Posts Tagged ‘Rock Climbing’

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Rock Climbing – CMC Climber’s Festival

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

CMC Climbergirls

On Saturday, I led a rock climbing trip as part of the CMC Climber’s Festival. I led Breezy and then Wind Ridge. Rick was my co-leader and he led Breezy and then meandered over to some other moderates on the wall.

In the afternoon, Rick led a separate trip to top rope the routes at Supremacy Slab while Erin, Ilene, and I chilled at the Eldorado Canyon Visitor’s Center. We waited patiently for the bbq celebration to start. We were thrilled when we walked around back and saw coolers with Beer and Food! Yay!

CMC Eldorado Canyon Climbing Festival
Chris got started on bratwurst right away while I cooked up the hot dogs. Jeffrey and Rick were the next to show up, followed by Brenda, Wayne and Susan, Slava, and the rest of the Boulder gang. We had a lovely afternoon hanging out on the patio (so nicely supplied by the Eldorado State Park people), telling climbing stories, and talking about climbing.

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Basic Rock Climbing School – Graduation Climb #2

Sunday, May 19th, 2013

And That's a Rap!
Erin and Clare, Sweet Success on Another Summit!

Climbergirl Prepping to Lower Student

Erin and Slava Hanging Out on First Flatiron

Today, Slava, Erin, and I took two more Basic Rock Climbing Students on their Graduation Climb. Today, James and TeeJay would get to test their mettle against the First Flatiron. I had TeeJay climb with Slava, as I figured they would make a good team. Erin and I took James.

Oddly enough, about 18 months ago, Erin did this climb for the first time, as one of my students. And, now, she gets the opportunity to encourage and help others with their first time. I was very happy she agreed to come along it’s a totally different experience, when others are depending upon you to be the expert!

James Climbing First Flatiron

Turns out, James completed the first pitch (which was awesome!). After the first pitch, he was satisfied with his experience, so he decided to have us lower him. And, since James is an awesome dude, he hiked around to the backside of the flatiron and met us when we completed the climb!

TeeJay and Slava on First Flatiron
TeeJay and Slava on First Flatiron Summit

TeeJay did great on the climb. Plus, this guy is always smiling! Slava and he climbed rather slow, but it was Slava’s first time leading this climb and it was TeeJay’s first time cleaning a multi-pitch climb. Also, TeeJay couldn’t get one of my pieces out, so some guy with dreads came along and cleaned it for him. So, I got my gear back (yay!).

Overall, I was happy things worked themselves out. We celebrated our success at Southern Sun. Doesn’t get much better than that!

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Basic Rock Climbing School – Instructor

Sunday, April 28th, 2013

Basic Rock Climbing School Spring 2013
Pictured above: David, Slava (Assistant Instructor), Wendy, Roger (Assistant Instructor), Kimberly, Zack, myself, James, and TeeJay

This spring, I volunteered to be the Senior Instructor for the Colorado Mountain Club Boulder Section’s Basic Rock Climbing School. This means, I was in charge of picking our field trips, ensuring everybody was safe, selecting assistant instructors, and teaching the techniques, theory, and application of course material.

It was quite the undertaking, but by having Slava and Roger as my assistants, I felt much more confident we would have success. Roger is the Chair of the Boulder CMC Council and has been one of the knot testers for the club in past years. Slava is a serious mountain man and somebody I definitely trust at the other end of my rope!

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Rock Climbing – Turkey Rocks

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

This weekend, when we disappear into the Banana Belt, we decide to take our gear! For the third weekend in a row, we head to where it’s warmest. Escaping the still chilly air of Denver and heading for the areas south of Pine is a sure way to catch some rays!

Turkey Rocks Road
It had been 5 years since my last trip to Turkey Rocks, so I was excited to return. The last time I was there, it was super hot and totally overrun with climbers.

This time, we would only ever see 4 other people. One couple, we saw at the parking lot, disappeared to climb a different crag (we were headed to Turkey Perch). Later in the day a pair of dudes showed up and they mostly flailed around on some of the harder climbs on Turkey Perch.

Clare Setting Anchors at Turkey Rocks

In any event, we set up top ropes on Left Handed Jew and Honky Jam Ass Crack. Setting up the top ropes was a bit tricky because I forgot how wide the crack was up there. I placed a #4 and a #3, but the #3 was a bit wobbly. Next time, I will bring my #6!

Erin Mock Leading at Turkey Rocks

Our goal for the day was to have Erin practice placing gear on TR and I would come along and check her placements. We did each route a couple of times and then it was time to head home. It was a nice day for climbing and we both had a lot of fun.

Pike's Peak in Side Mirror
View of Pike’s Peak in Side Mirror

All Photo’s courtesy of Erin as I forgot my camera.

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Rock Climbing – The Spy

Friday, April 5th, 2013

Erin Preps to Lead The Spy Climbergirls Ready to Climb The Spy
Pictures Courtesy of Erin Thompson

The days are longer and spring is upon us, so I decide to join Erin for an afternoon of climbing The Spy. Unfortunately, we miss the proper start and she ends up creating her own line. She veers back on route, but by then, it’s too late to finish the climb.

We are cheered by the discovery of an orange metolius cam which is wedged in a horizontal crack. It looks a bit worn but still new enough to make a recovery effort worthwhile. She works on it a little bit, then I do, then we give up.

Meanwhile two dudes who are soloing come along and give it a whirl. They can’t get it out either, so as sun is setting, we get our nut tool back from them and retreat to the comforts of Boulder.

“Mmmmm, beer!” ~Homer Simpson

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