Pine Tree Buttress

Top of the second pitch.

Haven't blogged for a while. Have been mostly climbing in the Quarry recently, either soloing about or bouldering. Years ago I have a few sessions on a nice little wall and I decided to get back on it, first I had a to beat a path to it, but I have had about 8 sessions on it now and am making progress, it's plumb vertical on tiny edges and pinches, it really the direct start to a route and I might need a rope for the upper section if I ever get there.

A very hungover Ped and I went and did Pine Tree Buttress on Luggala today. We parked at Piergates - first car parked there - and walked in along the road and then up the river. It's under an hour to the foot of the crag, and en route I found this really great 45 degree wall which has potential for three very nice, indoor style problems.

I had studied the old guide - I don't own the new one - and the photos from the new guide which can be found here. The old guide is appalling, it would be a miracle to correctly follow a route using it. The new topos are ok.

First pitch went grand, I kept going past the belay around the corner hoping to run a few pitches together. But once I got into the V groove the rope kept jamming so I had to belay. A short pitch up a wide crack lead up to the hollly tree below the steep wall. There is an interesting move off the belay stepping right, it took a few goes to figure out, I couldn't find an elegant solution so just got a high foot and pulled. Once over onto the slab I couldn't see any hint of a belay so pressed on up the slab. Clipped a stuck nut and made my way up the slab, it's nice, exposed and there are good holds. This is the best pitch. Got to the grassy ledge, belayed and brought Ped up. Turned out I belayed too far left but it was academic. Last pitch led to the tree, it was ok, I followed my nose and I think I kept to the intended line.

Top of last pitch (our fourth) of Pine Tree Buttress.

Midway I had to place some gear so that Ped could take me off so that he could shit.

The midway ledge is cool, sat around there is the sun for a while, I had planned to do a route called Temptation, but backed off it as it was dirty and I couldn't really see the line. Ended up scrambling up some Diff, walked over the top of Fancy and down the ridge to the car.

PTB wasn't as good as I was expecting for a three star route. The long pitch up the slab was pretty good. The belays are nice eyries with good views but the rest of the climbing was a little indistinct. So was underwhelmed. Would of loved to do one of the classic on the Main Face but need a little more leading under my belt. Next time.