Haliburton Lake and more, April 3-4, 2011

Jon topping out on Captain Crunch, April 3, 2011Jon rappeling down Captain CrunchSlabby section of cliffVertical sectionCrackOverhangNext day cliff, lower halfBolted LineJon and I climbed Captain Crunch at Haliburton Lake on Sunday, March 3. This was a first time visit for the both of us to this area. Nice area, nice lake, beautiful sunny day. Lots of cottages around, but no cottagers. Captain Crunch was still fat - some screws were good, some iffy (bring your 22s) - with a fair bit of sun rot in the upper section. None of the other climbs were in. Lake ice was completely solid.

We also went for an exploratory walk down Percy Lake, but found no cliffs or ice climbs. Put my ice tool down a fishing hole to check the thickness of the ice - immersed the whole tool. Lake ice is still thick, too bad most cliff ice is done for.

We then went for a drive and spent some more time exploring. Struck out at the first place we checked, but found a big cliff at the second - slabs, cracks, ovehangs, the works. We were both as happy as kids in a candy store. Unfortunately, the "man" was waiting for us when we came out and he was less than happy. What a drag. He warned us not to tresspass on private property again (but he wasn't nasty about it). And to be truthful we had hopped over a rather large gate (but there was no house nearby to ask permission; poor excuse and we knew it). On the upside, we now know who to ask for permission. On the downside, I doubt they'd give it. Worth a try next year anyway. Don't you just love climbing in Southern Ontario?

The next day I came upon another good cliff - vertical in the bottom half, slabby/slopey up top. Somebody had actually scrubbed a section of the cliff and put up a bolted line (looked recent). Lots of potential for more routes. I spoke briefly with the old couple whose property backed onto part of the cliff - they had nothing against people climbing there, as long as they accepted that they were responsible for themselves in case of an accident. They said 4 young guys had been there climbing the day before. I hope that whoever is developing the area eventually shares the information about it.

Danylo