Return to Deception Crags
Went back to Exit 38 in North Bend with the group and this time, made my very first lead climbs outdoors.
So it seemed that the US army wanted to go climbing today as well. They bought plenty of power and water with them, and had quite the group in tow.
Staking out the route you want. That or declaring that this part of the colonies has just been retaken for the Empire.
The drop off down to the 'Substation' area that lies beneath the old Iron Horse trail.
John started leading the route and had to use a few hex nuts for extra anchors. The bolts were pretty far apart and the route quite a challenging one.
Tom gave it a go after I completed it (the start is the real tricky bit on this one).
Afterwards, we slapped on plenty of sunscreen and headed up to 'Write-off rock' and once again, pooches were present.
And I commenced my first, ever outdoor lead climb. Eep! It's so much more intimidating to not have that reassuring toprope attached to you.
Establishing the anchor (and trying not to look down).
See that anchor? I set that I did. And the fact that those now toproping from it are still alive, suggests I did okay.
Some belaying action in the blinding sunlight. Verbal commands became much more vital because looking up straight into the sun, you couldn't see what the climber was doing, all you could see was the sun blasting you in the face.
So, I decided that those laurels were not worth sitting on, so I took on a tougher and longer route, and not only successfully led this six anchor route, but at the end of the day, cleaned it to. The whole thing, from start to finish. Phew! Success!
So it seemed that the US army wanted to go climbing today as well. They bought plenty of power and water with them, and had quite the group in tow.
Staking out the route you want. That or declaring that this part of the colonies has just been retaken for the Empire.
The drop off down to the 'Substation' area that lies beneath the old Iron Horse trail.
John started leading the route and had to use a few hex nuts for extra anchors. The bolts were pretty far apart and the route quite a challenging one.
Tom gave it a go after I completed it (the start is the real tricky bit on this one).
Afterwards, we slapped on plenty of sunscreen and headed up to 'Write-off rock' and once again, pooches were present.
And I commenced my first, ever outdoor lead climb. Eep! It's so much more intimidating to not have that reassuring toprope attached to you.
Establishing the anchor (and trying not to look down).
See that anchor? I set that I did. And the fact that those now toproping from it are still alive, suggests I did okay.
Some belaying action in the blinding sunlight. Verbal commands became much more vital because looking up straight into the sun, you couldn't see what the climber was doing, all you could see was the sun blasting you in the face.
So, I decided that those laurels were not worth sitting on, so I took on a tougher and longer route, and not only successfully led this six anchor route, but at the end of the day, cleaned it to. The whole thing, from start to finish. Phew! Success!
