Quest for Mud (Special Edition)

[JC w KC redux]

Looks familiar. I think I soloed that back when i was doing guidebook research.   

Yep. I figured that or it was on your legal pad. 

[Brad Young]

Yep. I figured that or it was on your legal pad. 

Actually neither. But I get pissy when I'm deprived of "my" second ascent 

[NOAL]

How did you guys approach ridge rock? I was just on the other side for part of the day yesterday and did not see you walk in from the outhouse.  I did take a nap for a bit. Too funny.

[mynameismud]

How did you guys approach ridge rock? I was just on the other side for part of the day

Do tell

[JC w KC redux]

How did you guys approach ridge rock? I was just on the other side for part of the day yesterday and did not see you walk in from the outhouse.  I did take a nap for a bit. Too funny.

We went in past Beak around 10ish. Kat was asking about you on the hike from the Outhouse.
I too wondered what you might be up to and was talking about the 100 foot slab you said you found for us a while back.
We hiked out around 4:00.

[JC w KC redux]

Actually neither. But I get pissy when I'm deprived of "my" second ascent 

You wouldn't mind if you saw how happy Kat was to get a new lead and a 2nd ascent 

[JC w KC redux]

Been gettin' after this thing since late yesterday afternoon - hoping to finish it tomorrow with Brad and clink.
Kat got this money shot today of me getting up to set up drilling the 4th bolt. Pretty fun climb so far.

[Brad Young]

Hanging on a sling on the mongo-big lodestone, drilling bolt four:

[mungeclimber]

Looks good

[Brad Young]

They are well along on the new trail from the West Side Visitors Center to lower West Side parking (I didn't even know they'd started building it!!):

[Brad Young]

Drilling the first bolt:

[JC w KC redux]

We worked again today with clink but still didn't quite get finished - we are close!
Brad should have some good shots of clink since I spent most of my time today belaying.

Brad drilling bolt 5









Me drilling bolt 7





clink got in bolts 8 and 9. It sounds like the anchor may be next...just a bit higher.

[clink]

 These nuts roped me in despite my knowing full well that these are the same two guys who climbed on Flies on a Pile. The roulette aspect of the route diminished each time the designated masochist went up for a  new bolt. Out of my comfort zone but a rewarding experience nevertheless.

 Brad was needing stuff, he trailed a rope to enable the procurement of various items. While sending up a socket, sling, or biners, JC moved upwards causing Brad to suddenly drop a couple of feet, causing spontaneous excitement.   

 We were uncertain of the end of route but the rock outside the chute at the top was relatively solid with big holds allowing a cool exit onto the headwall at the top. 12 feet to go?

 Thanks guys for the invite.

 

[Brad Young]

...allowing a cool exit onto the headwall at the top.

Not just cool, really cool:




Meanwhile, 100 feet up and right, these guys were waiting for a mistake:

Thanks guys for the invite.

Any time.

[JC w KC redux]

Brad was needing stuff, he trailed a rope to enable the procurement of various items. While sending up a socket, sling, or biners, JC moved upwards causing Brad to suddenly drop a couple of feet, causing spontaneous excitement.  

Brad was kind enough to demonstrate a proper attentive belay later while I was drilling.(photo by clink)  

[JC w KC redux]

P.S. In my defense - Brad already had the bolt in, partially tightened and clipped.

I had an unwelcome thrill when the main knob I was hanging on to drill started disintegrating right in front of my eyes. It started spontaneously fracturing like thin ice in a cartoon and the bottom half fell away. In horror and a bit panicked, I started searching for something else to sling above me and all the available choices were loose. Luckily there was still one good knob just above the one that failed, so I went all in on that one and managed to finish the bolt.   

We all had a thrill later when clink was up high drilling from a taxing stemming stance with the wind howling and a condor flew right over his head!
No pic of that but how bout one of clink in that stance?

[Brad Young]

Brad was kind enough to demonstrate a proper attentive belay later while I was drilling.(photo by clink)  

Damn, busted. But, after all, I was just learning on the job....

[Brad Young]

...no pic of that but how bout one of clink in that stance?

I've got a few of him drilling in that stance. They'll have to wait until I get home though.

[Brad Young]

P.S. In my defense - Brad already had the bolt in, partially tightened and clipped.

Yeah,  J.C. stood up while I was on tension through his Gri Gri. Simulated fall  

I had an unwelcome thrill when the main knob I was hanging on to drill started disintegrating right in front of my eyes. It started spontaneously fracturing like thin ice in a cartoon and the bottom half fell away. In horror and a bit panicked, I started searching for something else to sling above me and all the available choices were loose. Luckily there was still one good knob just above the one that failed, so I went all in on that one and managed to finish the bolt.

Normal people would downclimb to regroup if/when a slung knob starts to disintegrate while in use.

Not our bull-near-a-red-flag J.C. He started by throwing the chunks of disintegrated knob off in disgust. Then he charged HIGHER to rest. I tried to stay calm as I insisted that he downclimb for at least a short time to regroup (and, surprise, surprise, he actually listened to me!).

All part of the excitement.

[JC w KC redux]

Yeah,  J.C. stood up while I was on tension through his Gri Gri. Simulated fall  

I tried to stay calm as I insisted that he downclimb for at least a short time to regroup (and, surprise, surprise, he actually listened to me!).

All part of the excitement.

Yes...you stayed calm in both instances. Not me. I get tourette's when I am on lead.