Rock Climbing --- 5/19/2009 - 5/20/2009 --- Gunks

Quick trip to the Gunks to climb with Jen and Lars. We start on High Exposure, then climb Three Doves. This is my hardest lead since the shoulder surgery, and it goes well. To finish the day I lead Bunny and set Retribution. Lars gets this with one hang, which is pretty impressive for someone who has only been climbing a year. I manage to get up the climb using my no-left-hand beta, but need a bunch of hangs at the crux. While all this is going on, we watch some guy lead No Solution. Pretty impressive. We pack up and go for dinner in New Paltz. Then Lars heads back to Ithaca. I don't envy his three hour drive... I'm sleeping before he leaves the parking lot.

Wednesday Jen and I get an early start and climb Limelight. We head to the Arrow rappel anchors to descend, but decide instead to TR the top pitch of Arrow. Then we head to the Gerdie Block and put a TR on Red Cabbage Right. I slip off the start, but come back to the ground and get the climb clean. Jen impresses herself by getting to the top with relative ease. Then I take a second burn on the climb and get it clean again. Jen has to get back to Ithaca, so we pack our gear and head home. With a stop for ice cream. How can you not stop for ice cream? Who does that?

Lars looking slightly annoyed and Jen looking happy at the top of High Exposure. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Lars looking slightly annoyed and Jen looking happy at the top of High Exposure.    Gunks -- 5/19/2009

Jen reaching the top of Three Doves (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Jen reaching the top of Three Doves    Gunks -- 5/19/2009

We watched a guy redpoint No Solution.  I've never seen it led before. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

We watched a guy redpoint No Solution. I've never seen it led before.    Gunks -- 5/19/2009

Skink (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Skink    Gunks -- 5/20/2009

Jen reaching the top of Limelight. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Jen reaching the top of Limelight.    Gunks -- 5/20/2009

Jen making the crux move on Arrow. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Jen making the crux move on Arrow.    Gunks -- 5/20/2009

Jen and I like this picture in the same way we like watching a car wreck. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Jen and I like this picture in the same way we like watching a car wreck.    Gunks -- 5/20/2009

My belay hand. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My belay hand.    Gunks -- 5/20/2009