Rainy Day Still Dreaming
July 23rd, 2010Wednesday was a real soaker in the Black Canyon. Ben Dressel & I experienced torrential rain while climbing the usually tame Maiden Voyage. Water was pouring down the rock faces and the canyon was enveloped in mist. It surreal and frighteningly beautiful. Friction diminished forcing us to climb very cautiously and cling tenaciously. It made 5.9 feel “for real” again. In a strange way, it was also fun. There was no one else around and the canyon felt quite remote.
The weather improved enough on Thursday for us to get on a longer and more difficult route, Casually Off. We were able to top out via two wonderful new pitches that avoid the standard bushwhack finish: an airy arête and a Pegmatite band that finish on top of the Debutante’s Ball Buttress. This makes that climb 10 nice pitches long, 6 of which are 5.8 or 5.9, all are good quality.
It was a good finish to our 3 days climbing in there.
Ben leading Casually Off Route:
i had an ulcer last year because i am fond of skipping meals and working too hard. it was quite painful:-*