Ascents by Will Vidler having Distinct route

And my first 28 isn't a 28, but it is a very excellent rock climb! Three red point burns with one excruciating punt, two warm-up/equipping laps, and one exploratory mission a few weeks back. Thanks heaps to the Rock Gods for creating a route that was so perfectly suited to my interests and stylistic aptitudes, and Paul Frothy Thomson for leaving your gear on and cultivating the psyche! One day i will climb something hardish that is fully bolted...

A bad warm up. One very unsuccessful go in the dark two years ago that didn’t get to the top, one go two days ago, and one go today. Adrian sent Punks so I couldn’t not do it. Quality peanut gallery support from Dad who arrived just in time for the send.

Wrong Movements or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Glen

Managed it third go today. The boulder is pretty tricky, but if you can do it you can do the route. A hard one to grade for sure. Not nearly as bad and likely not as hard as advertised, but still not a great route.

Second go. Actually a really worthwhile adventure. Gear beta was spot on, I placed three 0.5s, an 0.4, a #2, and a #3. 27 feels quite generous considering it only has one hard move down low but that move is probably quite tricky and might feel a bit rude on a 25 or 26. Worthwhile!

Perfect finish to the trip with a team send of this route! Just absolute class and absolute fun, it doesn’t get much better! Stoked beyond belief. I warmed up on it then bungled a move on my first red point go today, but it went fairly easily after that and I felt gloriously solid on the tricky crux up high. I probably owe this ascent to the weather gods for finally bringing some manageable temperatures! Third shot today plus one exploratory lap the other week and three hopeless goes on the freezing day of death. Now on to Vegas and J-Tree!!

Brilliant face climb in my style but probably more like low end 12c regardless. I had one go to equip it, then had a false start on the bottom boulder, came down and rested for 10 minutes then sent it packing. Stoked!

Second go.

Absolute radness!! So stoked to get this done, even if it isn't a true red point tick! First at the grade and on my sendage lap it was never really in any doubt. I got a huge high point on my warm up lap falling off literally the last move of consequence and then crushed it next shot which was my 10th total. My plan is to take a short break from it (partially to let the brutal crater in my hand heal (and also because I need to forget how painful the jumar is before I can face it again)) and then come back for a proper redpoint and a hopeful onsight of the second pitch, which i genuinely think i can do and feel will probably only add about half a grade. Totally my proudest tick to date and an unbelievably rad team journey to have experienced!!

Second go. Pretty jugs

Did pretty much all the moves except for the final crux without too much difficulty. Couldn't figure out how to contort myself at the top in a way that got me to the hold. I'll have to come back to try some alternate beta! Great climb.

Had a very bad time on the first lap but enjoyed it quite a lot on the second. Sharp but some cool moves for sure. Might come back?! (x2)

Another lap after yesterday’s recon. Did the top crux fairly well with Lloyd’s beta which was rad. Maybe if I keep doing single laps on this in a session I will eventually tick it.

Finalllly gave it ago. Took quite a scary fall off the clipping hold at the end of the crux because it was wet. Didn't go all the way to the top, also because it was wet.

These routes get better the easier they feel.

Just one play, pretty cool actually.

Was fairly unimpressed by this. Kinda contrived and just not that enjoyable. Oh well.

This was so so excellent. It’s just like a campus board. Probably a bit of a sand bag, especially if you’re short. My onsight ended at the crux but i did all the moves and had some really excellent linkage. I’ll be back one day for sure. Also the scene of us nearly getting beaten up due to other’s absurd machismo. Hilarious. (x3)

crazy awesomeness with some jumpy jumps and wild jugs whilst fighting off the mega pump

Two goes. I found this very very hard and quite low percentage. Could be psyched to return but it is also sharp and very stop start.

Heinous heinous heinous. One bolts worth of horrific death crimping. Don’t do it.

Ohhhh man. Came oh so close on my second lap! This is truly stunning. Best route in the gorge as they say! Top of the to do list. x2

Just one lap. Managed all the moves with no real dramas. Pretty psyched!

Had three goes on this and it didn't feel too bad. I linked through to the last move of the slab crux on my second shot. For me none of the moves are particularly hard, it will just be whether or not I can do them when I am pumped.

Hard and reachy.

Two goes. Fell off with my hand on the clipping jug on the second. I’ll get it done eventually.

Three laps. Still can't really do the reach from the pocket but otherwise the rest is so so doable. I figured out some different beta but it is hard and kinda sucks. I love this climb but it is all kinda frustrating. Some good procrastination avoiding getting scared on the Waylander crack though...

A few good links on my second burn but it was just sooo cold. Maybe wait for it to get a bit warmer. (x2)

Still the best face climb I've been on in the mountains. TRS working it all out and piecing it together. Had some good linkage but fell off all the hard moves quite a lot too. Three laps and I was shattered.

Miserable conditions day but awesome to have a go on this. Didn't figure out the crux but had some fun seconding the final pitch and throwing myself at the first. Now that it is done and dusted I can't wait for Paul to clean this up as a giant pitch on double ropes.

Lowered off from the top and figured it all out. I definitely wasn’t getting to the top on lead, it’s fully cryptic. Maybe i’ll do it, maybe i won’t, it has 8m or so of excellent slabbing but is quite sharp too.

Did a bunch of the moves down low which was rad but was then stumped by a sequence further on which I pulled through. After traversing left though the climbing didn't appear to get any easier and my body was slowly imploding so I just came down. Feels pretty sick though! Keeeenn