Here’s a report that I wrote back in July…
In an effort to escape the Bluey’s winter weather (with rain and wind a constant) we headed to the Wolgan Valley in search of secluded sunshine. There we found our solace, a perfect microcosm, much different to the pea soup at home.
We spent many days out in the Wolgan, and eventually all good things must come to an end. Last week I sent Microcosm (31), the route, exactly 15 years to the day that it was first freed by Mark Baker in 1996. Back then it was the first grade 31 established in the Blue Mountains.
Microcosm is an exquisite 50-metre route which tackles a bullet proof orange shield of rock speckled with just enough holds to see you through to the top. The crux is thin, super thin, and basically involves high stepping onto a smooth downward-sloping one cent coin whilst squeezing two credit card edges to catch a high hold. After that it’s sustained climbing on small edges.
I believe after all these years mine was the third ascent. Considering that it is such an amazing route I am surprised that it is not more popular.
Microcosm (31), a beautiful thin 50-metre face on the Coke Ovens cliff, in the Wolgan Valley, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia.
