Rock Climbing --- 6/15/2012 - 7/23/2012 --- United States

Summer 2012 Road Trip.

This album contains the full trip story and all the photos. Check the highlights album for a summary of the trip.

6/15
Mike and Beth arrive in Ithaca. We sort and merge gear. We create a super rack which should be sufficient for every climb we plan to do the entire summer.

6/16
We tetris our gear into the very full car and drive to the New River Gorge. Meet up with Guy, Katie and Ross. Hang out for the evening and get a very tilted night sleeping on sand by the river.

6/17
Intermittent rain hinders our day. We head to Butcher's Branch at Kaymoor. I lead Play It By Ear (5.10a) but am stymied by the final move. Climbing it a second time on toprope, I get the sequence which turns out to be pretty easy and straightforward. Doh! After that I toprope The Green Piece (5.10b) and then lead Flight Of The Gumbie (5.9).

We head out for a quick swim in the river. Guy, Katie and Ross all have to depart. People with lives other than climbing? Weird!

6/18
Thunderstorms all night. Rain in the morning. Mike and Beth learn that their tent leaks. We head to the local gear shop to browse while the rock dries. After sufficient time, we head to Kaymoor Slabs (which is supposed to dry rapidly after rain). Arriving just in time for another rain shower, we give up. We get in the car and drive through the night to Wyoming.

6/19
Marissa has helpfully gone to my house and packaged the backup tent for Mike and Beth. It arrives in Cheyenne the same time we do. Though tracking it down requires much effort on our part. The postal employees are very courteous and helpful, just not very good at actually sorting mail. The tent is finally located in some random bin in the back of one of the local post offices.

We arrive at the Big Sandy trailhead at 1am. That is about 32 hours after leaving West Virginia.

6/20
Rest day at the trailhead. We sleep late, acclimatize, organize gear and bathe.

6/21
Solstice! The long days are helpful for long climbs. I have hardly used my headlamp the entire trip.

We hike about seven miles to Sundance Pinnacle above Big Sandy Lake. At 9850', this is Mike's lifetime high point. We set camp in an open meadow and I go off to scout the approach to Sundance.

6/22
5:30am wake to climb the East Face of Sundance Pinnacle (5.9). Mike leads the first two pitches and I lead the second two. The climbing is surprisingly good. We are on the summit around 10:30am. At 11,054' this is Mike's lifetime high point.

We finish early enough to head to the cirque. Pack our gear and hike over Jackass Pass into the Cirque of the Towers. There is lots of snow on the ground and it is hard to find a place to camp. Finally we find a lovely spot with trees for shade and shelter, a good water source, and reasonably level ground. Woot!

6/23
Rest day. Rinse clothes. Play cards. Build a bridge over the creek. We scout the approach to the NE Face of Pingora. The key to the approach is staying low. Follow the cirque drainage to Lonesome Lake, skirt the shore of the lake, then head up to Pingora. We get too high on the approach and it takes 2.5 hours of boulder hopping. Returning to camp nice and low takes us only 40 minutes.

6/24
5:30am wake for the South Buttress of Pingora (5.8). I had done this climb the last time I was here and I really love it. I get to lead every pitch. We set a nice leisurely pace and take plenty of pictures. We reach the summit (11,884' and Mike's lifetime high point) early and hang out enjoying the spectacular view. An excellent day!

Walking back to camp we see one other party camped a half mile from us, the only other climbers we see in the cirque.

Me: I hope they aren't taking a rest day tomorrow too.

Mike: Why?

Me: Because we will have to get up super early to beat them to it.

Mike: I don't think it works that way.

Me: I'm pretty sure it does.

6/25
Ominous weather convinces Mike and I that our rest day in anticipation of climbing the NE Face of Pingora is a good choice. We play lots of cards, challenge ourselves with the climber game, and read our books. High winds and evening thunderstorms encourage plenty of rest time. The mild thunderstorm turns somewhat scary when we get a strike about 1/4 mile from camp.

6/26
Awake at 4:30am for the Northeast Face of Pingora (5.8). This long route has been one of my goals since I saw it on my first trip to the cirque. Finally getting on it!

We are climbing before 6am. Mike and I start swinging leads, but after the first few pitches we settle on me leading everything and Mike carrying the two packs. We are both happier with that solution. It is a bluebird day but very windy. Never once getting off route, we break some pitches at odd points, and link others. In the end, I think we did the whole thing in 12 pitches, reaching the summit around 3pm and getting back to camp around 6pm.

I'll admit that we skipped the 5.8 offwidth bit (and the 5.9 lieback alternative) in favor of some harder but more straightforward thin crack climbing. I have to aid the crack where it gets really thin and dirty, but otherwise it goes free at 5.9+ or so. Advantages of not climbing the offwidth include not having to drag packs through the offwidth, getting a booty nut and biner off the thin crack... and not having to climb the offwidth :)

Our rack was a set of nuts, green C3, green alien, yellow alien, red alien (2), .5, .75, 1 (2), 2 (2), 3, 4. I was pretty happy with that rack. We could have done without the two smallest cams. The #4 isn't truly necessary, but we were able to place it on almost every pitch. And it provides some protection on the final chimney, which is basically a 5.6 free solo. I don't understand topos which recommend a single set of nuts and cams for this climb. The pitches are long and all of the anchors are gear anchors. Our rack was heavy, but I wouldn't want to do the climb with anything less.

6/27
We pack camp and hike seven miles to Deep Lake. No mosquitos here! As we arrive at Deep Lake a huge wall of smoke moves in to cover the cirque and then steadily moves toward us until we are encased in a thick haze.

6/28
Still surrounded by smoke, we decide to hike out. We are a bit concerned about the remote chance that the fire is near the trailhead and will cause us problems on the hike out. We blast the hike from Deep Lake eight or nine miles to the trailhead in well under four hours.

Driving to Pinedale, we learn that the fire is a good 50 miles west of where we were. So it wasn't really a concern. All of Pinedale is coated in the same thick haze which blots out the sky. We settle in at a mediocre and expensive private campground and head to a Mexican restaurant to eat massive quantities of food.

6/29
Driving all day across the vacant desert of Nevada. We camp in Bishop at Pleasant Valley, but the fisherman's Pleasant Valley, not the climber's Pleasant Valley Pit (which may or may not be open in the summer, I'm not sure).

6/30
Awake early and off to the National Forest office to get a permit for Charlotte Dome. We get the permit no problem and at no cost! We drive to the trailhead where we find plenty of bear boxes (a big contrast from my last visit to this trailhead). The stars are aligned for us!

By noon we are hiking. The trail gains 2600' in the first five miles to reach Kearsarge pass at 11,810'. Pretty brutal. After that we do another five miles down and up and down... we finish the day at a nice camping spot around 10,000'.

7/1
We move camp a few miles to a gorgeous spot on the eastern bench of Charlotte Dome. This spot is about 700' above the start of our climb. Mike and I scout the approach which is straightforward from here. I prefer a rest day prior to big climbs. Moving camp and scouting the approach gives us about five hours of hiking for the day. Not much of a rest day. Oh well.

7/2
Awake at 4:15am for Charlotte Dome (5.8). We are climbing before 6am. Mike takes the first block, leading p1 to p4. I take the second block all the way to the summit at the top of p12. I get off route once near the top. Or not really off route as I read the topo, just missed the one decent belay. So I end up climbing p9-p11 in just two rope stretching pitches. The struggle is to get a belay in the middle of the furrows which hardly takes any gear at all. I don't recommend this option!

The three of us reach the summit before 5pm and a leisurely walkoff gets us back to camp by 6pm... plenty of time to play a few hands of pitch. We have beautiful weather all day long and no bugs. The whole climb is amazing, especially p6 "The Slot" and p8 "The Awkward Crack." Our rack is a set of nuts, red alien, .75 (2), 1 (2), 2 (2), 3. Mike and I agree that we would have liked to have a .5 and yellow alien as well. The whole climb takes nuts and all of the belays take a ton of gear... if you can find the belay :)

Me: I'd like a giant Clif bar shaped to fit perfectly in a bear canister.  That would be very space efficient.

Mike: I'd rather have a bear canister filled with M&Ms.

Me: But there would be lots of wasted space.

Mike: Fill it with chocolate syrup.

Me: You have a point.

7/3
Eight+ hours of hiking. About 13 miles from Charlotte Dome all the way back to the car. Arrived at the trailhead around 6pm. Very tired! Ate one of Mike's freeze dried meals. Turns out the two servings I ate had a total of 254% of my RDA of fiber. No kidding.

We camp at the bottom of the road and enjoy a warm night and a full moon.

7/4
Independence day in Independence, California. Really. We do some swimming and wash our clothes. We head to Bishop. I'd like to see Galen Rowell's Mountain Light Gallery, but it is closed for the holiday. Mike and I get on the Iron Man Traverse (V4). We don't quite send the problem, but we make good progress. I'm sure if the temperature wasn't 102F we would have sent. I'd love to spend a month bouldering here and getting super strong... but not in the middle of the summer.

We stock up on groceries and drive to the eastern edge of Yosemite.

7/5
3am wake! The earliest of the entire trip. Just to get in line at Camp 4 :(

We have to drive about 2 hours from the Mono Lake area to the Valley. There we are first in line for a spot at Camp 4. But only barely first in line as the line quickly builds behind us. We have time for many hands of cards waiting for Pinky to open the ranger booth.

After getting our site we sort our food into bear boxes and sort our climbing gear into packs. We enjoy a shower at Curry Village... something I'll take advantage of every day in the valley.

7/6
We head to Church Bowl for a day of single pitch climbing. Mike leads Uncle Fanny (5.7); I lead Church Bowl Lieback (5.8); next I lead Pole Position (5.10a) a slab climb with 6 bolts and no other gear in 130' of climbing! I lead it on doubles so we can get down after Mike and Beth follow the pitch. We finish the day with my lead of Bishop's Terrace (5.8) a spectacular 200' rope stretcher of a pitch.

7/7
We climb Nutcracker (5.8) and the first pitch of After Seven (5.8). I'm happy to lead all the pitches, especially since Ryan got all the good pitches the last time I climbed Nutcracker. I have no idea how the mantle move can be considered the crux of Nutcracker. Virtually every move on the first pitch is harder than that one easy mantle.

7/8
Rest morning. I head to Yosemite Lodge for wifi. And Curry Village for a shower. We head to The Grack (5.6) in the afternoon and our timing is perfect. We arrive just as it goes into the shade. Mike leads all of The Grack and we toprope the slabby first pitch of Marginal (5.9) on the way down.

After about 100 hands of pitch, we start playing Schafskopf. Now we can go back and forth between the two games (with an occasional rummey detour) to keep the card games interesting.

7/9
It is hot in the valley and getting hotter. We play tourist all day and make plans to head to Tuolumne. As temperatures cool in the evening, Mike and I boulder a bit. We are handily shut down by all the random problems we find in the boulders surrounding Camp 4.

7/10
We leave the valley and get a site at Tuolumne Meadows. After setting up camp, we head to Pothole Dome for some toproping. We climb a few different variations of TR #5 and TR #2 which are both around 5.9+ for one move and low angle slab for the rest of the pitch. We finish the day setting a toprope on Potluck (5.11) which is a short, hard, overhung hand crack. Mike and I get about one move from the top, but neither of us can finish the climb.

7/11
We head to Stately Pleasure Dome where we climb Hermaphrodite to Boltline. I lead the approach pitch of Hermaphrodite (5.4) and Mike leads the two fun pitches, getting us to the top of the giant flake. Then I lead the exciting 5.10b variation of Boltline. Just eight bolts in 160' of climbing. Unfortunately, the bolted anchor SuperTopo shows at the top of Boltline does not exist. This is confirmed by a guide on the climb next to us. We don't have shoes, so walking off is not enticing. I have no trad gear, so I have to lower back to the belay by untying and pulling my rope from all the bolts more than 100' above the belay. I get the trad rack and reclimb the pitch placing gear in the 5.8 standard variation. Then I downclimb the entire pitch cleaning gear from both lines as I go. Moderately epic. Once we are all back to the top of Hermaphrodite, it is two double rope rappels back to the base of the dome.

7/12
Wake at 5:30am for Cathedral Peak. We hike quickly and are climbing before 8am. We are the first of at least eight parties who will climb the route today. Being first is nice :)

Mike leads p1 to p3. I lead p4 and p5, breaking p5 into two pitches so I can do the 5.9 finger crack variation and belay right above the crack. We are on the summit well before noon. Plenty of time to climb Eichorn's Pinnacle!

After a bit of struggling with the 5.9 overhanging offwidth on the east side of Eichorn's, I got on the correct side of the pinnacle and climbed the 5.4 route I had intended. Oops. I brought Beth up while Mike stayed near the top of Cathedral to take pictures. Then I rappelled and walked back to the top of Cathedral so I could take pictures while Beth belayed Mike to the top. Very dramatic location! We took over 130 photos.

7/13
Lazy morning. We pack camp and head to the Western Front of Daff Dome. Beth sets up her hammock while Mike and I toprope Green Eggs and Ham (5.9), March of Dimes (5.10a), New Tricks For Old Dogs (5.10b), and Touch of Grey (5.9). All pure slab climbs which felt about the same in difficulty. Not a bad day, but the climbing was monotonous.

Leaving Yosemite, we head to the Mobil station in Lee Vining for dinner. After that we start driving back east. We spent the night at a great, legal free camping spot... in Winnemucca, NV take exit 176 to Hansen Road and follow that to Water Canyon Road. Drive south to BLM land.

7/14
Drive to Vedauwoo.

7/15
We head to Reynolds Hill. I start the day by leading Climb and Punishment (5.9+) which is a really good introduction to Vedauwoo climbing. We toprope Penis Dimension (5.10c) right next to Climb and Punishment. Both really good. We have poor weather all day with lots of wind and intermittent thunderstorms. As the weather worsens, we bail on plans to climb Pooh Corner and Maiden. Vedauwoo is another place I could come back to for a month or two of climbing. Maybe finally get good at offwidths!

7/16
We drive to the Crestone Needle trailhead. Huge thunderstorms barrel out of the mountains and over the valley.

7/17
Forecast is not good. We bail on plans to climb Ellingwood Ledges. Drive north to Boulder. Spend some time at the Pearl Street Mall and Chautauqua Park. We meet up with Tom and Beth at the Boulder Rock Club and climb indoors for a bit. Pulling on plastic! Wooo? After helping Tom and Beth with their community garden plot (and earning some chard and zucchini) I head over to Emily and Brian's new apartment for my first night sleeping indoors in over a month.

7/18
Hike with Tom around the mesa west of town. Then off to the library for a bit. We have dinner and frozen yogurt with Amy and Charles. Mike, how many pounds of frozen yogurt did you eat exactly? Your lifetime high point of eating?

7/19
Up at 5am to climb Rewritten in Eldorado Canyon. Tom joins us and we climb in two parties of two. Tom and I climb together with him leading p2 and me taking the other four pitches. The intent of our early start is to do the climb while it is in the shade and before temperatures hit triple digits. We are fairly successful, only getting a bit of sun on the final pitch.

We finish early enough to head to the Indian Buffet for lunch. Too much food! I gorge myself and then eat several extra bowls of mango custard. I wish I could say this was my lifetime high point of eating, but I've gorged myself like this far too many times to keep track. I swear I won't eat again until Saturday!

We head to the library to relax. The main Boulder library is having a free reception for an art festival that is going on throughout the city. Free stuffed mushrooms and minicupcakes and cold drinks and.... Ok, now I'm really really stuffed. I swear I won't eat again until Sunday! Or even Monday!

7/20
We head to Estes Park where Mike and Beth ride horses. I read my book and relax in my old free campsite outside of Meeker Park. Still lovely. Then we tour Estes Park. I spend hours taking photographs of the hummingbirds. Hard to do, even at my camera's fastest shutter speed.

7/21
Spend the morning at the Boulder farmer's market. It is larger than Ithaca's market and more oriented toward food instead of being 50% arts and crafts.

After that we head to Tom's house for an afternoon gathering of a bunch of his friends. Swimming in the heavily chlorinated pool gets me finally feeling 100% clean for the first time this whole trip.

As the party ends, so does our trip. We start driving back to Ithaca.

7/22
Driving all day. We meet Guy in Pennsylvania. He is headed back to Columbus after spending the weekend in Ithaca for Grassroots.

7/23
Around 4am we reach home!

Stats for the trip:

  • Cost per person for gas, food and camping: $485.00
  • Books read: 9
    Between audio books while driving and paperbacks in the tent, I complete/start/re-read a bunch of books this trip. Michener's Caribbean; Game of Thrones; Wolff's This Boy's Life; Capote's In Cold Blood; Maguire's What The Dickens; and Harry Potter 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • Miles driven: approximately 6700
  • Pitches climbed: 80
  • Pounds of M&Ms consumed: 10
  • Species of animals seen: 1

Getting ready to tetris the car for the first time. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Getting ready to tetris the car for the first time. (Beth's Photo)    Ithaca, NY -- 6/16/2012

Beth climbing at Kaymoor. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth climbing at Kaymoor.    New River Gorge -- 6/17/2012

Ross climbing at Kaymoor. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Ross climbing at Kaymoor.    New River Gorge -- 6/17/2012

Katie climbing at Kaymoor. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Katie climbing at Kaymoor.    New River Gorge -- 6/17/2012

Katie climbing at Kaymoor. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Katie climbing at Kaymoor.    New River Gorge -- 6/17/2012

Katie climbing at Kaymoor. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Katie climbing at Kaymoor.    New River Gorge -- 6/17/2012

Guy climbing at Kaymoor. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Guy climbing at Kaymoor.    New River Gorge -- 6/17/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Butterfly (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Butterfly    New River Gorge -- 6/18/2012

Cooking dinner in a very windy gas station parking lot. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Cooking dinner in a very windy gas station parking lot.    Middle of Nowhere -- 6/19/2012

Loaded packs at the Big Sandy trailhead. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Loaded packs at the Big Sandy trailhead. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/21/2012

Ready to hike into the Winds. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Ready to hike into the Winds.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Shoe twins! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Shoe twins!    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Mike at a stream crossing. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike at a stream crossing.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Beaver at Big Sandy Lake. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Beaver at Big Sandy Lake.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike hiking into the Winds.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Haystack (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Haystack    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

My campsite beneath Sundance Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My campsite beneath Sundance Pinnacle.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

My campsite beneath Sundance Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My campsite beneath Sundance Pinnacle.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

My campsite beneath Sundance Pinnacle as seen from the east face of Sundance. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My campsite beneath Sundance Pinnacle as seen from the east face of Sundance.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Haystack, Steeple Peak, East Temple Peak, Temple Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Haystack, Steeple Peak, East Temple Peak, Temple Peak. Our tents are tiny dots in the lower right side of the picture.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/21/2012

Sunrise on my tent with Sundance Pinnacle in the background. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Sunrise on my tent with Sundance Pinnacle in the background.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Pika (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Pika    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Pika (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Pika    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Racking up at the start of Sundance Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Racking up at the start of Sundance Pinnacle. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/22/2012

Beth belaying the start of the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth belaying the start of the East Face.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Mike leading the second pitch of the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the second pitch of the East Face.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Belaying the final pitch of Sundance Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Belaying the final pitch of Sundance Pinnacle. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/22/2012

The three of us on the summit of Sundance Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The three of us on the summit of Sundance Pinnacle.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Beth and Mike on the summit of Sundance Pinnacle. Warbonnet towering in the background. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike on the summit of Sundance Pinnacle. Warbonnet towering in the background.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Sundance Pinnacle (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Sundance Pinnacle    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/22/2012

Crossing a snowfield in the cirque. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Crossing a snowfield in the cirque. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/22/2012

Mike building a bridge across the creek. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike building a bridge across the creek.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Mike building a bridge across the creek. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike building a bridge across the creek.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Mike building a bridge across the creek. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike building a bridge across the creek.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Mike building a bridge across the creek. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike building a bridge across the creek.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Mike building a bridge across the creek. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike building a bridge across the creek.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Success! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Success!    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Carabiners make great clothespins. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carabiners make great clothespins.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Pingora (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Pingora    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Pingora (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Pingora    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Oh noes!  Late in the day, snowmelt has cause the creek to rise and submerged our bridge! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Oh noes! Late in the day, snowmelt has cause the creek to rise and submerged our bridge!    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/23/2012

Sunrise in the Cirque of the Towers, my favorite climbing location in the entire world. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Sunrise in the Cirque of the Towers, my favorite climbing location in the entire world. Peaks visible are Warrior I, Warrior II, Pylon, South Watchtower, Watchtower, Overhanging Tower, Wolf's Head, and Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Animal tracks. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Animal tracks.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Beth and Mike approaching Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike approaching Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Warbonnet (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Warbonnet    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Warbonnet, Warrior I, Warrior II (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Warbonnet, Warrior I, Warrior II    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Beth and Mike at the base of the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike at the base of the South Buttress of Pingora. The K-Cracks pitch is clearly visible in the top center of the picture.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Climbing the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Climbing the South Buttress of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

I'm leading the awesome K-Cracks pitch on Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

I'm leading the awesome K-Cracks pitch on Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

I'm leading the awesome K-Cracks pitch on Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

I'm leading the awesome K-Cracks pitch on Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

I'm leading the awesome K-Cracks pitch on Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

I'm leading the awesome K-Cracks pitch on Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

Climbing the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Climbing the South Buttress of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Climbing the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Climbing the South Buttress of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Mike nearing the top of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike nearing the top of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Mike nearing the top of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike nearing the top of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Mike nearing the top of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike nearing the top of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Beth nearing the top of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth nearing the top of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Beth nearing the top of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth nearing the top of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Beth nearing the top of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth nearing the top of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Me at the top of the last pitch on the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me at the top of the last pitch on the South Buttress of Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

Me at the top of the last pitch on the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me at the top of the last pitch on the South Buttress of Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

Me at the top of the last pitch on the South Buttress of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me at the top of the last pitch on the South Buttress of Pingora. I didn't go down just to pose for photos, I actually had to go back to clean a stuck nut. The photos were just a bonus. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

Me on the summit of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me on the summit of Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/24/2012

Mike on the summit of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on the summit of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Mike and Beth on the summit of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth on the summit of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Rainbow (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Rainbow    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Rainbow (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Rainbow    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Marmot waiting by a food hanging site. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Marmot waiting by a food hanging site.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Some of the worst mosquitoes of the whole summer were in the cirque, but overall the bugs weren't as bas as previous summers. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Mosquitoes, Actually

Some of the worst mosquitoes of the whole summer were in the cirque, but overall the bugs weren't as bas as previous summers.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/24/2012

Mike playing the climber game. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike playing the climber game.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/25/2012

Beth playing the climber game. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth playing the climber game.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/25/2012

Mike playing the climber game. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike playing the climber game.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/25/2012

Mike getting creative. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike getting creative.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/25/2012

Creativity often results in failure. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Creativity often results in failure. That's ok, that's how we learn.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/25/2012

Playing cards. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Playing cards.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/25/2012

Early morning in the cirque. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Early morning in the cirque.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Early morning in the cirque. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Early morning in the cirque.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike above Lonesome Lake, finishing the approach to Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike above Lonesome Lake, finishing the approach to Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike above Lonesome Lake, finishing the approach to Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike above Lonesome Lake, finishing the approach to Pingora. The sun is just hitting Mitchell Peak in the background.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

My food supply for the NE Face of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My food supply for the NE Face of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike leading p2. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading p2.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike coming up the NE Face of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike coming up the NE Face of Pingora. This is only around p3 but we are already high above Lonesome Lake.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike on Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike leading p4 of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading p4 of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Mike and I climbing the Northeast Face of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and I climbing the Northeast Face of Pingora. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/26/2012

We are about one pixel tall in this photo. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

We are about one pixel tall in this photo. And we are still quite low on the route. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/26/2012

A bit of zoom helps. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

A bit of zoom helps. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/26/2012

There we are. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

There we are. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/26/2012

Due to the perspective, it looks like we are half way up Pingora.  Really this is one of the first few pitches. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Due to the perspective, it looks like we are half way up Pingora. Really this is one of the first few pitches. (Beth's Photo)    Wind River Range, WY -- 6/26/2012

View from up high on Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

View from up high on Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Summit Snickers! Well deserved after climbing the Northeast Face of Pingora. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Summit Snickers! Well deserved after climbing the Northeast Face of Pingora.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Walking back to camp. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Walking back to camp.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Walking back to camp. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Walking back to camp.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/26/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Butterfly (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Butterfly    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Beth and Mike above North Lake, hiking out of the cirque. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike above North Lake, hiking out of the cirque.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Cooking dinner at Deep Lake. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Cooking dinner at Deep Lake.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Almost out of M&Ms! Sad Face! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Almost out of M&Ms! Sad Face!    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Mike (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. Mike's favorite peninsula is highlighted in the golden water.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. Mike's favorite peninsula is highlighted in the golden water.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Smoke from a distant forest fire gave us a stunning sunset.    Wind River Range, Wyoming -- 6/27/2012

Beth and the shoe twins ready to start hiking to Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and the shoe twins ready to start hiking to Charlotte Dome.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 6/30/2012

The hike started with five miles of up... (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The hike started with five miles of up...    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 6/30/2012

...culminating in this moonscape... (Category:  Rock Climbing)

...culminating in this moonscape...    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 6/30/2012

...which leads down to this gorgeous valley! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

...which leads down to this gorgeous valley!    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 6/30/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Mule Deer (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Mule Deer    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 6/30/2012

Hiking to Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Hiking to Charlotte Dome.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 6/30/2012

Charlotte Dome (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Charlotte Dome    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/1/2012

Dawn (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Dawn    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Two headlamps at dawn, with Charlotte Dome in the background. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Two headlamps at dawn, with Charlotte Dome in the background.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Sun just hitting the peaks across the valley as low clouds hang out in the shadows below. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Sun just hitting the peaks across the valley as low clouds hang out in the shadows below.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike ready to start up Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike ready to start up Charlotte Dome.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

The start of Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The start of Charlotte Dome.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike leading the first pitch of Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the first pitch of Charlotte Dome.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Me leading the Slot pitch on Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me leading the Slot pitch on Charlotte Dome. (Beth's Photo)    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Me leading the Slot pitch on Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me leading the Slot pitch on Charlotte Dome. (Beth's Photo)    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike and Beth about midway up the climb. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth about midway up the climb.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike and Beth about midway up the climb. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth about midway up the climb.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike and Beth about midway up the climb. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth about midway up the climb.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike reading his hometown newspaper at the top of pitch 11. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike reading his hometown newspaper at the top of pitch 11.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Near the top of Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Near the top of Charlotte Dome.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

The summit ridge. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The summit ridge.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

The summit ridge. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The summit ridge.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike and I atop Charlotte Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and I atop Charlotte Dome. (Beth's Photo)    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Summit photo! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Summit photo!    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Summit Snickers atop Charlotte Dome!!! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Summit Snickers atop Charlotte Dome!!!    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/2/2012

Mike hiking out with Charlotte Dome in the background. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike hiking out with Charlotte Dome in the background.    Sierra Nevada Mountains, California -- 7/3/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Iron Man Traverse (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Iron Man Traverse    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Buttermilk Road (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Buttermilk Road    Bishop, California -- 7/4/2012

Me leading Pole Position. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me leading Pole Position. (Beth's Photo)    Yosemite -- 7/6/2012

Me leading the first pitch of Nutcracker. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me leading the first pitch of Nutcracker. (Beth's Photo)    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Looking down pitch three of Nutcracker. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Looking down pitch three of Nutcracker.    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Setting up for the crux mantle move on Nutcracker. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Setting up for the crux mantle move on Nutcracker. Check out that left hand thumb catch... good beta. (Beth's Photo)    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Now just pull up and mantle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Now just pull up and mantle. (Beth's Photo)    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Harvard Press photos. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Harvard Press photos.    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Harvard Press photos. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Harvard Press photos.    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Red alien?  Yup, this is the result of the guided party behind us attempting to clean a fixed piece. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Red alien? Yup, this is the result of the guided party behind us attempting to clean a fixed piece.    Yosemite -- 7/7/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Lizard (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Lizard    Yosemite -- 7/8/2012

Mike leading The Grack. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading The Grack. (Beth's Photo)    Yosemite -- 7/8/2012

Mike bouldering. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike bouldering.    Yosemite -- 7/9/2012

Mike on Midnight Lightning. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Midnight Lightning.    Yosemite -- 7/9/2012

Me on Midnight Lightning. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me on Midnight Lightning.    Yosemite -- 7/9/2012

Mike on... Midnight Lightning? (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on... Midnight Lightning?    Yosemite -- 7/9/2012

Mike sending... Midnight Lightning... really?  Wow! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike sending... Midnight Lightning... really? Wow!    Yosemite -- 7/9/2012

Boil-Fest! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Boil-Fest 2012!!! Wooo!!!

Boil-Fest!    Yosemite -- 7/9/2012

Pothole Dome (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Pothole Dome    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Pothole Dome (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Pothole Dome    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

COE staff! Adventuring around the world! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

COE staff! Adventuring around the world!    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Mike on Potluck. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Potluck.    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Me on Potluck. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me on Potluck.    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Me on Potluck.  Left leg crammed completely in the crack. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Me on Potluck. Left leg crammed completely in the crack.    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Mike one move from the finishing jug. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike one move from the finishing jug.    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Beth at the start of Potluck. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth at the start of Potluck.    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Ground Squirrel (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Ground Squirrel    Yosemite -- 7/10/2012

...with climbing shoes to suggest an atmosphere of climbing. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Climbing Helmet and Rope Hook

...with climbing shoes to suggest an atmosphere of climbing.    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

Stately Pleasure Dome (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Stately Pleasure Dome    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

Beth and Mike walking to the base of Stately Pleasure Dome above the still waters of Tenaya Lake. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike walking to the base of Stately Pleasure Dome above the still waters of Tenaya Lake.    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

Beth and Mike walking to the base of Stately Pleasure Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike walking to the base of Stately Pleasure Dome.    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

Beth and Mike walking to the base of Stately Pleasure Dome. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth and Mike walking to the base of Stately Pleasure Dome.    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

I'm leading the 10b variation of Boltline. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

I'm leading the 10b variation of Boltline.    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

I'm leading the 10b variation of Boltline. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

I'm leading the 10b variation of Boltline.    Yosemite -- 7/11/2012

Looking down the chimney pitch on Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Looking down the chimney pitch on Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth coming up the 5.9 finger crack. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth coming up the 5.9 finger crack.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike coming up the 5.9 finger crack. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike coming up the 5.9 finger crack.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike on Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Party on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle, seen from Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Party on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle, seen from Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Party on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle, seen from Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Party on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle, seen from Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

On the summit of Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

On the summit of Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

On the summit of Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

On the summit of Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

On the summit of Cathedral Peak. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

On the summit of Cathedral Peak.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

At the base of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

At the base of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Attempting to climb the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Attempting to climb the East Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Attempting to climb the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Attempting to climb the East Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Attempting to climb the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Attempting to climb the East Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Attempting to climb the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Attempting to climb the East Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Attempting to climb the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Attempting to climb the East Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Attempting to climb the East Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Attempting to climb the East Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Overhanging offwidth? (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Overhanging offwidth?    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

This doesn't feel like 5.4! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

This doesn't feel like 5.4!    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Checking the topo... (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Checking the topo...    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

...and climbing the North Face. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Oh, There It Is

...and climbing the North Face.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

That's more like it. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

That's more like it.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Reaching the top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Reaching the top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Reaching the top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Reaching the top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth climbing Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth climbing Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth climbing Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth climbing Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth reaches the summit of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth reaches the summit of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth reaches the summit of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth reaches the summit of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth reaches the summit of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth reaches the summit of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Posing atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Tossing the rope. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Tossing the rope.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike arrives atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike arrives atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Marmot (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Marmot    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike with the Harvard Press. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike with the Harvard Press.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike with the Harvard Press. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike with the Harvard Press.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike with the Harvard Press. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike with the Harvard Press.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike and Beth atop Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth rappelling. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth rappelling.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Beth rappelling. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth rappelling.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike tossing the rope. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike tossing the rope.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike tossing the rope. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike tossing the rope.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Mike rappelling. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike rappelling.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

The party behind us on top of Eichorn's Pinnacle.    Yosemite -- 7/12/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Bee (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Bee    Winnemucca, NV -- 7/14/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Bee. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Bee. I realize it seems to be eating my oatmeal, but it is carnivorous. Trust me.    Winnemucca, NV -- 7/14/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Bee (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Bee    Winnemucca, NV -- 7/14/2012

My tent in Vedauwoo. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My tent in Vedauwoo.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Fucking squirrels! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Fucking squirrels!    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Is that an AP Calculus book in the back of the car?  Hmmm.... (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Is that an AP Calculus book in the back of the car? Hmmm....    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

"I can't find the AP Calculus book!"    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Yeah, it is in the back seat, on the hat rack. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Yeah, it is in the back seat, on the hat rack.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Reynolds Hill (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Reynolds Hill    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Leading Climb and Punishment (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading Climb and Punishment    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Leading Climb and Punishment (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading Climb and Punishment    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Leading Climb and Punishment (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading Climb and Punishment    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Leading Climb and Punishment (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading Climb and Punishment    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Leading Climb and Punishment (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading Climb and Punishment    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

My tape after leading one pitch vs. Mike's new tape. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

My tape after leading one pitch vs. Mike's new tape.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Beth on Climb and Punishment. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth on Climb and Punishment.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Mike on Climb and Punishment. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Climb and Punishment.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Mike on Climb and Punishment. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Climb and Punishment.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Mike at the start of the offwidth on Penis Dimension. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike at the start of the offwidth on Penis Dimension.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

Mike on Penis Dimension. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike on Penis Dimension.    Vedauwoo, WY -- 7/15/2012

It is a farmhouse... and a rainbow. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Farmhouse at the end of the Rainbow

It is a farmhouse... and a rainbow.    Westcliffe, CO -- 7/16/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Big Horn Sheep (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Big Horn Sheep    Westcliffe, CO -- 7/17/2012

Sunrise in Eldo. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Sunrise in Eldo.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

I placed hexes on every pitch! (Category:  Rock Climbing)

I placed hexes on every pitch!    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Tom coming up pitch 3 of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Tom coming up pitch 3 of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Leading the traverse at the start of pitch 4. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading the traverse at the start of pitch 4.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Leading the traverse at the start of pitch 4. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Leading the traverse at the start of pitch 4.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Starting on the stellar finger crack. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Starting on the stellar finger crack.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Tom at the top of Rewritten's very exposed final arete. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Tom at the top of Rewritten's very exposed final arete.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Tom at the top of Rewritten's very exposed final arete. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Tom at the top of Rewritten's very exposed final arete.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Tom at the top of Rewritten's very exposed final arete. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Tom at the top of Rewritten's very exposed final arete.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Old school... (Category:  Rock Climbing)

More Cowbell!

Old school...    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Mike leading the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Tom being a goof. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Tom being a goof.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Beth following the last pitch of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Summit of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Summit of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Summit of Rewritten. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Summit of Rewritten.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

No, I don't plan to get a set of hexes, but it is fun to climb with them once every few years. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

No, I don't plan to get a set of hexes, but it is fun to climb with them once every few years.    Eldorado Canyon, CO -- 7/19/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Pheasant (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Pheasant    Meeker Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Carnivorous Mountain Hummingbird    Estes Park, CO -- 7/20/2012

Emily's Carnivorous Mountain Chickens (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Emily's Carnivorous Mountain Chickens    Boulder, CO -- 7/21/2012

Emily's Carnivorous Mountain Chickens (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Emily's Carnivorous Mountain Chickens    Boulder, CO -- 7/21/2012

During one of our food shopping trips, the store was out of the party size bags of peanut M&Ms. (Category:  Rock Climbing)

Empties

During one of our food shopping trips, the store was out of the party size bags of peanut M&Ms.    Ithaca, NY -- 7/23/2012