It was a 5 hour drive from Tauranga down to Paraparaumu (aka the ‘umu) – just outside of Wellington, to stay at Motiv Founders Matt and Vanessa’s.

The next day we drove another 1 ½ hours to Turakirae Head for some bouldering!

We parked up and walked for 45 min to get to the boulders! Possibly a little further than the guide implies….. On the way I drank a bit too much water and the search for a boulder without gorse was a little difficult, so that was unfortunate.

Liam found the guide to be difficult and navigating the climbs consisted of walking through a jungle of uncooperative flax, grass and boulders. It made you think everything was a bit of a walk away when really it was 20m away from you! Definitely needs a scale or something!

I threw my boulder mat around quite a bit during this time. But we found the boulders we wanted and Liam and Matt did Tyrant 7c? (maybe easier) while I paparazzied around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanessa sunbathed on the boulder mats and gave us beta…

She is climbing cripple at the moment after having shoulder re-construction. It was sad not having another girl to climb with… fingers crossed she’ll be back on the rock soon. After I scoffed all the food we brought :-D I tried Kash and Karry (7a) and Rotund (6c+) I did Kish Kash.

 

 

 

 

I was a bit disappointed with my performance on the rock, I seem to be lacking in power endurance (though the problems are longer than the ones I’m used to at Froggat).

Liam did so well (maybe because I was being a good cheerleader) making good progress on Allison Wonderland 8a and has got his sequence down, just needs enough power to link and will do it next time fo sure.

Matty made good progress on Fatal Discharge 8a and hopefully will get it done in the next few weeks, IF the rain stops.

The next day I was sick L with some kind of stomach bug? and had to watch everyone down pizza for lunch while I ate Sorbet – by the way the Mediterranean Food Warehouse (42 Constable St Wellington) make great pizza and sorbet.

 

All in all, our thoughts about the trip are that the rock was quite slick and close together, but generally good; Worth another trip down; Loved the walking bit (lol); An ideal long-weekend destination for us. Matt and Vanessa’s is also an ideal bed and breakfast place to stay :p

 

Lesh