Spark Notes:
Saturday: Royal Arches
Sunday: Star King
Song of the Weekend: Peaches - The Presidents of the United States of America (Spotify)
Maybe there are more fans of the Presidents of the United States of America than I think, but those seem to be the unifying songs this year. I've belted out verses about the little boll weevil while winding over Carson Pass and sang along to Peaches (which I guess everyone knows) while swerving past Hardin Flat towards the valley. I guess those will be some of my memories this year.
I once again managed to get myself along on a trip with Luke, Chris and Manit. This time they were three and Luke was trying to figure out the most efficient way to get them up the long Royal Arches route. I offered that maybe two teams of two would work well, which I guess everyone was okay with, so I was in.
We headed out of camp very early, parked at the Ahwahnee, and were the first folks on the route. In fact, the only people we saw all day were hauling bags up the 5th pitch at 3pm. I have absolutely no idea what they were doing. Luke grabbed the rack and headed up the first pitch, a very slippery chimney. After that, he let me lead the way and he followed as we simul-climbed. Every gear exchange or two, we waited for Chris and Manit to catch up. Overall, it was really quite a relaxing experience. I felt pretty good climbing the whole day, except that I wasn't sure where to find the beginning of the rap route and stopped a bit early.
The climb was pretty uneventful, just good fun. Highly recommended, especially with an early start to beat the crowds and as much sun as possible.
Luke had plans for a long run on Sunday, Chris was in the valley with his in-laws, wife and little girl (chillest family ever, by the way, but they're Hawaiian so not exactly a surprise), and Manit wasn't psyched on climbing. So, after checking out Hans and Honnold in the meadow, I took another trip to Mt. Starr King (though I haven't written about the first one yet...oops).
While this I had my head together a bit better, I still wasn't really interested in soloing the slab without really knowing where to go. So, I down climbed after climbing half the first pitch. It's funny, with a belayer, even without pro, I would have been fine, but there's a time and place for soloing, and that wasn't for me that day. Was I disappointed in myself? Yes, but it was still the right choice. Another time perhaps, or maybe not, time will tell. In any case, still a great hike to a beautiful part of Yosemite with plenty of wildlife (7 deer and plenty of birds and marmots).
Ticklist:
Royal Arches (5.7 A0) - 17 guidebook pitches, climbed in a short chimney pitch and 5 simul-ed pitches
Saturday: Royal Arches
Sunday: Star King
Song of the Weekend: Peaches - The Presidents of the United States of America (Spotify)
Maybe there are more fans of the Presidents of the United States of America than I think, but those seem to be the unifying songs this year. I've belted out verses about the little boll weevil while winding over Carson Pass and sang along to Peaches (which I guess everyone knows) while swerving past Hardin Flat towards the valley. I guess those will be some of my memories this year.
I once again managed to get myself along on a trip with Luke, Chris and Manit. This time they were three and Luke was trying to figure out the most efficient way to get them up the long Royal Arches route. I offered that maybe two teams of two would work well, which I guess everyone was okay with, so I was in.
We headed out of camp very early, parked at the Ahwahnee, and were the first folks on the route. In fact, the only people we saw all day were hauling bags up the 5th pitch at 3pm. I have absolutely no idea what they were doing. Luke grabbed the rack and headed up the first pitch, a very slippery chimney. After that, he let me lead the way and he followed as we simul-climbed. Every gear exchange or two, we waited for Chris and Manit to catch up. Overall, it was really quite a relaxing experience. I felt pretty good climbing the whole day, except that I wasn't sure where to find the beginning of the rap route and stopped a bit early.
 |
| Luke enjoying the valley view before the sun hit. |
Luke had plans for a long run on Sunday, Chris was in the valley with his in-laws, wife and little girl (chillest family ever, by the way, but they're Hawaiian so not exactly a surprise), and Manit wasn't psyched on climbing. So, after checking out Hans and Honnold in the meadow, I took another trip to Mt. Starr King (though I haven't written about the first one yet...oops).
While this I had my head together a bit better, I still wasn't really interested in soloing the slab without really knowing where to go. So, I down climbed after climbing half the first pitch. It's funny, with a belayer, even without pro, I would have been fine, but there's a time and place for soloing, and that wasn't for me that day. Was I disappointed in myself? Yes, but it was still the right choice. Another time perhaps, or maybe not, time will tell. In any case, still a great hike to a beautiful part of Yosemite with plenty of wildlife (7 deer and plenty of birds and marmots).
Ticklist:
Royal Arches (5.7 A0) - 17 guidebook pitches, climbed in a short chimney pitch and 5 simul-ed pitches
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