What do you get when you mix four guys, two ropes, two racks, and a big piece of granite? A really good time. It was a dawn to dusk day with a two and a half hour drive one way, and an hour long bushwhack approach. It was also really fun.
Can you see why it is called the Whale Dome?
Mike caught up to Ryan and me at the first belay.
Mike climbing the third pitch which was really fun. The first, third, and fifth pitches were the best. Ryan was nice enough to let me have them. I felt a little badly about it because two of his pitches weren't nearly as good. I guess we will have to go do it again so I can repay the favor.
Ryan at the top of the second pitch. It was sure nice of that little tree to provide an anchor for us.
Ryan soloing the last pitch. It just wasn't hard enough to protect, and was barely fifth class. It would have been a nasty fall though, but a climber would have to be trying really hard to fall off there.
Paul, Mike, and Ryan on top. Good climbing, beautiful country, and great friends. What more could you ask for?
The rap off was a little scary too. Once we were over the edge it was 170 feet of free hang. the wind was really blowing, it was getting cold, and we were tired. All the reasons climbers hate rappels. We were careful, and all made it down safely.
That bent up hanger was really confidence inspiring too.
(Sorry about the alignment of this post. I am having blogger problems again, and it won't let me make all the text either centered or aligned left.)
3 comments:
Wow! I've dreamed of doing this climb. Congratulations. It looks like a great day.
It was a great day. Fun climb.
Looks like a sweet climb. BTW, I'm working on a new climbing wall and will send some pics when it's done.
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