5 April 2007
We climbed again today at a crag near Twin Gates. The ropes had been set up on either side of large cave. The rock was perfect, rough and steep limestone with good holds, although the routes were harder than we had climbed before. Some of the kids were a little too tired to climb and spent time hanging out in the cave, chatting or sleeping, but the majority climbed and put in a very good effort. Jelle excelled himself again, climbing harder and longer than anybody else. There was one route which involved undercutting a large jug and reaching for two small holds – a hard move that led to many falls throughout the morning.
Just before we left the crag, our guide Abang – one of the best climbers in China – demonstrated his prowess on the overhanging cave roof.
In the afternoon we climbed up to Twin Gates – a huge slot high in the mountain that had once been used by the Japanese for a fort. All that remains from the Japanese occupation are a couple of walls and slots carved in the rock for roof supports. Climbing up to the slot was hard work – the hill was very steep and the path muddy and slippery. By the time we got to the top, the other group had just finished getting their gear together and were heading off to climb.
We were at Twin Gates to do a Tyrolean and abseil. Stretching from one side of the slot to the other were two ropes forming a type of zip line some 70 m or so above the ground. By attaching ourselves to a pulley system and running off the edge of the cliff, we were able to launch ourselves across the void. Most of us got stuck about 30m from the end of the line and had to pull ourselves hand over hand across the rope in order to join Xiao Sai on a ledge. From there we made a long abseil back to the cave floor.
In the evening we had a BBQ at a local restaurant and then went down to the Li River for a firework display put on by the China Climb staff in our honour. After that there was a little time for shopping. Josh and Brendon hung out in the Lizard Lounge with some of the guides. There they discovered a new use for bouldering mats. These mats fold in too and fasten together with Velcro. There is just enough room inside to catch a small boy like a fly in a Venus flytrap. The boys thought this was hilarious and took turns to be trussed up. Once inside the mats they could fall about or bounce off walls with impunity. The guides carried them into the street and then offered them cheesecake or drinks, which of course were not easily accessible whilst wrapped in a bouldering mat.
