UKC

This week's Friday Night Video takes us to Aotearoa, New Zealand, where Isaac Buckley is attempting a stunning limestone slab called Grey Matter. He describes the 30m route featuring 'cryptic smears and fictional handholds' as one of Aotearoa's 'strangest,' likening the climbing to Quantum Field at Castle Hill but turned up to 11. 

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I enjoyed that a LOT. Good stuff!

Wicked little film. It's got the the less is more low budget intimacy that I think the best climbing flicks have.  I love how the shots and sounds really complement the nature of the movement and his relationship with the climb. It's committing to stick with long rolls of unedited movement sequences but the result is a more honest portrayal.  I love the contrast between the utter dedication and passion for it all and the casualness of strolling off in bare feet, knowing the lichen will grow back.

youtube.com/watch?v=V56bPR-YjcI&

Much more from the same chap here. Castle Hill looks amazeballs

Lovely kiwi stuff there... "Aw no... ah that's alright, I'll get it later". Thanks.

b

Nice film. Interesting to see they now have proper bolts at Castle Hill. I was there in 2012 when most routes - at least those we were capable of doing - seemed to be protected by "sticky-out" metal rods on which you needed to cinch the wires of Rocks or similar. Interesting idea, but I'm not sure of the point. As the rock had to be drilled anyway, they might as well have placed proper bolts.

Martin