It was a fantastic day at Pinnacles. While my two young carpool passengers teamed up to do their new-age projecting of Pinnacles classics, Gavin and I got in 9 pitches on climbs, some of which not well travelled, old school style. Ran into Mr. 13b. His presence was not a surprise. I was surprised to see Steve Curtis there, Mr. Mud's old climbing buddy, and he is still climbing strong.
Gavin Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Probably Gavin's first time following (vs leading) Broken Arrow
Gavin styled that scary first crux on Gladiator
Here Comes the Judge
Mr. Mud and Clint would be happy to know someone actually was climbing Lithium. Well, it was Steve Curtis.
I'll call Steve Mr. Obscurity. I remember ST user Salamanizer has this to say about him (
source):
Steve Curtis is a true under the radar hardman. This guys been up every long route any sane person shouldn't or wouldn't want to climb, though coincidentally has never been up hardly any of the highly trodden (moderate) classics. Want info on the Steck/Salathe, Crest Jewel, Temple Crag... he has no idea. Ask about something like Ribbon Candy, the Black or that place where they use knots for protection and you'll get pitch for pitch beta complete with detailed crux moves, texture of specific holds and lichen counts. Really, he's the kind of climber alot of people his age wish they could still be, and the person younger climbers hope they will be. I mean, when you're pushing 60 and can still climb 5.11 anything, you're doing something right, eh! Round of applause for that...
