Quest for Mud (Special Edition)

[F4?]

The route has not cleaned up much.....in dry
In dryer conditions it will be even better.

Funny, I was pumped way more on Snub Jub, which is 10a......

[Brad Young]

It’s steeper. I got that onsight the same day. Both are nice routes.

[JC w KC redux]

Too wet to get much of anything done on Thursday but we did have a nice hike and checked some stuff out.
We talked to a lot of visitors and I free soloed Kermit just to get some movement in since it was full sun there. Windy and cool.

Friday we did a day of service and replaced the summit anchor on Tuff Dome.

I also looked at and took pictures of all the bolts on Aliens Ate My Buick and Adagio.

Mostly split shafts and a bunch of SMC death hangers - definitely needs some love.

Got some remote, obscure climbing in yesterday.



Old Tuff Dome summit anchor (under-drilled split shafts with floppy SMC stainless hangers and rusty smashlinks)





Replacement anchor from above





Getting in a new summit mini alpine style





Getting in a little gear protected climbing - a little stemming before stuffing myself into the chimney





This was my favorite bolt on Tuff Dome. The hanger is okay (stainless SMC) but geez 

[JC w KC redux]

It’s steeper. I got that onsight the same day. Both are nice routes.

Wait a minute - aren't you out pounding on crud?

[Brad Young]

Wait a minute - aren't you out pounding on crud?

Just finished. Great reception up here.

First FA of the new year??

[Brad Young]

And damn John the public service stuff? VERY nice.

[JC w KC redux]

Just finished. Great reception up here.

Nice. I figured maybe you were texting in between taps from a cushy stance.

First FA of the new year??

I coulda been a contender!

[JC w KC redux]

And damn John the public service stuff? VERY nice.

Thanks.

Views from the summit and climbing one of my favorite routes to get up there were both a nice way to start the New Year 

[Brad Young]

Two Santa Cruz climbers, Aaron and Brad just used that new anchor. They say “thanks!”

[Brad Young]

Just got two perfectly equalized chains on Mean Max. I’m pooped and am heading out. So far I’ve climbed every single day this year!

[F4?]

I hear you Brad, I am pooped to...Stromland is tiring

Finally relaxing in the hot tub.

[JC w KC redux]

Just got two perfectly equalized chains on Mean Max. I’m pooped and am heading out. So far I’ve climbed every single day this year!

I updated/edited my previous post about Mean Max.
Heavy metal to start the New Year.
Nice.

[Chris Henry]

Pictured: Brad and BAP installing the perfectly equalized rap chains on top of Mean Max viewed from the belay anchor above Little Javelina:

[Brad Young]

Well, hi again Chris. Nice to see you on "the" site.

I'm curious if you did try the route or if you're just taking my word for it that they're equalized?

And BTW, I will, of course, expect to see you next time I am down there (seems like I have seen you literally every time I've been to Pinns this season).

[Chris Henry]

Hi Brad - we didn't do the route yesterday - so I'm taking your word for it (we were also tired at the end of our climbing day).

But, a mellow route to the top of a new-to-me pinnacle seems right up my alley. So, Mean Max is on my to-do list.

The pinnacles forecast has been good for climbing so I've been there a lot of late and hope to get back soon. I've likewise come to expect to see you during every Pinnacles trip. It's about as regular as seeing the Condors circling in the afternoons.

[Brad Young]

Hi Brad - we didn't do the route yesterday - so I'm taking your word for it (we were also tired at the end of our climbing day).

But, a mellow route to the top of a new-to-me pinnacle seems right up my alley. So, Mean Max is on my to-do list.

The pinnacles forecast has been good for climbing so I've been there a lot of late and hope to get back soon. I've likewise come to expect to see you during every Pinnacles trip. It's about as regular as seeing the Condors circling in the afternoons.

Did he just call me a large vulture?

[Chris Henry]

Only that you are both fixtures of Pinnacles.

Handsome creatures though ...

[JC w KC redux]

^^^
Nice closeup of Little Stinker.

Where did she fly in to visit you?

We are wondering if she and Mr. Mischief (#92's unofficial name) will mate and fledge a youngster this year.

[Chris Henry]

A group of three buzzed me at the summit anchor on Spikes Peak, western summit. "Little Stinker" landed surprisingly close as I was belaying up my partner. (This was the day before I saw Brad and BAP from the same spot).

The other two birds (I couldn't read their tags) hung out on the unnamed (?) pinnacle west of Dragonfly Dome and "Little Sticker" went to join them after a stay of several minutes.

[F4?]

Yes, the birds are always checking us out, in hope one of us is Mr Mud.

They can hope.