46 year old Queenslander sends 5.14a/b

Duncan Steel, a 46 year old Queenslander, has finally sent Whistling Kite and at grade 32 (5.14a/b) 30 to 35 metres high this is no mean feat. Five days and thirteen shots this season alone were necessary to put this monster to bed. Duncan has finally got this monkey off his back. WK is THE hardest climb in Queensland and in fact is one of Australias iconic climbs. This send is is only the third by an Australian, the first by a Queenslander and there have only been five recorded ascents. WK is of course at Frog Buttress in SE Queensland.

I witnessed several of Duncan's unsuccessful attempts. He came very close to sending on several occasions. This climb requires a very focused aproach and the least amount of a break in concentration will see one spat off. It is very delicate and balancy. Three quite brutal cruxes will tire out most climbers. One needs to be very fastidious about body position as mere millimetres will make a difference. The route ascends an improbable closed and fused seam that somewhat splits an otherwise seeming blank wall. I doubt if this climb will ever be onsighted, how's that for a gauntlet thrown down.

So come on world, step up to the plate and show the Australia what you are made of. Oh yes, it is a trad climb to boot.

The send occured this morning so this news is hot off the press folks.