Thatcher is a Spaceman
That's right, after years of research into anti-gravity techniques Derek Thatcher has finally become a spaceman. Today he grabbed the long-awaited second ascent of the Space Boy Extension at the Superbowl in Christchurch.
The Space Boy Extension was climbed by Kaz Pucia way back in '95 and given the country's biggest number of 32. It has waited eight years for a repeat. Many strong NZ and foreign climbers have sent the lesser version of Space Boy at grade 31, including Richard 'Sticky' Dale, Phil Sage, Colin Pohl, Kaz Pucia, Ben Cossey and first ascentionist Matt Evrard. However, none of these climbers except Kaz were prepared to take on the challenge of another three bolts of climbing after clipping the original anchors well short of the lip of the cave.
As reported previously, Derek sent the shorter version in good conditions at the end of winter, and has since worked streadily at the moves of the extension. He was able to milk a painful kneebar at the anchors of the original for a slight rest before charging up the final pumpy section with some long moves.
In other Cave news Ivan Vostinar recently completed a project which he has named Troglodyte and given the grade of 30. This line has a bouldery start with some tricky continuous moves before joining Gorilla Grip just before its crux and finishing up that route. Derek quickly grabbed the second ascent of this route with Andy Milne and a recharged Kaz also working for an ascent.
The Space Boy Extension was climbed by Kaz Pucia way back in '95 and given the country's biggest number of 32. It has waited eight years for a repeat. Many strong NZ and foreign climbers have sent the lesser version of Space Boy at grade 31, including Richard 'Sticky' Dale, Phil Sage, Colin Pohl, Kaz Pucia, Ben Cossey and first ascentionist Matt Evrard. However, none of these climbers except Kaz were prepared to take on the challenge of another three bolts of climbing after clipping the original anchors well short of the lip of the cave.
As reported previously, Derek sent the shorter version in good conditions at the end of winter, and has since worked streadily at the moves of the extension. He was able to milk a painful kneebar at the anchors of the original for a slight rest before charging up the final pumpy section with some long moves.
In other Cave news Ivan Vostinar recently completed a project which he has named Troglodyte and given the grade of 30. This line has a bouldery start with some tricky continuous moves before joining Gorilla Grip just before its crux and finishing up that route. Derek quickly grabbed the second ascent of this route with Andy Milne and a recharged Kaz also working for an ascent.