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Hospital Rocks
Hospital Rocks is a pleasant little area located at the far eastern end of the Ben's Walk line of cliffs. Despite only containing about 20 climbs, it's a very pleasant little crag, with a nice shorter (approximately 12m high) wall and a really good higher (approximately 20m) wall. Almost zero access and a safe car park also add to the attraction of the place.
The main attraction of the crag, however, is it's generally low to mid grade routes - all of the routes are between 11 and 23, making this one of the best beginner's crags at Nowra. All of the routes have been equipped with ring bolts and lower offs, so it's a great place to learn to lead.
The guide for the area is the recently published "Rockclimbing at Nowra" guidebook.
Little Boxer Girl 8m 13 (originally graded 10)
Marked. An enjoyable and improbably easy line up the middle of the first wall. 3 RBs to double RB lower off.
Dot the Dashund 12m 15
A surprisingly goey start leads to sustained and enjoyable climbing to the ledge at about 3/4 height. Above the ledge the climbing and rock quality significantly degenerate. 4 RBs to double RB lower off.
Jesse Fetch 12m 13
Heads up the nice slab just around the arete from DtD. The same ledge also spoils the top of this climb. 3 RBs to double RB lower off.
Bamboozled 18m 18
A surprisingly easy climb up the guts of the main wall. One hard but enjoyable move past the 3rd RB comprises the crux, then it's easy but steep hauling on incredible jugs to the top. 5 RBs to double RB lower off.
The Grouch 16m 17
Another great route, a bit spoilt by some crappy rock up high. More sustained than B, but with no moves quite as hard. 4 RBs to a double RB lower off shared with the following climb (it might not be a bad idea to traverse left to the next set of lower offs. If you do this, be careful of some big loose pieces of rock).
Uncle Udfuddy 14m 13 (originally graded 11)
This one barely gets a star in my book - the moves aren't great, some of the rock is absolutely abysmal, and it's just not sustained enough. Even so, it's probably not a bad one to sandbag your friends on! 4 RBs to the same lower off as for TG.
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