Exploring Timor-Leste

Certificates and Snacks Rock

(awaiting a better name)

Ratings

Day trip from Dili - 90 minutes drive plus 20 minutes walk

Description

The same car park as Crabby Rock - on the road to Laklo, shortly before reaching Diak Ka Lae crag (which is the obvious rocks just off the road) a long, broken cliff is visible to the right. Drive as close as possible to this. Crabby Rock is a small offshoot - about 40m high - in front of and slightly to the left of the middle of this big, broken cliff. Certificates and Snacks Rock is a 50m high, east facing rock to the right (facing the Mt Curi cliff system from the Laklo road). It has a big patch of orange looking overhanging rock facing the road, surrounded to left and above by gentler-sloped grey stuff. It is possible to walk around and up, either left or right, to the very top.

A landmark for finding climbs is a chest-high cave big enough to crawl into and smelling of bats but with signs of human (presumably Indonesian-era Falintil, because none of the locals come here any more) habitation. Some steep climbs have been tried on top rope about 5m to the right of this; Certificates and Snacks is about 20m to the left. Around this area is also lovely and cool, in the shade for most of the day with a pleasant breeze common in the afternoon.


The crawling cave

Climbs

Certificates and Snacks, 25m, grade 13 !

Peter Ellis and Andrew Patching, July 2005

The only climb that has been led - or even toproped successfully - at this crag so far. Starts about 15m to the left of the crawling cave (see above) and just to the left and below the much larger cave. Straight up the line of least resistance. Move gradually leftwards at first, then after a difficult thin move up to a ledge below the obvious overhanging roof 20m from the ground. Technically you could maybe pull straight through this roof but as it seems to be a loose block this might just bring it down on your belayer. Move right to find a safe way around this obstacle, then delicately traverse left, trying not to stand on that massive block now you are above it and to not dislodge any of the smaller rocks hanging around. Belay from an obvious, big ledge with a strong tree to the left and above the loose block roof. Abseil from tree.

Apart from the loose rock near the top, this is a very enjoyable climb. Mostly grade 10, the crux just below the roof is protected if you take the time to fidget around. It should be possible to extend this climb further to the right and upwards once the roof has been surmounted - but whatever you do you will need to beware rope drag.


The gently sloped Certificates and Snacks face, with the obvious loose block roof 20m above the ground

Unfinished

Left of Certificates and Snacks is an overhanging, flaring, narrowing chimney/off-width that will go at about grade 18.

Right of Certificates and Snacks there is at least one other line awaiting a bottom-up trad lead.

Further right again - to the right of the chest-high crawling-cave - is the overhanging orange stuff which is unlikely to go with just trad protection. Stylish moves, possibly in the early 20s, will get you over this stuff up a couple of lines. Not yet completed, even on top rope.


Steep orange stuff

The verdict

Very good - the coolness in particular being appreciated. Some of the rock is not as solid as it looks.
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