Russ sends Pendragon

Over the long weekend at the end of the month, a group of Gauteng climbers travelled to Rocklands for a bit of bouldering. Among them was Russ Hattingh who immediately set to work on the Roadside testpiece "Pendragon" 8A. He did all the moves on his first session and easily sent the line on his next day on the problem.

National Bouldering League 2007

The National Bouldering League Finals where held near Harrismith in the Free State at a brand new bouldering area featuring over 120 problems and potential for many more. WP league leader Marijus Šmigelskis won the mens open category with the first ascent of the brilliant "Iceman 4000" 7C, Frenchman Theo Vischel finished 2nd with KZN winner Mathieu Schnewly in at 3rd. Julia Davies (JHB) won the ladies open category with Illona Pelse (PTA) and Dominique Dix-Peek (JHB) in second and third place respectively. KZN dominated the U18 Boys category where Benjamin Decharmay took top honors with an impressive overall score and Kate Fairfield of WP won the U18 Girls.

Desperado for Marijus

Marijus Šmigelskis spent a weekend at Rocklands and managed to repeat Klem Loskot's "Desperado" in just four attempts. The eliminate problem was opened at 8B, but Marijus reckons it's much easier and time will tell where the grade will settle. Back at the campsite, an hour later, Marijus sent "Ron Ron et Caramel" 7C+ just before sunset.

A Frenchman in Swinburne

French climber Theo Vischel, who is in South Africa doing hydrological research, took time off his busy schedule and made a fast repeat of Swinburne's hardest problem "Dunce on Fire" 7C in just a couple of tries.

From the Woods

Newlands Forest has seen some more bouldering action over the month, with Edvinas Šmigelskis making a near flash of "Chuck Norris" 7C, and getting the one-move problem on his second try. Marijus Šmigelskis opened one of the long-standing projects at The Classroom, "Standard Grade" 7C climbs the short steep wall just to the right of "Corporal Punishment" and involves a long pull to a small gaston and then up to better holds directly above. Then at The Scree, Marijus opened several new problems with the highlight being "Tokolosh" 7B, which is bound to be a classic.