AT PENCARROW HEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 7

AT PENCARROW HEAD

THRILLS ON THE SEAFRONT;

(By G.L.N.)

Most peoplo think there is little or no real rock climbing to be got in tho vicinity of Wellington—that at the most all the climber can expect is a mountainous walk, rocky riverbeds, and shingle slides in the Orongorongos. To those who know, however, there are several places where tlitS climber can get real rocks and real climbing dangers if he wants them. for instance, at Peuearrow Head there are two main ridges—the eastern and the western— which immediately attract the climber's attention. The rock is the firmest to be found around Wellington,,and the southerly wind gives these- ridges a good sweeping. But even then thero still remain sundry flakes and wedges of loose rock that are just waiting for the climber's little finger to disturb them and send them scattering like shrapnel on. the rocks or tho heads below.

For tho ascent of the eastern ridge there are several interesting variations of route. .The traverse is made by ascending a fifteen-foot vertical face from the track, and then straddling the crest. Another route, which joins the ridge- at about half its height, is by way of a "chimney" and the loose rock in this "chimney" rattles like old bones as one squeezes upwards. But perhaps the most "sticky" route is by a slanting ledge running off from the base of the "chimney" under aa "overhang." Tho rock of thia ledge is almost severed from the main ridge by a dubious-looking crack, and the climber fervently hopes that "the last straw" will not break the "camel's back."

The western ridge looks rather mort formidable than the eastern, as its general slope is, even to a climber's eye, not very far removed from the vortical. Closer acquaintance with it reveals, however, a kindly disposition to offer good firm handholds and a satisfying friction for the trousers. There may also be variations to this ridge routo, but, to the writer, they are not yet obvious. "IJoublo-roping-dovrn" requires » reasonably solid peg of rock from which to hang the rope, and of these them are plenty. While climbing or descending the climber enjoys a wonderful view of the sea and at times passing shipping "is framed in a large "window" in the rock. Pencarrow Head has a cruel past, and the bones of several old ships still lie gripped by its rugged teeth. But tho headland is not altogether cruel, and on a bright sunny day it offers a wonderful area for those who lovo to take their amusements with a struggle. Besides it is a place of day dreams, for from here may be seen the "busy shuttles of an Empire's loom" passing to and fro through Cook Strait on their legitimate errands among the world's markets.