Jimbo Smith recently sent his project in Oudtshoorn. The new route is called ‘Live Wire’ and goes at an unconfirmed grade of 32/33. Jimbo bolted the line 3 and a half years ago.
Having lost count of how many goes it took to send the route, Jimbo says this is definitely the most time and effort he has had put into a route. To train for the route he re-created a harder version of the crux on his home wall and did the move over a hundred times!
“All the moves are really good, it flows well and its pretty sustained with a cruxy section quite high up. The only rest is just before the chains and all the holds are relatively finger and skin friendly. The rock is solid and all natural, with the exception of a crucial hold that was glued back on after it broke off.”
To the right of Mr Incredible (31), Beth Higgins opened ‘Elastic Girl’ at grade (25) Tip – belay from down under in the gully with no slack in the system.
JTF is also working on an extension for Dash (28) which will be called ‘Dash be Quick’ and should go at about 30/31.
At the Short Circuit area the left cave, JTF has another route called ‘Arc Span’ (27) and left of that is three bolts which is the start of a new project which Derek Marshal is working on.
Left of that is Joe Mohle’s route (name unknown – One Shot Musket??) which goes at grade 26.
Jimbo Smith on his new route 'Live wire' (32/33) at Oudtshoorn. Photo by Alan Hills
Jason Temple Forbes on ‘Dash’ (28) – Video of the FA by Phlip Olivier
Nice work Jimbo! Such a great looking line!
Congrats Jimbo – reminds me of Short Circuit.
Good job Jimbo!!! I’m inspired to hear you’re crushing!
Awesome, this is a great line! Respect for the determination, always pays off. A
Thanks for the comments guys. And thanks to everyone who went out of their way to belay me on it. I’m hoping someone will repeat it soon to confirm the grade.