After all the slow paced relaxation that saw out 2023, we seem to have packed a lot into the first day of 2024!

An alarm was required to get us up and out into the cool of the new year’s morning as we hiked up to the main cliff above town. As we neared the base of the cliffs the overcast start gave way to deep blue skies.

After cooling off and sorting the gear we set off up the 175m, 7 pitch climb called Mignonette. We had climbed the route back on Boxing Day in 2017, and agreed that the adventurous journey would feel like a fitting way to start the year.

We swung leads and made quick progress up the route, soon leaving the town far below us. As we climbed church bells rang out across the valley and through loud speakers songs were sung at the various churches and temples.

All was going well until the penultimate pitch, where we came across a significant area of rock fall. By now there were several other team starting to climb up the lower pitches below us. We negotiated the loose blocks carefully, not wanted to send any debris down. See the rock scars below Clare’s belay).

The final section of the route climbs the dramatic pillar above and provides a super finale.

We’d taken just under two hours to climb the route at a leisurely and enjoyable pace. If you have an 80m it is possible to abseil down the cliffs to the right (facing in), on a bolted abseil piste. We had planned (with our 70m rope), to rappel back down the way we’d come up as we had done on our previous ascent. However, the combination of loose rock and other climbers below us, made us change plans. We opted to hike over to the road and try to hitch hike the 7km back to town. But first we walked over to the big summit flag pole for some lunch and to soak up the views.

The terrain at the top was really hard going. Desert scrub, spiky bushes and sharp loose rocks. Having made it up the climb with ease, we both found ourselves tripping on rocks and bushes as we followed the labyrinthine of small paths towards the road. Clare sustained some cuts to the palm of her hand on one trip. But fifteen minutes of hot bushwhacking later and we reached the salvation of some smooth tarmac.

Unfortunately, it was not a busy road. One van came past, with an old couple in the front seats and various animals packed in the back! Definitely no room for us! We walked on towards the hot, dusty and long looking switchbacks…

After a few kilometres, with no trace of another human or motor vehicle, we stashed the ropes and kit and I jogged back to get the car. Once reunited, we drove straight to the sea to cool off!

Actually, we stopped at the pad for some liquids and a quick chill on the sofa, before a long and lovely snorkel. Then, after hot showers and a big feed, returned to town to meet our friends from back home and catch up on each other’s adventures. Made it to bed just after midnight! A full value start to 2024!