked of the first ascentionist.

Now I have opened my mouth one of you should hit me for some $ for your fund.

These are examples.

shawkshaw
04:53:31 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
so does this mean you dont think we should contact the FA, or not bother rebolting at all.

by the way i believe the anchors on turn your eyes insane were renewed last year..



oldandbroken
05:12:08 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
I reckon if you can get in touch thats the way to go. If the first ascenionist disagrees with you then its up to the rebolter to make the well f0ck em call and go ahead regardless. Personal call.

Who put new anchors in Turn Your Eyes Insane? C0nts.
People keep doing this stuff and climbing might end up fun!

oldandbroken
05:13:35 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
I reckon if you can get in touch thats the way to go. If the first ascenionist disagrees with you then its up to the rebolter to make the well f0ck em call and go ahead regardless. Personal call.

Who put new anchors in Turn Your Eyes Insane? C0nts.
People keep doing this stuff and climbing might end up fun!

That long since I did Orca I dont have an opinion. I do believe first ascenionists dont own the crag.

Cragx
05:32:27 Fri
Sep 22 2006
Re: Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
I hear the FA of Turn Ya Eyes insane is some old broken wanker anyway...so why would ya ask him???????



Orca, Thompsons Point, Nowra
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