On the 5th of September, Clinton Martinengo, aka “Ningo”, and I made an ascent of the NW face of the Half Dome. Ningo was on form as usual and very nearly onsighted the whole route free, falling at just one point (on the first zig zag, for those that know the route). All things considered, it was a great first big day out in good free style (well mostly!) It was also great to feel first hand the euphoria of topping out one of these mammoth routes and to finally feel safe again!
Night exposure of the half dome via Ben Tappe, an aspiring photographer we met in the valley. Our route follows the left edge of the black streak
The day before our climb, we hiked our gear up the death slabs and enjoyed a lazy afternoon on the bivy terrace in our sleeping bags. We both forgot to bring something to do, so we were really bored by the end of the day. The only entertainment was watching a pair of climbers inch their way up pitch one (of grade 25!), their climbing commands growing more and more annoyed as they went.
Unfortunately, that one pitch was all they would see of the mountain as they quickly sounded the retreat, thankfully for us, as they loaned Ningo a headlamp which he’d forgotten (along with cooking gas and an alarm!)
Scoping out the route over dinner at our luxurious bivy
Ningo leading us back onto the route after our two-hour detour
Getting my layback 'on' at around pitch 19
The next morning, we started out early, getting under way 30 minutes before dawn. Annoyingly we had to battle past two newbie American climbers who snaked us in the line after promising to let us go first the night before (while politely inquiring our planned start time!) These whippersnappers got about five pitches up before sounding their retreat.
Ningo “leading” down the sketchy 10b downclimb pitch
We made good time, apart from a 2-hour route finding detour due to an erroneously drawn tree on the topo! We alternated leads, simul-climbing the easier sections (climbing simultaneously to save time) and jumaring the odd section where it was more efficient. The highlight of the day was Ningo firing the 5.12a (25) slab at the end as the sun set.
A great finish!
Below: Getting some great exposure on the finish pitches
Clinton hanging tough
The “Thank God Ledge” forms a perfect mini-walkway to the last hard pitch
On the summit at last! (apparently serious climbers bring national flags with them)
 Steve Bradshaw |
Steve Bradshaw is a South African climber and long-time Climb ZA contributor.
He is fortunate to be travelling the world for a few years with his wife while they contemplate what to do next with their lives. In the process they hope to sample some of the world’s best climbing destinations from the alpine walls of Patagonia and Yosemite to the steep limestone of China, Vietnam and Mexico.
To follow their adventures, visit stangie.wordpress.com.
Steve is sponsored by Edelrid
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 Clinton Martinengo |
Clinton Martinengo is another one of South Africa’s top climbers. |
Nice one Fellas! So stoked for you guys!
Nice one guys – green with envy
Good one lads. You’ve done us proud. Clinton, Ant, Julia and team are sponsored in part by the MCSA.
Andy Wood, Chairman, Cape Town Section. MCSA
Nice one chaps.
Well Done Guys!!
Congrats to Hectare Pringle and Andrew Porter for making the first South African free ascent (FSAFA) of the Half Dome a few days ago. Also to Gosia Lipinski for coming oh so close herself on the same day. Falling on the last hard pitch as the light faded. Good efforts all round!
Great guys your fantastic
The national flag is upside down in that photo. Red goes on top.
I told Ningo red goes on top!