Tagging along with friends when they go climbing is usually the only way I get out to the crags these days. This is mainly because the lack of good quality rock around Christchurch has severely dampened my excitement and desire for the ‘vertical arena’. But the other day my indifference to the local crags was challenged by a short visit to Gibraltar Rock, a small crag on the West side of the Port Hills.
There were 5 of us at the crag and to be honest any more people would have made it feel very busy, its not a large crag. Me and Grace worked our way through the easier climbs whilst Reg, Claire and Neil climbed a few slightly harder ones. We all climbed the classic 16 up the main tower. This climb is genuinely good, and would be worth climbing at almost any crag. The descent is via an abseil off some bolts and is very straightforward. After a couple of hours the wind picked up which signaled time to leave. Or at least time to head down to ‘She Chocolate’ for coffee/hot chocolate in Governors Bay.
Although it would be possible to climb everything at the crag in an afternoon. The quality and the view make it a place definitely worth revisiting.
