On Sunday, I met Erin at 5am to hike up to the base of the Third Flatiron. Erin was one of my students in Basic Rock Climbing school with the CMC. She has really taken to climbing and very eager to be leading. A good first multi-pitch lead climb is the Third Flatiron, so we were off for an adventure!
We got to the base of the flatiron and there was one party just stepping out on the rock. I was surprised as it was just after 6am. They quickly progressed up the rock and it was our turn.
All of a sudden this old guy and a very young gal show up. The guy starts heading up the rock, to my astonishment. I couldn’t believe how rude he was and his young partner didn’t have him on belay, or even know how to do it! In fact, she was really nervous because he kept yelling at her, barking orders about the rope.
Turns out she is home for summer break and he is a friend of her parents. She expresses that she has not climbed outside a gym and doesn’t at all feel comfortable. Erin and I take pity on her and walk her through how everything works. When it’s her turn to climb, he’s yanking the rope and shouting at her to climb up.
Now, I don’t know if you’ve done the Third Flatiron, but it starts from a nice big ledge and then the climber traverses out onto a fairly steep slab. There is a huge dropoff right away and all the safe feelings from the ledge disappear. Poor thing, she started shaking! Again, Erin and I calm her down and tell her to focus on her feet and hands…one thing at a time.
I started leading right behind her and coaching her through gear removal and how to communicate with the belayer. Her aged partner was just giving her earfulls. I told her to concentrate on the climb and as long as he had her on belay she would be okay.
So, finally, she felt comfortable to climb and ended up doing okay. But, Erin and I both thought it was a shame she had to deal with him. We felt like snatching her from his evil clutches and having her climb with us. If only I had a 2nd rope!
Well, back to our climb. Erin did awesome. She just needs to work on placement of gear and particularly the cams. Her passive pro looks great. I gave her feedback through out the climb, but at this point, she mainly just needs experience. (Don’t we all!).
SO, here are some super cute pictures I got of Erin as she swung lead for the first time. To Erin, I say, “You *GO* girl!”.
Erin, Roped Up and Ready to Go!
Erin Leading Pitch 2
Erin at the end of Pitch 3
Truck, Super Nice Dude from Avery Brewery!
Erin Leading Pitch 4
Happy Summit Face!
Rappeling Off the Third
We Hiked Back to Our Packs in VFFs
Tags: Boulder, CO, Rock Climbing, Third Flatiron