Long time no see...

WOW, I can't believe it has been over a year since I posted here last.  It hasn't been a year since I've been out climbing or hiking, but I'll get back to regular updates again now that I'm back in NH.  Tomorrow, I'll post some pics of climbing in Pawtuckaway on Wednesday.  Yep, I got in a climbing day just before we are forecast to receive a foot of snow.  It has started snowing already, so it looks like the forecast will be right.  Come on Spring!!

Route Map

Here is an updated photo of the cliff we climbed last week.  I've added the routes and names of the two routes we did in a day.  There is another line that looks really sweet that follows the first pitch of 'Claro que no' and then follows the line to the left.  We want to call it 'Claro que si' but we'll have to send it first!

Two in a Day!

Ha! Take that T.C.! You're not the only one who can do two routes in a day!

Yesterday, Jeremy and I had a great long day, racking up about 450' vertical, all trad, all gear belays. (OK so we're only about 5,550' and about 4 number grades lower than what T.C. does, but it was still wicked fun, and the first time we've been able to do more than one route at Aldamaga.

We left the car right at about noon, and had a hot hike in the blazing sun. Fortunately we only had to wait about 20 minutes for the shade to cover the route. We were racked up and ready to go and left tierra firma as soon as the shade allowed.

First up was T-Rex, 230' and just as fierce as the last time I tried and bruised my heels in a fall from the crux. We're figuring the pitches are 5.10 a/b and 5.9 respectively. After topping out, we walked back down the 'gulley of doom' where Jeremy managed to have a rock fall on his ankel and open up a nice gash. Though not as nice, (or as bloody) as the gash from our last trip out.

We chugged a bunch of water, gatoraid, and ate some oranges before starting up Claro Que No! A very nice 5.8 entry pitch to a somewhat scarry hanging belay 80' up. The second pitch is amazing... about 140' up a excellent and sustained 5.9. There are a few very exposed and insecure moves traversing from one crack system to another. Full Value!

We topped out around 7:00 pm just as the sun was going down, and as we made our second trip of the day down the 'gulley of doom' we were able to bask in our accomplishment, enjoy the view of the sun setting on the mountian ridge across the valley, and watch the moon rise.

The desert is an amazing place to climb, and as we had a celebratory smoke while packing for the hike to the van, I'd say I experienced a moment of grace... One of those moments when you know God is giving you an amazing gift, simply because you're His child, and beloved.

Congrats Jeremy, thanks Lord...

How about three...?!?

Return to Majalca

We really like going out to Majalca when we can.  It is a great escape from the city and gives us a chance to breathe fresh air and stretch our legs on something softer than concrete.

Here is a shot from the road into the park, you can see the road snaking through the valley.

Once we get up into the park we are around 7000 feet elevation and the road drops into the riverbed and winds through the canyon.
Here is a shot of me on one of the boulders we found at the far end of the camping area in the park.  You could call this a highball, we haven't topped it out yet - it is a bit scary when you get up that high.

Majalca Rocks!

We went out to Majalca with the Worleys last weekend and got in a little good climbing.  Here I am cleaning 'Circus Ride' on a tower near our campsite.   More importantly, while we were helping get a truck unstuck from the creek, we noticed a few nice boulders that we hadn't seen before.  Looks like a half-dozen decent overhanging boulder problems that top out at close to 9 or 10 feet up.
Right around the corner from these boulders was a nice looking bolted route that is very high, maybe 15 bolts, and further downstream a few sweet looking cracks.  We didn't have our gear with us at this time because we went downstream to help some guys get their truck out, but next time we know where to go.

Aldama - Part III - B12

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to put down another untouched trad climb just outside of Aldama Mexico, here it is!

The picture below is of us finally reaching the starting point of the first pitch. It took us a good 20 minute walk from Suburban to base in a less then ideal hiking area. Sharp desert plants, tons and tons of loose rocks, and straight up hill while in the sun. Needless to say we were glad for a small rest in the shade before we began the accent.

See the main dirt road? Just below that is another dirt road, although not used as much, or as big. Near that is where the Black Suburban that we hiked from is.

Mike on the first section of the climb.

Top out pics! It was a great climb that was relentless and had a couple of challenging sections. By the end of the 250 ft. our muscels were exhausted and my finger tips were thrashed. Being the first accent of this climb we named it;

B-12

The name comes from the vitaman supplement I had with me that we took, before we arrived to the climb.

Till the next time, climb hard, be safe, and "thank" the God of creation for the adventures we can have in what He has made!

Back to Aldama

We went back to the crag past Aldama last week for the express purpose of learning to communicate in Spanish while climbing. Here are a few pics of Mike leading a nice multi-pitch crack there. We ended up topping out another nice two-pitch crack together off to the right of this one and we hope to go back to finish this route another time.