Spent the weekend down the coast climbing. The weather was awesome and it was an all ’round grouse weekend.

After a slightly slow start, we headed down to Nowra, Hospital Rocks particularly, for some beginner climbing madness.

In the end there were about 20 people at the cliff, and about half of them were beginners of various shades. From never-climbed-before through never-climbed-outdoors to not-quite-leading, or thereabouts.

We set a few top ropes, an 11, a 15, something like that. Although all the climbs were harder than their grades as far as I’m concerned. I lead a 13 (?) which was nice and easy, a good way to get started.

We climbed ’til just before dark in beautiful sunshine, there was even talk of swimming, although nothing ever came of it.

Dinner was at Phil’s excellent Pizza joint, with Pizzas delivered free of charge to the pub next door – not bad at all. Eventually we headed to the Animal Park and setup camp, sitting around drinking Port until midnight or later for some.

360º view at Point Perp.

Another glorious day on Sunday, sun shining. We all drove to Point Perp for some wheat-from-the-chaff, men-from-the-boys, girls-from-the-ladies (gotta be P.C) climbing. I wasn’t as terrified as on previous occasions, although we were on the Bayside, which I don’t find nearly as terrifying.

Some more top roping was had, as well as a few leads by various souls. Most of the beginner crowd got up Elspeth and Urban Spaceman, with no troubles – a pretty solid bunch really.

After lunch Jose led Urban Spaceman (13 ?) which I was a little jealous of, but I wasn’t feeling 100% and procrastinated too long. I’ll do it next time.

And so ends another awesome trip to Nowra and surrounds, I’ll be back.