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Go back to Part 2.
The next day we woke up early for the longer approach to the Vatovarindry, a large dome on the opposite end of the range. Despite looking at the area map the night before, we screwed up and ended up getting our first taste of a Madagascar bushwhack: waist high thick grass (sharp and slick) with a thicker bottom layer to entangle the feet interrupted by densely overgrown washes. I clung to the idea that Madagascar has no snakes dangerous to humans but at the same time kept thinking about all the deadly serpents on the mainland across the narrow (400km!) Mozambique Channel. Based on Shirley’s profanity I could only assume she had similar thoughts…
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After about two hours we made the base and Shirley started up the first pitch of La Croix Du Sud (Southern Cross, 8 pitch 6b). I enjoyed myself tremendously on that pitch! Anytime the going got steeper a perfect incut edge would appear. The second pitch offered more of the same goodness and I almost felt sorry when I reached the belay. Things steepened on the upper 2/3rds and we found ourselves climbing some very cool, water carved features in the sticky granite! The terrain was interesting but the climbing was never scary. As the day before, a strong wind started up when we were about half way up. By the time we topped out we were both wearing jackets. Despite the PITA wind the raps went smoothly and this time (having seen the correct approach from above) the hike back to camp took us just over an hour. A stellar route!
Photos
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