Namibia, October 07: Slabs and skydiving
by Matt
Stopping
only to shop until we dropped we raced towards Spitzkoppe, desert granite
of our dreams. When we reached Spitzkoppe it proved apparent that everyone’s
dreams were hot, fly-ridden and full of run out slabs interspersed with off-width
cracks. While at Spitzkoppe there were several ascents of Spitzkoppe via the
normal route and some ascents of the Pontok Spitze via To Bolt or Not to Bolt
and Abrasion. Encounters with these and other routes in the area led us to
revise the following terms in the Spitzkoppe guidebook, read carefully to
enjoy your visit...
The Spitzkoppe Dictionary:
1. EASY SLABS: tip-toeing up smooth, high angled bits of rock simultaneously
praying that you won't slip, the rock won't break and desperately trying to
spot the next bolt-a regulation 8-15 metres apart
2. OFF-WIDTH CRACKS: elephantine struggles up wide cracks that have a personal
vendetta against human skin
3. FLIES: demon spawn that relentlessly attack any climber attempting either
of the above
4. MULTI-PITCH CLIMB: dehydration opportunity, you will not pee for days after
this experience
5. STRAIGHT-FORWARD APPROACH: the guide book says it will take 1-2 hours,
in reality you will take 1-2 days to find the climb
6. SIEGE TACTICS: a despicable no holds barred approach to climbing a 26 metre
route involving pulling on bolts, ropes and even resorting to taping together
brooms and mops in a dastardly attempt to conquer a climb: Bonington would
be spinning in his grave (if he was dead). Duane and Joe you know who you
are...
We took a short break from the delights of Spitzkoppe to sample the pleasures
of Windhoek and Swakopmund. There was much rugby watching in Windhoek and
enjoyment of the pool, showers and the friendly bar staff. The Swakopmund
Four escaped for a short but intense period of skydiving, fitting in 8 jumps
in only 3 days. The boys got through just about intact, though Drew did insist
on experimenting with high speed landings, while Sam had such a traumatic
first jump that he had to return to Windhoek to seek solace from the ever
helpful bar staff. Thankfully everyone was reunited after further random hitching
and dossing experiences and BIRT was able to trundle onwards through the Skeleton
coast towards Etosha, on the way we said goodbye to the Atlantic Ocean, celebrating
with a swim and a game of touch rugby (England won!).
| Soussvlei, the "sand sea" |  |
| Climbing the Rhino horn (22) |  |
| Giraffe design fault |  |
| Skydiving above the skeleton coast |  |
An horrific death awaited sailors stranded on the skeleton coast. Still utterly remote and inhospitable. |
|
| See dictionary item 2 |  |
| The magnificent spitzkoppe |  |
