Highlights of another fantastic weekend with the Pinnacles tribe:
- A new trail into Pipsqueak Pinnacle that follows the totally logical path;
- Careful obliteration of the old, not-very-good trails into Pipsqueak (great work here by Adam especially);
- Two fun nights of socializing, enabled by the Park Service and, especially by Larry and Jane's careful planning and preparation;
- Having Mr. Mud join us even with a wounded shoulder; just by being there he added energy and fun;
- Meeting Nelkins from this site (he's real, he works hard, and he's got a ton of Pinnacles experience - going out to The Hand and Frog was nothing new to him; I'm bummed that through our delays on Sunday he didn't climb with us up in the High Peaks);
- The hard work, camaraderie and cooperation that allowed 18 people on our team to improve the trail to The Hand and Frog, including obliterating also the "old" trail next to the CCC road in favor of clearing that already-existing trail tread;
- Seeing Jean "Tuckey" and Adam on The Hand - apparently Adam was kind enough to give her a "tour" so that, not having climbed there much, she could lead three star Pinns routes (at the end of the work day, with the rain stopped, the two sneaked over to The Salathe Route and all the trail crew got to stop and watch as she led the second pitch - and BTW, red's a good color on you Jean);
- Getting the third lead of Aaron and Jon's new route Where's Waldo. Brilliant name (Bob Walton helped them with it), but an even more brilliant route;
- Meeting Kyqueeener of this site too, and getting to do an FA with he and Gavin yesterday (Kyle is real too, and man is he strong and smooth on the rock - let's climb together again at Pinns Kyle, I've got a few more FAs that need to be done there - but bring your comfortable shoes);
- Learning on the way home that, not only was J.C. successful on The Hand, but my friend Joel led it and loved it too.
That was a great start to what promises to be another wonderful Pinns season.