Photos:
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=219726720/a=38054161/t_=38054161
Wednesday 5/21:
I helped out leading the weekly climbing group to head up Boulder Canyon and climb at Avalon. We met up with Eliza right near the Tyrolean. She wanted to head up to the second tier for some challenging climbs. I told Mark that I would set a rope on the Wall of the Dead (an easier section.) We were a little early though, so we had time to get a climb or two in; so we headed over to the second tier.
While Eliza was setting the first climb, a 5.10a, some others showed up. Judy and Julie asked what a good climb was, in the 5.10 range was. I said I thought that most of the climbs on this section were 5.10 or 5.11, and said that we had several books and I had the Mountain Project printout that they could look at. They seemed content with that answer, and jumped on a climb without looking at the beta.
After Eliza finished climbing, I took a run up the route and cleaned it. Either it was rated softly, or my climbing is improving, as I felt pretty secure on the route. More folks showed up, and Eliza led a 5.10c route. Julie was having a tough time on their route, and Eliza said that it was one of the 5.11 routes. I felt a little bad that they were having a hard time on it. Wished they would have checked out the beta. Oh well, they were still working it out.
I was able to climb the 5.10c route after Eliza, and it was really fun. Again, maybe a little soft, as it was pretty much at my limit of no falls climbing. Hopefully it's just that I'm getting better (but I'm betting it was just rated softly.)
When the gals were done, I gave the 5.11 a shot, and it kicked my butt. I definitely had to come off and rest a couple of times. Really hard moves. When I got down, I found out that it was a 5.11d. Geez, that's WAY above my current ability; but it was fun to struggle up. I eventually made it up to the top, and cleaned the anchor.
We went over and joined the rest of the climbers that went over to the Wall of the Dead, and I was able to get one more 5.10c climb in. Fun stuff. A great evening climbing!
Hope you enjoy the pics,
A.J.
Photos: http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=219726720/a=38054161/t_=38054161
Group Room (multiple albums): http://ajoutdoors.snapfish.com/snapfish