26 February 2008

Photos from the 2008 Rock Hop (NBS)

The 2008 Baring Head Rock Hop, the second event in the National Bouldering Series, took place on Saturday 23 February. Light drizzle early in the morning eased to warm, overcast weather for the first couple of hours of the competition, then to a hot afternoon with patchy, light cloud — the first photo gives a fair indication of conditions during much of the event.

John Palmer won the "Expert Male" category ahead of stiff competition from youngsters like James Morris and Zac Orme; Amie Jones won the "Expert Female" category. Full results should be posted shortly on the NBS website.

This is a selection of a great many more photos; unfortunately I have neither the time nor the bandwidth to post everything of interest. Everything's copyrighted by me, but if you want to use any of the photos, just drop me an email (pohanginapete AT yahoo DOT co DOT nz).

Click on the smaller photos to enlarge them. Clicking the larger photos will just give you a same-size view of that photo alone.

Finally, if you notice any mistakes, particularly with the names of people and climbs, and with grades, please let me know so I can correct them.

Update, 29 Feb '08: Results have now been posted on the NBS site, as a downloadable Excel spreadsheet (you can't view them without downloading the file). I suspect one error: "Pete Hegasfitter" is, I assume, Peter Bartholomew (a.k.a "Pete the gasfitter") (see him in action in the second full-width photo below). If so, Pete would currently be in 5th place in the series, rather than 24th and 29th.

Action on the Long WallAction on the Long Wall.


Roland Foster on 'Fat Men Can't Jump'Roland Foster on 'Fat Men Can't Jump'












Roland Foster on Fat Men Can't Jump (V5); James Morris spotting on the left.


Pete-the-gasfitter on Split Apple Rock
Pete-the-gasfitter (Pete Bartholomew) on the low traverse of Split Apple Rock (V4).


Near Split Apple RockNeil Parker in action near Split Apple Rock












[L]: Neil Parker in action near Split Apple Rock; [R]: (That's Nick Brown testing holds in the background.)


Matt Bayliss, Roland Foster, & James Morris checking out 'A Show of Strength'Dave Kopp working hard[L]: Matt Bayliss, Roland Foster, & James Morris checking out A Show of Strength (V8); [R]: Dave Kopp working hard.


Roland Foster sends V5
Roland Foster sends V5.


Bits of Roland on 'A Show of Strength'Roland Foster sends V5













[L]: The top half of Roland (on that V5); [R]: the other half of Roland.


John Palmer tongue flagging on a successful send of 'A Show of Strength'
"Expert Male"* winner John Palmer tongue flagging on a successful send of 'A Show of Strength'.
* Yes indeed — that's what the category's called.



Roland Foster & James Morris discuss the moves on 'A Show of Strength'James Morris sends the legendary 'A Show of Strength'
















James Morris and Roland Foster discuss the moves on A Show of Strength, before James sent it. He reckoned he touched an out-of-bounds hold at the top, so wouldn't claim the send, but everyone who saw it realised he'd made the climb harder — after touching it he went back down and finished it on the correct holds. If he didn't claim it, he should have.

James Morris sends 'A Show of Strength'Roland cleans the top holds on 'A Show of Strength'
















[L]: James near the top of A Show of Strength; [R]: Roland cleaning the holds.


Emma Hawke starts out on the low traverse of Split Apple Rock
Emma Hawke starts out on the low traverse of Split Apple Rock.


Bevan Hadler on 'Fat Men Can't Jump'
Bevan Hadler on 'Fat Men Can't Jump'






Bevan Hadler starts out on 'Fat Men Can't Jump' (V5).


John Palmer tops out on 'Chris & Cozy'
[L]: John Palmer tops out on Chris & Cosy (V7); [R]: Zac Orme attempts it...

Kristen Foley photographs the action
... and Kristen Foley photographs it, as James Morris gets ready.


Tomasz Swinarski sends the low traverse of Split Apple RockTomasz Swinarski sends the low traverse of Split Apple Rock
Tomasz Swinarski sends the low traverse of Split Apple Rock
Tomasz Swinarski finally gets the last hold on the low traverse of Split Apple Rock.


Romaric Vincent on Split Apple RockRomaric Vincent on Split Apple RockFrench climber Romaric Vincent (now resident in Palmerston North) on Split Apple Rock.



Detail
What it's all about?


Pete on Split Apple dynoCallum Kennedy on Split Apple traverse







[L]: Pete Bartholomew demonstrates how to get set for the Split Apple Dyno (after having just done it — wearing shoes, though...); [R]: Event organiser Callum Kennedy enjoys the traverse of Split Apple Rock.


? on traverse on the Only-the-Good=Die-Young Wall? on traverse on the Only-the-Good=Die-Young Wall











Terezka Kejdanova traverses the Only The Good Die Young Wall. That's Bevan looking on.


John Palmer sends 'Love Bite'
[L]: John Palmer and [R]: Dave Kopp on Love Bite (V6).


Emma Hawke traversing Split Apple Rock
Emma Hawke on the low traverse of Split Apple Rock (V4).

Bevan Hadler, Split Apple TraverseCraig Jefferies, Split Apple Traverse












[L]: Craig Jefferies and [R]: Bevan Hadler going well on the Split Apple traverse.


Nick Brown on Split Apple traverseBob on a V5
[L]: Bob Keegan on a V5; [R]: Nick Brown puts in the effort on the traverse of Split Apple Rock.


Roland Foster on 'Fat men can't jump'Roland Foster on 'Fat men can't jump'
Roland Foster sets off on Fat Men Can't Jump.


Zac Orme checks he still has fingertipsZac Orme on something ridiculous

















[L]: Zac Orme tries something even John Palmer couldn't climb*, and [R]: subsequently checks whether he still has fingertips.
* Well, JP did seem fairly climbed-out by then. Still, whatever it was, it was hard. Very hard. He (JP) couldn't even get off the starting holds (nor could Zac) If anyone knows the name and/or grade, please let me know (I think it was climb no. 34).
Update: JP tells me it was Tango With the Tumbleweeds — "only" V7. But 28°C and the best part of 5 hours of climbing probably doubles the effective grade.


Zac OrmeRoland Foster













Different generations; both excellent climbers: [L]: Roland Foster; [R]: Zac Orme.


Bevan HadlerJohn Palmer[L]: John Palmer, "Expert Male" winner, wondering whether his fingertips will allow him to climb just one more problem; [R]: Bevan Hadler, possibly wondering about the same thing.


Emma Hawke and the unknown handEmma Hawke and the unknown hand.


Photos and words © 2008 Pete McGregor