Trip Report
Ozymandias Direct, Mt. Buffalo Australia
Tuesday March 21, 2017 7:58pm
Australia's iconic big wall, The North Wall (south facing, so little sunshine in these antipodes) is the longest section of cliff of Mt. Buffalo, about 1000 feet of vertical granite. First attempted by John Ewbank and Chris Baxter in 1969, Chris later teamed up with Chris Dewhirst (apparently much to Ewbank's consternation) to climb the first ascent of Ozymandias. In 1972, Geoff and Alan Gledhill took the more imposing direct line through the big roof midway up the face, finishing at the Wilkinson Lookout, creating the route now known as Ozymandias Direct.

Last year, as I was beginning work on the new D4 portaledge, Simon Mentz suggested teaming up for an ascent of Ozymandias Direct. I heartily agreed, not really thinking about the fact that I hadn't climbed a wall for nearly 20 years. I rarely get out on hard climbs these days, preferring to enjoy easy and moderate climbs with my boy. But when the time came, and after a week of "getting in shape" at Arapiles, I was ready for the adventure. Luckily Simon is an ultramarathoner, and hardly complained when I loaded up his haulbag full of all but the rack and one rope for the descent to the base, as the most daunting thing about getting back on the big stones for me is my diminished capacity (at age 57) to carry the back-breaking loads of all the crap one needs for a big wall.

We hiked down around noon to the base, which took a few hours of bush bashing and finding the best trail down the stepped canyon. We were grateful for the many cairns and the short sections of fixed ropes, which helped dropping down ledge systems with our heavy packs. There was a running creek where we filled our water bottles. Then we fixed the first two pitches (60m), and had a night at the base, which is not a great bivy with only a place for one to sleep--as I had been sleeping in my portaledge solo the whole previous week in Arapiles, Simon took the portaledge for the night, and I perched myself on a tiny platform on the edge of a long and steep dropoff for the night.

The long corner which creates the second and third pitches is a pinched off crack and must have been mostly knifeblades on the first ascent--it was hard to believe it had had so much traffic in its early years to create the shallow, sloping pin scars that opened up enough to allow it to go clean in so few years, but in 1975, Rick White and John Hattink climbed it without hammers all clean. As a clean route, we found it fairly technical, C2+ or C3, requiring moving up on reasonably long sections of tipped out tiny RP's and stoppers, along with the occasional micro cam and camhook.

Once we got to Big Grassy at the top of pitch 3, the cracks become more reasonable. We took the arguably more classic line of Ozymandias for a pitch (C1) before traversing back on a more recent bolt ladder (as part of the free route) back into Ozymanidas Direct, and made it to the top of pitch 5, under the huge imposing roof midway up the climb. We set up my new D4 portaledge, and settled in for the night.

The next morning the internet (amazing big wall tool!) told us of an oncoming storm, and the skies did look threatening, so we decided it would be best to sit tight for a day to let the storm blow over. All morning it seemed okay to climb, even got sunny at times, but around midday it dumped hard for an hour or two, and we were glad to have the justification of lying around all day in that spectacular spot. Plus the day off gave me time to post some live updates to the D4 Portaledge Kickstarter, as it was so novel to me to have the internet while climbing a big wall. The roof above protected us from the elements, and we didn't even need to deploy the fly. Besides, it was a great way to "get-to-know" my new design. I was really pleased with the strength and stability, and also how easy it was to deploy and pack up. Made portaledge living much more enjoyable. [See post #191 on this thread for more on the first report/thoughts of the performance of the D4 Portaledge].

After the full rest day lounging around on the portaledge, Simon led the roof, which has a large seemingly loose block at the lip (it's solid), and sharp edges (though the rope runs naturally around a rounded edge), which had seemed so imposing the day before, but went without any issues. The block reminded me of the Paul Bunyan's Coffin Block on the Atlantic Ocean Wall, and coincidentally, Levy had posted a Facebook pic of the AO roof just as I was starting to clean the pitch. The next pitch is one of the more awkward pitches, going around and through two small roofs, wide and very thrutchy. The second to last pitch goes up a ways, then through a chimney which is hell to follow! The final pitch ends at the Wilkinson Lookout, with a nice easy belay of tied-off Guardrails, and a lovely spot to hang out and appreciate the horizontal in the warm afternoon sun.

A great adventure with a great partner, we had tons of fun climbing it together, and I would be very happy if Ozymanidias is ultimately the final wall of my big wall climbing career!

P.S. Many thanks to the wall climbers of Arapiles, Kate Dooley, Gareth Llewllin, Adam Demmert, who lent us key pieces of gear, like a belay seat, aiders, a #5 Camalot, a camhook, and double gear sling, also all the good beta, especially from HB who could recall all the key placements at various spots on the climb!

EDIT: Here's Simon's film of the climb, "Portaledge Orgy":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsqOhre63lY&feature=youtu.be



Visit on deuce4.net

At the bottom of the canyon, with Ozymanidias in view.


Visit on deuce4.net

The rack for Ozymandias Direct--lots of small stuff! (Add a #5 Camalot to this rack!)


Visit on deuce4.net

Part of the bush bashing from the top to the base...


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon's first bivy spot at the base, after fixing the first two pitches.


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon following the second pitch.


Visit on deuce4.net

Feeling a bit tired after the second pitch (C2+)


Visit on deuce4.net

My belay.


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon on the crux third pitch.


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon Mentz, the man, the legend.


Visit on deuce4.net

Me leading the pitch to the roof, C1.


Visit on deuce4.net

Our bivy at top of pitch 5.


Visit on deuce4.net

This was taken at the exact same time as the last photo.


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon's first time on a portaledge! Looking a little apprehensive.


Visit on deuce4.net

After a few hours and some whiskey, Simon was right at home in the ledge.


Visit on deuce4.net

I kept thinking of new design tweaks.


Visit on deuce4.net

Another shot of our two-night bivy from the canyon rim.


Visit on deuce4.net

A fun day hanging out in space, complete with storm show.


Visit on deuce4.net

Gorgeous sunrise.


Visit on deuce4.net

D4 Portaledge makes for a great belay ledge!


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon took this shot just before turning the roof.


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon about to turn the roof.


Visit on deuce4.net

The start of the awkward pitch.


Visit on deuce4.net

"oh no, I have to go through that!?"


Visit on deuce4.net

Simon coming up.


Visit on deuce4.net

We can start to smell the summit...


Visit on deuce4.net

Just a couple more pitches...


Visit on deuce4.net

Hellish chimney to follow on jumars.


Visit on deuce4.net

Last pitch!


Visit on deuce4.net

Summit anchor.


Visit on deuce4.net

Easy haul point.


Visit on deuce4.net

I felt pretty wasted when I first arrived on top.


Visit on deuce4.net

But soon we were celebrating our adventure!


Visit on deuce4.net

The topo I drew after the climb.


Visit on deuce4.net

The topo we took...

top left corner top right corner
roughly where the line goes...
roughly where the line goes...
Credit: deuce4
bottom left corner bottom right corner

  Trip Report Views: 8,521
deuce4
About the Author
Deuce4 (John Middendorf) is a climber from Hobart, Australia.

Comments
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:14pm PT
Good job John!!

Thanks for sharing. Very cool, postcards from the edge.
Ben Emery

Trad climber
Back and forth the Pacific
  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:41pm PT
Anything left of Big Grassy these days?

Looks like the bush is still there, but I couldn't tell from the photo whether it was still a decent bivy spot or whether it is now too eroded/sloping to be comfy without a portaledge.

Thanks for posting up!
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:45pm PT
W@@T
deuce4

climber
Hobart, Australia
Author's Reply  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:49pm PT
Not much space to bivy on Big Grassy--highly recommend skipping it and setting up a nice lightweight portaledge on Pitch 5!
i-b-goB

Big Wall climber
Nutty
  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:49pm PT
Yeah!
Ben Emery

Trad climber
Back and forth the Pacific
  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:53pm PT
Yeah, looked like a good way to break it up.
fat-n-sassy

Social climber
San Francity, CA
  Mar 21, 2017 - 08:58pm PT
See any kangaroos?
Thanks!
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Mar 21, 2017 - 09:08pm PT
Near them, on the sand, half sunk, a shattered visage lies...
Delhi Dog

climber
Good Question...
  Mar 21, 2017 - 09:15pm PT
slick!
love the yellow jumar...still kicking azz:-)

Hey Deuce I'd like to hit you up later about some beta for a visit to Tassie as me and my wife (and at least one daughter) are headed there for 2.5 weeks next (your) summer.

cheers
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Mar 21, 2017 - 09:19pm PT
Never say never. But yeah, humping loads still sucks. :)


congrats!!!
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
  Mar 21, 2017 - 11:27pm PT
A JUMAR?? Wow, you even have the brittle cast aluminum handle backed up with a sling.

Whaddya mean your last wall? Are you kidding me, mate? I've got plans for us on El Cap.
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Mar 22, 2017 - 04:36am PT
Awesome that you got to share the experience with your son!
Cheers!
deuce4

climber
Hobart, Australia
Author's Reply  Mar 22, 2017 - 02:57pm PT
Elza: Simon is not my son! My son is only 10 years old, Simon is a bit older.

Sassy: No kangaroos on route.

Dehli-Dog: Beta for Tassie available anytime!

Pete: Gonna design the Porta-couch for any vertical camping ascents. Pete hauls!
ionlyski

Trad climber
Polebridge, Montana
  Mar 22, 2017 - 09:38am PT
Love the carrot bolts on the awkward traverse! Are those still being installed on routes today?

Arne
deuce4

climber
Hobart, Australia
Author's Reply  Mar 22, 2017 - 03:00pm PT
I don't think anyone still places carrot bolts, and they are all getting replaced by expansion bolts and glue-ins in most places. Was surprised that these in particular hadn't been replaced, they will definitely snap one day, as they stick out miles and are quite rusted. Where the free version goes, the bolts have been largely been replaced (at that particular point, the free version traverses below those bolts into a nice crack), but there are a still a few critical rotten carrots for the clean aid climb.

Didn't mention it in the TR, but the free version of this route is truly amazing. Hats off to Steve Monks, who first did it all free way back in 1995, and Lee Cossey, who apparently fired it in a day in 2005 , and of course all others who have freed it--it looks a hard and very bold free climb (5.13), in a true big wall setting. We were also impressed with the one-day aid rim-to-rim solos of the route, like Kate Dooley's--lots of work! And of course HB's legendary solos of Ozy and Lord Gumtree in a day--wow!

I think there are some placements that even with clean ascents, might get blown out by camhooks and perhaps even when yarding out nuts on the clean, as well as some of the old carrots breaking and rendering sections unaidable on clean gear. I suspect there used to be more fixed pins in the route--now there are very few. It wouldn't seem unreasonable to me if someone put in a few more bolts to both protect the necky free climbing and to ensure its place as a moderate first big wall climb for Aussie El Cap aspirants.

p.s. interested all the comments about my old yellow jumars! When we first moved to Australia, it was theoretically only for a year or two, so I brought very little gear to Australia--actually, I like the yellow jumars mostly for the rigging jobs for movies and stuff, which comprised a large chuck of my income back in my big wall dirtbag days, which is why I brought them, but had retired them for big wall climbs way back in the 80's. All my other big wall gear is still in storage in Colorado, where it hasn't seen the light of day for 10 years!
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
  Mar 22, 2017 - 03:26pm PT
Great report.
beggsie

Trad climber
Adelaide, South Australia
  Mar 23, 2017 - 04:41am PT
John,
Loved your TR. photos and text were perfect and glad to hear that you and Simey had such a great time. I have been wondering for some time if John Middendorf of Hobart, Tasmania is the same JM of The Valley fame. Now I know.
WBraun

climber
  Mar 24, 2017 - 07:04am PT
Yowza!!!!

Ducey back on big walls again !!!!!!

Hoooraaahhh .......
rincon

climber
Coarsegold
  Mar 24, 2017 - 07:37am PT
Looks like a good route. Kinda like Moro Rock in Sequoia with the railing anchor on top. Except at Sequoia you get swarmed by tourists. TFPU!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Mar 24, 2017 - 08:13am PT
It's great that you got to check out your new portaledge personally on such a fine route!
Nice report, thanks!
Pritch

Mountain climber
Tasmania
  Mar 29, 2017 - 04:45pm PT
That's a great report Deucey! Hey has the direct gone free?
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Mar 29, 2017 - 05:37pm PT
Great TR John!

Way to get back on the bull again.

I seem to recall a magazine article about this route.

Cheers
gfdonc

climber
Melbourne Australia
  Mar 29, 2017 - 05:53pm PT
Great to see some impressions of 'big walling' down here from a Yosemite veteran. Thanks John.
To add to the historical tidbits, Geoff Gledhill (who put up the Direct in '72) is still climbing, very actively, and putting up new routes onsight up to grade 17 Aus (5.9+) and seconding to at least 19 (5.10b) - at age 72!
Muttaphilly

climber
Portland
  Apr 2, 2017 - 04:23am PT
Great read & thanks for the TR!

We were we up there just a couple of weeks before you - glad to hear I wasn't the only one who's struggled burrowing through that fang pitch!

A couple of those old bolts had our attention too
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
  Apr 2, 2017 - 06:46am PT
A great, fun report from The Master. Yikes on those funky bolts sticking out. Somebody needs to replace them buggers.

Thanks.

BAd
Go