On Saturday morning, Tim surprised Hayley & I by showing up for a day of climbing. I was happy because, in addition to not climbing with Tim in a long time, we would be able to capture our adventures on film. It’s much easier to take pics with a party of three.
My elbows were hurting, so I loaded up on vitamin I and we hit the road. We started out at the Arizona Dome and did two really fun moderate climbs. After the second one, I decided to take the day off as the pain was not going away. So, I was the photographer for the day while Tim & Hayley were on a Rampage!
After Arizona Dome, we went to Alabama Dome. An easy RP of the 10a arete by Hayley & Tim, assured both to do some harder climbs. I don’t like the choss on that climb, and it was raining down while both of them ascended. So, I moved away from the wall, into the sun, and took a quick 20 minute nap.
Next up, Hayley got the onsight (for all intents & purposes) of Blockade Runner (5.10c). Tim followed up with a stellar performance-a RP for a guy whose last time out climbing was last year!
After the success on Blockade Runner, Hayley took the bull by the horn and ATTACKED Dihedral Dance (5.10d). Way to Go!!! I can’t wait to give this one a try myself-it looks like major fun. Tim cleaned the route on TR (I think he took a couple of hangs-but I honestly don’t remember).
For an encore, Hayley did a ground up (actually starting on the dirt-not the top of the boulder) send of Ole Pappy (5.10c) over at Shark’s Fin. She very deliberately worked out the moves, and was denied the onsight. She claimed that when she gets the RP, she won’t want to do it again.
There were frequent exchanges between Hayley and the peanut gallery whilst she was climbing Ole Pappy. The candor & cheerful taunting was much appreciated (or so she says…). Unfortunately, her camera quit while she was figuring out the bottom crux, so I don’t have a victory shot of her at the top. What in tarnations!
After Tim cleaned that climb, we planned on heading home. Just as we were finishing, some dude from Irvine showed up and wanted to climb, “The classic route on the Shark’s fin”. So, Tim gave him a belay on the 5.6/7 (whatever it’s rated) corner. I took some pictures of “Rick” as he made it to the top. He set up a rappel, and we watched him gingerly lower himself back down. We wished him luck on his hike the following day up the Mountaineers Route, and then we left.
Hayley got a sticker from the climbing store in Lone Pine, and Tim bought some inedible biscuit like “food” item from the cafe next door. We were home in time for dinner. Another beautiful day to be outside, and what great company to hang out with all day!!!