Alabama Hills Afternoon Session
Sunday at 11:15am, Hayley and I set out for AH. We got there 1.5 hours later, stoked and ready to climb. We had a great day, climbing from about 1pm to 6pm, we did 6 routes.
Temps set for mid 80s with very little to no wind. We couldn’t ask for more from Mother Nature. Flipping through the guidebook, I came upon The Eye of Horus wall and I was immediately intrigued. Five routes from 5.10a to 5.10d, all in the same location-East facing wall (in the shade from 1pm on). Perfect.
When we got to Alabama Hills, we jumped out of the car, geared up, and headed over to the wall. After a little route finding, bouldering 5.6 moves, we gained the only flat spot from which to belay from! (Picture a gully full of boulders ranging from the size of a SMART car to a Mailtruck). We went from left to right on the wall, and each one of the climbs went down without too much of a fight.
We led Jackal Headed Woman and King Tut vs. John Wayne Live at Caesar’s Palace both 10a. We TR’d King Crack Uncommon (a 5.10b crack trad climb-I left my rack at home-doh!), the 5.10c Climb Like an Egyption, and 5.10d Pharoh’s on Fungi.
Pharoh’s on Fungi was really fun, but we both have to work out the sequence on this one move wonderclimb. We are going to have to do some unconventional stuff to get to the 2nd bolt…but I think we could both lead it once we figure out the sequence.
Hayley almost onsighted Rama Lama Ding Dong, a superb mixed-bag route 5.10a, but she’ll have no problem with the redpoint. Hayley was phenominal, as she ran a race in the morning and got the fastest time for a female, and 5th place overall in the Inyokern 10 mile Race!. Such is the life of a hardcore athlete!
On the way home, just past Fossil Falls, there were some rain showers and we saw a rainbow! A bit of magic to end a day full of fun. I don’t have any pictures for this trip, since it was just the two of us, I didn’t think to bring the camera. In hindsight that was silly. The Sierras are brimmed with snow, and the day was bright and clear. It would have made for some beautiful shots. Oh well, next time?
May 1st, 2006 at 5:22 pm
I don’t usually get many shots on two-person climbing outings. I’d rather have a belay than pictures, usally!
May 1st, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Yes, it would be just my luck if right as I was taking a picture of my partner, they slipped. Then, I might get a neat shot of them falling-but I’d feel really bad for the sloppy belay. And, besides they might get hurt! I managed to get a couple pics of Walter climbing White Lightning at J-tree (while keeping one hand on the brake). It was very tricky, and it didn’t come out as great as if I were able to move around to the side. Butt shots are not the best IMO!!!