I added two routes to the list today:
- 401.5 Back Track 5.4
- 401.6 Hat Trick 5.5
Tricia and I put these climbs up together, and I wanted to post a little about the derivation of the formation name. Tricia plays in the "Orange Crush," Summerville High School's band (the school colors are black and orange). She plays trumpet. She absolutely loves the instrument and loves her peer group.
On occasion, Orange Crush gets fancy. They have and wear full dress uniforms for things like the Homecoming football game. As part of their uniform they wear shakos. A shako is is military-style hat that includes a plume. It has a unique look. Here's a shako on Tricia:
Here's a photo of the Pinnacles rock formation "The Shako" (both shots taken from the High Peaks Trail; note also that The Shako is left of The Snout in both photos):
The colors might be different, but I think it is obvious that the basic idea is the same.
She and I had a good day. After I placed the first summit bolt, she came up and helped place the second (and took selfies too while I did my share of drilling):
The anchor turned out well (well equalized with two very nice bolts):
Neither route is as good quality as I'd hoped. Still, both are relatively long and we reached the top of a pinnacle that had (to all appearances) never been reached. But the best part was having a great day with this tough and fun kid (I really, really like her).
And one last shot; me drilling the first lead bolt on Hat Trick:
