A Grand Day Out F6b – multi pitch slate
Josie Ball seconding the first pitch of A Grand Day Out F6b Photo: Fraser Ball
News of a superb three pitch F6b trip in Australia Quarry has just arrived on the V12 news desk. On Saturday 21st August Fraser Ball joined forces with his son and daughter (that’ll be Archie, aged 8 and Josie, aged 13) to complete an adventurous route running up from the Railtrack Slab to the top of the Fruitbat Level.
A Grand Day Out kicks off with a crux F6b pitch; this starts under the fallen block resting against Railtrack Slab, left of Psychodelicate. Climb the crux slab past two bolts to the top of block, then head up the right trending ramp past three bolts to top out with care onto the right hand end of The Sidings level and a twin bolt belay.
Fraser lead this pitch and Archie lead through on the next, a F5a pitch which climbs up and out onto the hand traverse line across the Psychodelicate slab to a crux move to gain the top and a twin bolt belay.
“An excellent pitch for the grade, in a great situation!” Enthused Fraser.
The third pitch (F6a), which was led by Josie, climbs the ‘harder than it looks’ wall behind the twin bolt belay (on the Fruitbat Level) past three bolts to twin bolt belay, taking care to gain the top.
“This is a good combination of pitches, when approached via the Tunnel of Love, with a scramble up to Railtrack Slab and with the care needed to top out onto ledges gives a sporty adventure.” Explained Fraser.
