A few years' ago we did what we thought was the traditional Candlestick route. Half way up the first pitch a local friend of ours arrived to inform us we were on the wrong route. We continued up anyway. We later found out that the first 2 pitches was a relativley new route (climbed about 9 months before us) called 'Nicoles route'.

From the top of the second pitch on Nicoles route we scrambled up a steep ledge to belay near the back of the Candlestick. From here I traversed left a few meters then went straight up a sensational hand/finger crack. This finished with a small ledge, then a short wall to another ledge. At the second 'belay' ledge there were two bolt holes drilled but no bolts. From this belay point the saddle of the Candlestick was reached by walking along the ridge top.

Does anyone have any information on this third pitch? I hope we didn't steal someones route but we did climb it ground/water up thinking we were in new territory. Grade was approximately 17 or 18 from memory, and probably about 20-30m. Excellent all round climb with first two pitches of NR and finishing up the summit of the traditional route.

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