A few weeks ago on the 17^th September, Steve and myself went into Cascades to push a climb at Creatures End. However due to the late start and the crap rock – a few attempts were needed for some of the rock screws, we didn’t get very far. So we left the gear in place and today headed back into try again. This time we brought some through-bolts with us hoping they wouldn’t crack the rock or pop out. We headed into the cave at 11:30 and after about 1hr40 we arrived at Creatures End. I’d brought loads of layers of dry clothes with me in a dry bag and my new sealskin skins. So I was actually warm enough for a change while belaying Steve.

Better success was had this time around and Steve managed to make it quickly up to a nice ledge, about 10m up. From there he placed a y-hang. Once safe and off-belay, he did some gardening as the ledge was full of loose dodgy rocks. After he’d cleared some of it away, I prusiked up to join him. Due to a bit of rope rub near the ledge, I had to place a deviation a wee bit below it. Once on the ledge we did some more gardening. At this stage it was 4pm so decided to call it a day. Above the ledge it’s about the same distance to go, though it looks a lot easier and you could probably free climb some of it.

We left our rope and bolting gear in place and headed out. To get to know my way through Cascades, I led on the way in and out and am slowly learning my way – only 4 mistakes between the two journeys. We plan to return on the 18^th November to finish the climb off and hopefully will have a few more join us.