The following report is courtesy of Walter, my most regular climbing partner since I moved to Ridgecrest. If it wasn’t for this guy, I wouldn’t get out half the times I do!!!
“Clare and I went climbing at Alabama Hills on Saturday, April 8. A beautiful Sunny day with a slight breeze. It was a little cool in the shade but perfect in the sun. It was very crowded with students on Spring Break and other visitors.
We left from my house about 0830 or so and got started climbing by 1000. We started at the Elephant Rock on Rama-lama-ding-dong (10a). With some beta from Clare I was able to pull the overhang (crux), get the red-point and get the R-l-d-d monkey off my back!
Clare was also going to lead Rama but she was sore from climbing at New Jack City on Friday. She had climbed several 10b’s down there and her fingers were still red with skin missing on the tips. Plus she had been up to about 1 in the morning and was tired to boot. So after an attempt by her, I lead it again (another red-point) and then she TR’d it.
Next, we went over to the Loaf area. I had never climbed here before. We took two ropes and I on-sighted Pangborn (10a) and Ranger Ron (8). Clare followed on both bringing up the second rope. These routes are 150 feet long and it takes two ropes to rappel back to the ground.
After the Loaf we went over to Hoodgie Wall and I climbed Ankles Away (8) and Leonoshere (8) as a “cool down”. Then, since no one was on it, I jumped on Mon Cherie (9) for the piece de resistance. Clare belayed me on these three climbs and then I rapped off and cleaned.
We stopped at the Whitney Restaurant for “burgers to go” and got back to my House about 1830. A big “THANK-YOU!” and tip-of-the-hat to Clare for coming out and climbing with me in spite of being sore and tired. ”
-wdr
Clare,
-wdr
I’m proud to be your climbing partner any day of the week and twice on Sunday. (LOL) 😀 I’m glad I got to be the one to climb some great Sierra, Joshua Tree and Tuolumne climbs with you. Thank *you*.