Okay - here is a TR and a few choice pics. Aaron and I headed down Friday afternoon about 2, set up camp and hit the Tourist Trap for a bit. I wanted to warm up on Supply Side Hamster but I was wearing shorts and forgot my bug juice and the skeeters were devouring my legs back there in the shade. Without much time to spare we decided to try Thrill Hammer 5.8**. Now I was a bit wary having looked at it on a previous occasion(when I led Pastie) and I had myself a bit psyched out knowing it was a Rubine FA. I seem to have more trouble than usual on his routes. Hitting it cold and feeling a bit rushed probably didn't help either. Long story short, I evidently was a little off my game and slightly off balance. I managed to get gripped and ended up hanging on the first crux - needless to say I was PISSED! I really wanted to get that one clean and I only missed by one move. Oh well...sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug (did I mention I loathe country music?). I got back on my feet, cruised to the top and really enjoyed placing the gear and pulling the exit moves over the bulge. I'll have to go back for a redpoint.
Aaron ran a few toprope laps along TH and a flaky line to the left and we headed back to meet KC and get some pizza and beer.
Ryan and Chantal joined us after dinner and we had a relaxing and fairly early night with a small fire.
Saturday we headed up about 9:00 and went directly back to the Hamsters. Aaron and I took turns onsighting Supply Side Hamster 5.7* and moved up to the upper routes. I led Crampster 5.1 and Aaron followed far enough to get the few pieces I placed and then transitioned on to Hamsternomics 5.8. KC followed and we all went back down, had a snack and crawled up the Hamster Hole so I could lead Hamsternomics.
JC leading Hamsternomics 5.8 - contemplating the runout after the last good placement.
KC topping out on Hamsternomics
I had been wanting to check out Spanky 5.7 for a while so we ventured up to the Ignorable Cliffs and I led that one.
That is one Little Rascal of a climb.
JC on Spanky - committed and all in
We continued up to Discovery and met up with Mr Mud, Gavin and Joe. They were running laps on Pistol Whipped and The Verdict.
Gavin working The Verdict 5.11a***
Aaron decided to lead Cleft and Ryan showed up to work on Stupendous Man.
Aaron starting up Cleft 5.6**
KC followed Aaron and I spent some time just drinking it all in.
KC follows Cleft while Joe gets Pistol Whipped 5.10dR
I don't usually get 4 onsights in a day, so I didn't care what we did the rest of the afternoon(slacker!). As the afternoon got closer to supper time, thoughts of beer and food started the parade back(Joe Mud and Gavin). Aaron tried the hard stuff on TR and we pulled the rope and headed back toward camp.
We had a good crowd Saturday night and stayed up past midnight - WAY beyond our bedtime!
Sunday took us back to Disco with a bunch of different groups and partners. Aaron took Laura and Kristen up Portent and KC and I decided on Lost Horizons. We were lost the rest of the day! That climb has it all - awkward and tricky, committing, scary and fun. I think it is the real Ordeal - certainly more of an ordeal for me!
JC starts up Lost Horizons 5.8*
I was too sketched out on the thin traverse to get another piece in and truly screwed KC on second. Now we both understand the art of screwing the 2nd!
KC prepares to leave the corner on to the traumatic traverse
After we finished that, we went back down to see what everyone was doing. Joel led the Cleft and Laura and Kristen followed while Aaron took a shot at leading Stupendous Man.
Aaron setting up the crux on Stupendous Man 5.10a***
We decided to head to the Monolith with an eye towards leading the Direct Route but there was someone getting ready to start it - so we continued on to the Sisters. I had been wanting to try Lost Sister for a while, so we kept with the Lost theme and finished on that. I thought it was an enjoyable route.
JC leads Lost Sister 5.7* I got two sling knobs and a nut in before the first bolt.
Great finish to a fun day and an enjoyable weekend!!!
