Lead climbing at the Pass

Wow!  What a weekend!

Saturday saw a cloudy start and jackets on as we head from the car up the short but steep path to the crag at Ballater.

Aaron, Luke and Brian were out with me to get geared up for lead climbing.  This was a great opportunity for me to log some more time teaching leading for my MIA assessment.  The guys were happy to help me out since I was helping them with their experience too!

Brian getting into position to take out Aaron's gear.

The sun soon came out and the jackets were off giving us the true Pass style of sunny weather, great rock and stacks of climbing.

Belaying in the sun.

Placing gear on Lime Chimney (V Diff).

Aaron leading Ping Pong (Severe).

Luke loving the exposure!

All three had a nice warm up and quickly grasped the skills and through process involved.  They all have prior climbing experience and a great head for heights!  A couple of routes later with very little assistance from myself on a fixed line; all three were itching to get back on the rock for more!

Looking for the way up! Brian on Jumbled Blocks Crack (V Diff*).

Nearing the top of Ping Pong (Severe).

After leading some easier routes we progressed onto looking at some more complex anchor setup and more technical routes.  As a final wee treat I led a harder route (Stinker E1 5b) for the guys to bottom rope as they were keen to work the muscles hard on something more strenuous.

Fighting through the burn on Stinker (E1 5b*).