Things you have to know to pass the belay test:
- How to tie into the rope
- Climber / belayer safety checks
- Climber / belayer communications
- How to manage the belay and belay device (Grigri) Continue reading Post ID 587
- Category Archives Rock Climbing
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Planet Granite – Lead Climb Certification
So yesterday we dragged a rope and belay devices along to the climbing gym with the thought of getting lead certified.
The single biggest difference between toprope climbs and lead climbing in the gym is having to stop and clip all the quickdraws. The other difference is that all the lead climbs are overhung to one degree or another, as the gym doesn’t want people peeling off and hitting hand and footholds all the way down – ouch!
Plan A – warm up, climb hard bouldering routes until too tired to continue, then “rest” for a while by taking the lead test. Continue reading Post ID 587
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Climbing Outing at Red Rock Canyon NCA
Our friend Bob M. invited us to a climbing outing at RRCNCA where we’d meet up with a few of his climbing buddies and get in some late winter outdoor climbing.
We camped at the RRCNCA BLM campground just outside the park. Pretty basic, flat spots, vault toilets, water, $10/night ($5 / night if you have that “mature citizen” card). Downside – the roads are paved with crushed white rock so every vehicle going by makes a lot of noise. Add spring break and the proximity to Vegas, and it gets pretty noisy.
We met Bob’s friends Steve, Kay, Lila, Brad, John and Tim. Continue reading Post ID 587
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TR – Day trip to Pinnacles NM for some rock climbing
Friday – Mat and I had been plotting some kind of outdoor climbing activity around Thanksgiving for a couple weeks. It had been kind of rainy, but a quick call to the rangers at Pinnacles told us the weather was good and it had been sunny today and would be sunny Saturday. We’re a go, except for I woke up this morning with a major back spasm; no way could I climb today but after a couple massages and a heavy application of Deep Heating Rub (thanks, Carol!) I could tell Mat I’m 75% sure I’ll be a go tomorrow. We’ll touch bases at 7:30 a.m. Continue reading Post ID 587
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Un-Freaking-Believable
2007 World Championships in Aviles, Spain.
According to Climbing.com, Maja Vidmar was third place in Women’s Lead in 2007. Enjoy!
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Sierra East Side / Death Valley
Carol and I headed for the Lone Pine / Bishop area for some bouldering, rock climbing, sightseeing, hiking…
First, though, a little bit about safety. On the last route I climbed (Alabama Hills, The Shark’s Fin, The Shark’s Fin Arete), when I topped out (awesome, btw, you peek over the top and there is the Sierra crest and Mt Whitney) and started to clip into the rappel anchors, I decided to test them first and found that both bolts moved in the rock with finger pressure. Not good. Continue reading Post ID 587
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Yosemite Valley and Cathedral Peak
“Remember when sex was safe and climbing was dangerous ?” — Chuck Pratt.
Monday, Oct 20th – email from nephew Mat pops up:
“Do you guys have plans for thursday/friday possibly the weekend? seems like i might have some unpaid days off work. leaning twards some last min outdoor activity.”
Well, no, we’re free. Long story short, we negotiate a trip to Yosemite for “some rock climbing” – little knowing it would turn into the biggest rock climbing outing of our lives.
Wednesday – truck packed, guidebooks and gear, Mat shows up late in the evening ready to go. Throw his gear in the truck and take off. Twenty miles down the road, stop to get him some food, and I discover I’ve left my wallet at home in all the excitement. Decide to forge on without driver’s license and park pass. Camped overnight, late, on forest service road just outside the west gate of YNP.
Thursday – slept in a little, drive into Yosemite Valley, get a campsite with the tourists for the night. Head for Glacier Point Apron and spend some time practicing friction on slabs on The Goblet. Continue reading Post ID 587
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Lover’s Leap – “How does the rope get up there?”
Last Tuesday, campah loaded with food, beer and climbing gear, Carol and I departed for Lover’s Leap, which, according to our guide book, was a great place for trad climbing newbies (that would be us) to practice their craft:
“There are few places as conducive to learning trad climbing as Lover’s Leap. Most climbs are well-protected and offer rests to place gear.”
Sounds like a plan. Continue reading Post ID 587
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Thunderbolt Peak
I had been planning to do this trip to bag my 9th Fourteener with mi amigo BOB, but that didn’t work out this time. I had already contacted my nephew Mat about going on the trip with BOB and me, so Mat and I went off on our own. Mat had also signed up to go to Utah with Carol and me afterward for some canyoneering, hiking and sightseeing. Mat had never been to southern Utah, so we knew he was in for a treat…
0914 Friday Packing and Traveling to Mono Lake I HATE PACKING!!! Continue reading Post ID 587