On Sunday, we go to Booroomba and climb Counterbalance.

Driving south, it is overcast, and we wonder about the forecast for fine weather. But halfway up Apollo Road, we break through the clouds, and it's a sunny day. We're early, and the carpark is empty when we arrive. We head up the trail, shed the obligatory sweat, and arrive at "the log." I sort gear and rack up. We'll take the track down through Middle Rocks, so we walk up to the lookout, and are astounded. Below us lies a thick bank of cloud, obscuring the whole of Canberra and shining brilliantly in the morning sun. Only the North Buttress and hills opposite are visible. An absolute treat, and a good omen for the day. We scramble down the gully, and cliffside along the trail to the Northern Slabs. Wisps of cloud lap the trees at the base of our climb, and it's peaceful and quiet.

I contemplate the climb. I haven't climbed on slabs for ages, but I do like them. This climb has a scary start though: up five metres to a tiny standing spot, then another foot of steep smearing with no hands before you can reach a big ledge. I've been told there's no gear - an unprotected grade 14 crux. With some work, I do find some pro - OK, but not great. It's at my feet when I get to the standing spot though, and the next move scares me silly. So after much dalliance, I cheat my way to the ledge. At least we get to continue the climb, but I feel pretty badly. Karma makes me incompetent for the rest of the pitch; I protect my second poorly, and my anchor sucks. Oh well, we're still having fun.

The second pitch will be the highlight. It takes off into the granite horizon, linking unexpected sections of richly featured slab with some blank stuff. It's a long one, too, at 45 metres. My book warns of scarce pro, but at first it's all good. Halfway up it does peter out, but by now I've warmed to this friction climbing and it's a just a joy to keep moving. I pad delicately upwards, over swells and ripples of rock. The way ahead is slight, but easily seen. The air is cool on my skin, but the sun is friendly and warming. The clouds below are receding, revealing the distant city. I am mindful of my exposure, yet at ease with it. I am in my element, and I'm happy.

I set anchor and put my partner on belay. The rope stays put - my previous anchor is proving recalcitrant to the last. It's pretty nice up here, so I accept the delay with alacrity. To my relief, when my partner finally arrives, she's as taken with pitch as I was.

We're near the top now, where Booroomba slab climbs usually fade. Today however, our last pitch is great. A large exfoliation provides excellent underclings and laybacking. Too short! A final short scramble, and I'm done. I'm not the only one, either; other climbers are converging here, and we chat amicably as we belay. It's getting cooler, as the sun retreats from its modest zenith, but the light is golden and the mood mellow. We go through the rituals: coil ropes, change shoes. The day's greater ritual - the trading of vulnerability for reward - has been well conducted, and we head home the richer for it.