F****ing Cold at the Pinns

[F4?]

My Lord, today was not the day to go to the High Peaks. I just about froze my nuts off!

I knew it was going to be cold when it started to lightly snow during the first climb. Tiny flurries, no flakes.

We did little Javelina, wow! Nice climb and long. Poor squiddo was freezing his nuts off belaying me. The upper part of the climb was dare I say....mungie. Overall the rock was solid (little sharp). This has to be on the hit list when climbing up there.

Oddly, from the top we could watch one idiot rappeling and then climbing the top part of Hechel Berchel and a poor soul belaying. Hope the said belayer was being treated to a nice dinner.

[mudworm]

On the verge of hypothermia, the said belayer used the thoughts of Korean tufu hot pot to stay warm.  The day ended with Uber ropegunning Lava Falls for that Herchel Berchel fool and taking everyone to a happy Korean hot pot dinner. 

I luv ya, Uber   

[Brad Young]

Wasn't so cold at Gold Wall, climbed in shorts much of the day. But Gold Wall vs climbing at Pinns, hummm, which would I rather do? Mudworm, could you convince geeser boy to post up or email me - did he redpoint that pitch?

[F4?]

Glad to hear adaquate compensation was given for belaying on such a chilly day.

Thought I had seen 3 fleas over there moving about. Did you happen to gaze accross the valley and see an orange flea and a black one?

[mudworm]

Brad, I sent him out to fix the porch light two hours ago, and he has been talking to our neighbor since. Doesn't look like he is coming home anytime soon. The answer is no. He only got to check out the route on top rope and decided that he was not strong enough to lead it. 

F4, you must have been hallucinating. Were you cold or something?  I was the only one foolish enough to go out there with him. Always hated that approach.  Afterwards, we intercepted Uber and company on their way out.  Mr Mud mentioned Lava Falls and Uber turned around. Didn't get out of the park until after dark. Storm said he saw some dots at the High Peaks.

[F4?]

Well we were sure there were 2 and couldn't be sure of the 3rd. Maybe my eyes were brurred from the cold.

We were back at the E side parking lot having a beer by 4 or so. It just didn't make sense to keep climbing with the temps dropping like they were.

PS, it's a good thing you didn't send him out for milk and sugar, might not see him for a week.

[mynameismud]

 There was just the two of us.  I rapped down and checked it out on rappel.  It is a funky angle to try and TR.  Mudworm belayed me up the last bit.
 I am a bit opposite from Mudworm.  I like climbing out there the approach is not to long 20 - 30 minutes and there isn't that much brush.   No people.  The climbs out on the Western Front have good rock over all.  The 5.5 out there, I think the name is Cat and Mouse, should get at least one star if not two.  The rock quality is as good as it gets and it has a unique character.  If the road was not visible from the summit I would say it is definitely a three star route.
 My one cautionary word for people that go out there is bring warm cloths.  I think that I have been out there around a dozen times and just about every time it has been fairly windy.
 I did see some folks over on the High Peaks.
 Ubber hiked Lava Falls and I really enjoyed following it.  Has been a long time since I hiked out of the Pins in the dark and was also the first car in the lot.  Made my day.

[F4?]

Having one of those motorola radios amongs the various goups would be nice. I'll look for mine tonight.

[squiddo]

Froze is right but you know what, it's always worth it. I love that place. I second F4's comment on Javelina....even though I had to stop once (warm up my fecking hands), it was still a 5 star route. Quite some mud on the upper part but once cleaned it will shine. I couldn't help but think that if it weren't 2 miles from the car it would have a line. Stom and mudworm....as cold as we were your position HAD to be freezing. mudworm, you are a champ for enduring.

[mudworm]

mudworm, you are a champ for enduring.

Oh, Squiddo, I wish I were. No, I had my complaints, although not about the temp, but about the approach, and Mr Mud didn't like to hear it. I don't mind the distance or steepness, but has never enjoyed walking on a non-trail. At its best, the path is covered in layers of dirt and leaves where I loose my balance left and right; the worst part is scrambling on steep hillside. The amazing thing is Mr Mud just walks ahead like it's nothing.

[squiddo]

lol.....perhaps a guy thing. Then again, perhaps you married a rough and tumble guy. Frankly, I don't mind the bushwack, provided it's not through poison oak! The more that I get to these removed areas though the more I enjoy them. Getting away from the crowds is a nice one.

[mungeclimber]

TICKS

[mudworm]

Ticks? That reminded me something else:

As soon as we veered off the regular trail, Mr Mud stopped and tucked his pant legs into his socks. He says ticks cannot get in because they only move upward. He was all prepared! I looked down at my own socks. They are the cute kind, you know, where the top edge barely shows beyond the shoe.  I didn't have the option to tuck my pants in!  Thank you for sharing your experience, partner! 

[mynameismud]

I have come to realize the convertible pants are quite nice for these adventures.  The flap that covers the zipper to remove the legs will stop almost all of the ticks.  When wearing these pants I stop on occasion and look under the flap.  There will usually be one or two ticks.  I flick them off then lower the flap and go on. 

There is a small hole where the two zippers come together.  Experience has determined that putting a piece of tape over this hole is a good practice

Here's ta sweat in your eye

[squiddo]

Good one Mr Mud. I've picked off more than a few. This past Fall (last week with the weather we've been having) proved a good tick season due to the dry warm conditions. Lets put that behind us....hate the sick little buggers.

[mungeclimber]

Will RAID work on Ticks?

Or do I need a defoliant to remove the habitat of the ticks?

[F4?]

Thread Drift!