thesarvo

Fruehauf

28 Routes051015<1616-1920-2425+TradSport
  • Walkby Matt Perchard & Evan Peacock, originally published in Craglets.
  • SunAfternoon sun
  • RockChossy 10-18m high vertical sandstone

Acknowledgement

by Matt Perchard & Evan Peacock, originally published in Craglets.

Introduction

DO NOT CLIMB HERE AFTER RAIN - the rock here is particularly fragile for 24 hrs after rain and everyone will be annoyed with you when you break holds on their favourite climbs.

Fruehauf has always been the epitome of the urban crag... barking dogs, big trucks, loud music and the occasional domestic argument all contributing to the ambience of squalor. Times they are a changing, however. The battery hen farm at the top that used to contribute to the general atmosphere has now gone but the mosquitoes and sandy finishes are still there to welcome you. The whole area along the Rivulet Track, including the cliff, has been given a make-over by the HCC with help from members of the Climbers Club (2016); the tip that used to block access to the cliff has gone, replaced by picnic tables and a grassed lawn, the cliff base has been stabilised to stop the encroaching erosion and dead and dangerous trees overhanging the cliff removed. Although it was predominantly a top rope training crag, most of the routes have now been re-bolted and leading is generally the go.

So come down one warm summer evening, socialise with the hordes (it’s popular!), crack onto members of the opposite sex (or the same sex, why not), and crank on some excellent sandstone lines. The place is a lot more user friendly now, but still be prepared to brush the dust off a route after rain... and bring the mozzie repellent over summer.

This cliff has its fair share of loose rocks, large holds do break off from time to time. Much of it seems to be held in by dirt and plant roots. Helmets are probably worth the effort, especially for the belayer.

History

The crag was discovered in 1981 by the 'Dirty Hands Gang' - some Elizabeth College reprobates also responsible for Coningham and numerous other far less memorable choss piles. The first route was Bedside Manners are Extra, followed by Plastic Erection - after many tries and much "rock sculpturing". Later came Anaphalaxis, led on all natural pro' - a rather horrifying thought! The original line traversed left and up across an obvious set of features to finish at the top of what now is Gun Ho. The other classic of the crag, Suck Ethics, was originally led on only 2 bolts, the second of which fell out as the lead climber passed! Thankfully this route and most of the others are far better protected now.

Access

To get there drive up Davey Street to the Southern Outlet and turn right. Turn left up Macquarie Street and follow this to the badminton centre. Turn right into McRobies Road (towards the tip), then right again into Degraves Street. Turn right across the bridge into Apsley Street then turn left into Tara Street. Park across from the warehouses: the crag is obvious, left of the grassed area. A track leads to the paved area at the bottom. Access to the top of the crag is easiest by continuing on up Tara Street, then right along the fenced walking track and through the gate to the cliff top. Most climbs are marked with their initials, although some are getting a bit worn. Top rope anchors have been installed on most of the more popular climbs.

Crag Steward

Rock climbers please contact the Cliff Steward (hobartcraglets@climbersclubtas.org.au) if you have any queries or concerns regarding social or environmental impacts of rock climbing at this crag. Do not email regarding general travel, seasonal advice, or lost property - this is not the Steward’s role. If you have important safety information to communicate (e.g. risks due to recent and large rock falls) please also consider updates on thesarvo forum, facebook group and/or online guidebooks as appropriate. Please copy in cct@climbersclubtas.org.au if you feel you have a high level concern which may imminently impact the crag or climbing community.

Non-climbers, other users, land managers: please also contact cct@climbersclubtas.org.au if you have important climbing related queries at this location.

GPS

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Mononeuron

18m23TR

TR: Start on the extreme L of the cliff below the overhanging wall. Climb the easy slab to the overhanging wall, then follow the jugs above to the top.

Evan Peacock, Nov 1989.

Lager Frenzy

18m24TR

TR: An exciting route up the steep wall immediately L of Bedside Manners are Extra. Follow a series of holds to a small ledge on the RH arête of the overhanging wall. Continue up to 'top out' in a fringe of sag grass growing over the top. The rock on the bottom half looks very chossy, but is surprisingly solid.

Evan Peacock, Nov 1990.

3.

Bedside Manners are Extra

18m176Þ

The easiest climb around. Start at the base of a 3m head-wall toward the L of the cliff. Climb the short crux wall, then continue steeply up the wall to the open-book corner. Ascend this easily to finish. Alternatively, can be started immediately L of Plastic Extras and climbed straight up the corner, maybe a tad easier. U-bolts plus TR chain at top.

Peter Steane, Nov 1982.

4.

Plastic Extras

15m215Þ

Start 1m R of Bedside Manners are Extra, just L of Plastic Erection and ascend the face with a leftwards trend (but not as far as the easy corner). Under-cling past the small roof, then continue directly up the crux arête above on sloping holds. Finish up the thin face above. A bit contrived, but still good.

5.

Plastic Erection

15m215Þ

A great climb. Climb up for a few metres then move rightwards to the obvious lay-away flake. Move L to better holds, then follow the weakness above to finish at the blocks. U-bolts plus chain at top.

Craig Maddock, 1983.

6.

The Chodd

25m25Þ

The great traverse. Start up Plastic Erection and head across R on bolts to finish at a chain midway up GT. A very sustained outing.

Marcel Jackson, Jul 1993.

7.

Cadwallada

15m27Þ

A challenging climb, especially in an old pair of boots or barefoot! Start 2m R of Plastic Erection. Climb the easy wall, then move R a few metres to a ledge where the difficulties and bolts commence. Climb directly to the start of a rising rightwards facing lay-away edge. Ascend this, then the face above.

Grant Rowbottom, 1996.

8.

Dildo Gaggin's

★★15m27Þ

A sustained link-up that guarantees a good workout. Start up Gun Ho, stepping L at jugs, finishing up Cadwallada. Dynamic, technical with a heartbreaking finish.

T.Caldwell Dec 2012

9.

Gun Ho

15m26Þ

A big dyno and thin face climbing characterise this line. Start just L of Sucks Ethics. U bolts to a lower-off.

Evan Peacock, May 1992.

10.

Heaps Good

15m26Þ

Climbs the blank face to the L of the upper section of SE. Bolts and vision by Garry, only for the route to be stolen by the one and only Jake the snake. Could be a bit harder.

Jake Bresnehan 2009

11.

Suck Ethics

★★15m25Þ

This sustained climb, in addition to its neighbour to the R, are 'the classics' of the cliff. They speak for the benefits of (dare I say it) chipping, for without this (filthy) practice the climbs would not exist! The climb quickly gets into the swing of it with a dynamic sequence of moves to get off (and often back onto) the ground. After reaching the ledge, continue up past four U-bolts. After the last bolt, move slightly L then up to finish. Both this climb and Anaphalaxis may easily be top-roped from the same chain, though a lead is strongly recommended.

Phil Bigg.

12.

Jack Jumper

15m27TR

TR: A training contrivance - nothing else. Start just R of Suck Ethics. Dyno-dyno-dyno to reach the RH side of the horizontal slot on Suck Ethics. Trend R and up to reach the pocket on Anaphalaxis and dyno L to the pocket on Suck Ethics. Layback straight up to finish.

Evan Peacock, Aug 1993.

13.

Anaphalaxis Hobbit Varient

★15m25Þ

If you're too short to do the Anaphalaxis dyno then use the good initial hold to move L to bolt and then up to the horizontal break and finish as for Anaphalaxis.

14.

Anaphalaxis

★★15m24Þ

A sustained line up the center of the cliff with a very hard crux start. To leave the ground step up, use the bolt on the R then 'dyno' for a hold at 3m and then up to the horizontal break. Continue up to the small roof and a huge jug just below a rightwards trending overlap. Follow this past the mono (if you're tall enough) then power on to the top. Another chipped (and now glued up!) classic.

Simon Parsons, Apr 1982.

15.

Play Launch

★15m25Þ

Re-bolted 2011. Another good, sustained route. Start: either do the desperate reachy start (25) or, much more pleasantly, come in from Anaphalaxis (from the L).

Evan Peacock, May 1993.

16.

Play Launch Direct Start

★★1525Þ
17.

Wasted Daze

15m24Þ

The only things wasted after this climb are your fingertips - you won't spend days on it! Power up the tweaky holds, past a bolt, to a jug. Continue easily up then move leftwards until below the overlap, follow the LH of two final U-bolts using the two-finger pocket to the L to obtain the solitary jug in the smooth face, mantle the ledge above and move R to chains.

18.

Wasted Daze RH Variant Finish

15m25Þ

At the final overlap on WD a tricky move R leads to an alternative finish past a U-bolt leading to the WD chains.

19.

Mozzie Fodder

15m26TR

TR: Must be brushed first, the route is thin and smeary. 2 bolt TR anchors at the top. Start: virtually at General Benefit, but shares none of the holds, stay just L of General Benefit then head leftwards at two-thirds height.

Evan Peacock, Oct 1992.

20.

Dazed and Confused

17m225Þ

Up General Benefit to the 3rd bolt then head L passing another bolt and into the seam finishing as for Wasted Daze RHF clipping its last bolt.

Guy Abell, Oct 2013

21.

General Benefit

15m224Þ

The wall 2m L of Bondage and Discipline. The current speed record (from ground level to a hand on the jug at the very top) is held by Evan Peacock at 27 seconds, but the departure of some significant holds have made things much more difficult. After the initial reachy start, continue up through layaways and better holds to more difficult moves just after the second bolt. After gaining the crack, finish up the dirty jugs above. (Editors note: a large flake fell off a year or two back, plus a fairly crucial hold further up, and the grade has definitely increased from the original 19!).

Simon Parsons, Apr 1982.

22.

General Discipline

15m204Þ

Start up Bondage and Discipline until the roof. Then climb straight up on good but well spaced holds (a little harder if your short) & finish at General Benefit chains.

Justin Kennedy, 1984.

23.

Bondage and Discipline

★15m20Þ

A fairly sustained route which gets more strenuous with height. Climb directly up until alongside the roof (where a piton used to exist before gravity got the better of it and a climber). Traverse right 2m, past the scar left as another large block jumped ship, then ascend the overhanging face above. Up this to lower-off above.

Phil Steane Nov 82.

24.

Bad Habits

15m23Þ

Some think this route is worthy of a star and an easy tick for the grade. Start immediately right of Bondage and Discipline before the ground falls away. Step right, move up and to the right, past a U-bolt, to good jugs at half height. Continue up the steep wall past the second U-bolt, then ascend the blankish face (crux) above the third U-bolt. Chain anchor at top.

25.

Gibbon Habits

15m215Þ

Start as for Bad Habits for the first 2 bolts then head right around the arête and up to the large heuco. Head up to the chains.

26.

Genital Thrust

15m23TR

TR: On the extreme R of the cliff, the ground falls away: start here. Ascend the initial overhanging face. Move left around the arête, then continue up past the bolts of Bad Habits. The climb makes a pleasant lead if you start by stick-clipping the first bolt of Bad Habits.

TR Peter Steane, 1984.

27.

Gibbon Tactics

15m21TR

TR: Start as for Genital Thrust. Climb straight through the overhang, then ascend the RH side of the prow. Finish via the hole (visible from the ground). Good value.

TR Richard Marshall, Feb 1987.

28.

This is Steep Mum

15m25TR

TR: Although the rock looks shitty, this is an excellent route, a really good pump for the length and it awaits a direct variant. Start about 2m right of GT/GT, set up TR belay from a tree about 5m left and uphill from the top of the climb.

TR Evan Peacock, Jan 1993.