#GotToGetOut: Rock Climbing At Castle Rock

When you’re just starting out in rock climbing, finding a regular climbing partner is no easy feat. Our climbing crew all live busy lives and I’ve given up trying to convince friends on the merits of embracing your inner spider climbing walls. Then one day I figured, there has to be people like me, right? People who want to embrace an active lifestyle, hang out with like minded individuals or simply to meet others outside their bubble.

After a quick search on Google, I found Got To Get Out - a social enterprise that not only encouraged people to embrace the outdoors, but their paid trips also come with a ‘buy one, give one’ philosophy. It means that for every paid trip, a child gets the chance to experience the outdoors. Volunteer leaders around the country regularly organise free group outings, as well as paid trips. Walking, running, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and snow trips are just some of the activities they offer.

Bay of Plenty: Rock Climbing In The Mangorewa Gorge - Part 2

Even before I got into climbing, March has always been one of my favourite months, more so because it’s the start of autumn. Autumn, especially in the Bay of Plenty where it feels like a lingering summer. The bush and vast coastline is a playground you can’t help but be drawn to.

This was my second time at the Mangorewa Gorge and we somehow picked a day that wasn’t only dry and sunny, but a fairly quiet one in terms of other climbers. Last time it was only Jim and I, but this time we had Alec join us too. Jim and I drove to Alec’s house in Papamoa, then the three of us drove to the gorge together. Our small crew was growing! We decided to call ourselves the Whakatāne Climbing whanau.

Bay of Plenty: Rock Climbing In The Mangorewa Gorge

I looked up - there were three, maybe four quickdraws left on the route before the anchor. The slight wedgie from my harness reminded me that I was already closer to the anchor than I was to the ground. My arms were pumped. The sounds of the Tuis were all around, and below me I could hear the crunching of Dorritos from my climbing partner, Jim. At the pace I was climbing, he probably could have read The Lord of the Rings and I would still be up on that rock.