Climb ZA

Hi Guys

On behalf of the MCSA, Andrew Pedley and I are organising a deep water solo comp at Wilgepoort (detail to follow in featured article), we are going to mark out, clean and chalk about 5 lines. We limiting the numbers to 10 per category. You will be taken to the start in a boat and you will have one attempt at 2 lines in the qualifier. The order of who will go when will be determined on the day by Andrew and I. Black diamond, the MCSA and the SA Climbing Academy have provided prizes for all categories. Everybody competes as individuals, no teams. There are no youth categories. There is an entrance fee for everybody attending (both competing and just watching) who is not a MCSA member of R40, for actually competing there is no additional cost other than getting real scared and/or getting wet.

After only 24 hours after posting we already have 7 out of 10 booked for the Hard Core. This includes the likes of Brian Weaver, Ivan Van Der Tang, Ebert Nel, and Falco Filotto [size=50](without their shirts on ). [/size]These are some of Gautengs strongest climbers, all have led over grade 30. So even if you not into competing, come along to watch and be inspired. there is still space in the other divisions.

If you would like to compete, just send me the following info:

• Category (motivate with age, hardest red point and when this was done)

• Name and Surname

The event is intended to be a lot of fun, and not a serious tense event, but safety is a priority. Please, in keeping with the good spirit of the event, do not go practice the lines before the comp.

Neil

I would never make it, but curious as to how many lines there are?

Also learning how to make chalk carriers out of plastic milk bottles to save your chalkbag is a useful skill!

Hi Chris

There are 4 to 5 lines, with 2 pity good. Tell us more about the plastic bottles?

This should be useful:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/climb-skills-h ... er-soloing

Get a big plastic milk bottle with an integral handle, like this



If you cut away the top and the side and leave the handle and the plastic around it, it leaves a decent opening plus a nice bit at the bottom you can fill with a bit of chalk, and the handle left in place means you have somewhere to loop a bit of string or a strap through. You can use a little bit of chalk in the bottom, just dry out and reuse after splashdown. Chalk bags get clogged and useless and never dry out again. I have a couple for use locally, need it more for drying out greasy rock than for sweaty fingers!

This sounds like a lot of fun. Is there any space left?
How good do we need to be in order to compete?

Hi

The places for male Hard Core and Working Class filled up in just over 24 hours, this was amazingly quick. We still have 3 places for female. We limiting the number to 10 per category, otherwise the comp takes too long. I have a number on a waiting list, but unlikely anybody will pull out.

A lot of people are coming to watch and try the climbs after the comp.

Whoa that's pretty impressive.
Awesome. Yeah I'd rather climb afterwards

Hi Guys

We did some research and alas the it seems like the proposed cliff at Wilgepoort is likely to be wet. There is a fair amount of soil above which could feed seepage for some time even if the weather clears. Also according to a MCSA Search and Rescue report, the Wilge river is likely to be in flood which introduces an element of danger. So we have selected an alternative date, 30 March.

We will keep everything the same, format, times etc.

Apologies for the change in plans, but it never rains but it pours. So let’s go with the flow, otherwise we may find ourselves in deep water. This is water under the bridge, but come hell or high water, we will make it happen on the 30th.

Neil, Andrew and the big yellow mouthed (hungry) fish

Good call, or you could have found yourself up a certain creeek, lacking a certain rowing implement

A last reminder that the competition is happening this weekend after the Gauteng flooding required a postponement of this unique and first of its kind competition in SA. Come chill next to the river in some awesome scenery, watch the invited high profile climbers battle it out or give it a go yourself. Details below.

Best spectating at a climbing event ever! Well done Neil, Andrew and the MCSA for a super fun day out - a worthy addition to the climbing calendar. Hope the guys with the long lenses post photos soon!

Guess it was only fair that everyone got wet from the thunderstorm!

Guys someone took (I assume by accident) my black first ascent shirt.
If you have it or know who does please let me know.

David Wade
Cel: 079 619 9010