Into the Drink

Eager to get out onto rock again, this time I decided to go to Portland for some sunny Deep Water Soloing (DWS). Luckily, some Vaux regulars were keen to get out and join me. Weather was beautiful despite the report telling us that it was going to be tipping it down, in fear of the rain, we still ventured out to stair hole to begin the fun. Unfortunately we timed it rather wrong as the tide was going out, still cracked on anyway, warming up on the 80m 6a the Maypole. Battling with the greasy and wet insides of the arch, I was luckily the only one not to drop in the drink! Later, we tried going over the top to get to Horny lil' Devil, Stage Diver, and Animal Magnetism but backed down as the approach was rather intimidating in the low tide. Instead, we attempted the Maypole in reverse, which I found easier.... Apart from exiting the other side on the arch where you come to a long railed crimp that you lay back off of out to a jug, and then break half of it off and fall in...

Feeling a little shaken from the freezing depths of the sea that came rushing in we decided to grab lunch and hit up the Cuttings for some good ole sport climbing. As soon as we get there I start eyeing up this 7b that I attempted last year, Sign of the Vulcan - this cool route with an easy start, some micro crimps an arête and a big move to a split pocket. I've definitely set replicas of some of the moves from it a few times! But not feeling keen to try fully on-sighting it, I tried the 7a next to it when annoyingly, a little drizzle decided to come in. Getting tired we head back for a bbq and some brewskis at The Smugglers Inn.

Day two, we try the DWS again over at Portlands lighthouse area, and yet again, going during low tide. Got on this one cool easy route with a large drop and got some good footage from there. Yet again backing out of the harder stuff, we went to Battleship for some sport in the last hours we had. Just getting mileage in so nothing too hard yet again. 

 

Day three, we planned on going for a little boulder in the Cuttings, but the rain hit. Heading home and to get some last minute climbing in, a short stop at Craggy Guildford would suffice. Really good trip with 'the tribe', will definitely go back to work on some harder routes and do some proper Deep Water.