Ticklist:
Munginella (5.6) - 3 pitches, linked to 2
The Caverns (5.8) - 2nd pitch is the money, 4th pitch a little funky, still fun all-around.
Bishop's Terrace (5.8) - 2 pitches, linked to 1. Definitely do this in one pitch, lives up to its reputation as one of the best 5.8s around. Both OW and lieback variations are enjoyable. So nice we did it twice!
Super Slide (5.9) - 5 pitches, each better than the last. The 5.9 section is probably only 10 feet long, just at the end of the pitch, though there is a bit of loose rock/mud in places. Per the SuperTopo guide, linking 3 and 4 is very doable, but it's almost nicer to split up the fun leads.
Trial By Fire (5.8) - One full pitch of flaring wide crack, from fists to squeeze with plenty of chock stones. Thank god it eases off at the top. Careful with "overgripping" or you'll end up with roadrash all over like me.
Trip Highlight: Kat's fantastic birthday planning! I had more friends in the Valley than in San Francisco (almost), we communally drained a bottle of Bulleit and feasted on Kat's wonderful single-serving cakes.
Photosynth of Bennett coming up the fourth pitch of Super Slide (zoom in, he's there).
As usual, we rolled into the Pines campsite pretty late. Unlike usual, it was Thursday night...three days in the Valley! Between waking up a little late, and moving campsites, Bennett and I didn't start climbing until about noon. Still, we made quick work of Munginella, had a quick snack and went for The Caverns. We climbed well and psyche was high. It felt really good to have my lead-head on straight. We considered another pitch or two, but instead headed down to the Facelift evening activities: slideshows highlighted by Shawn White's coach (surprisingly interesting), Mayan Smith-Gobat (Kiwi climber extraordinaire), and Tommy Caldwell (interesting stories, but nothing new).
An earlier start on Saturday let us get up Bishop's Terrace (second in line) before getting over to Super Slide (PM shift, no lines or waiting), and finishing on Trial By Fire. Bennett was psyched for the wide crack, which turned out to be really fun: a proud lead for him, which I felt like I could have gotten done, too, though I definitely came out worse for wear afterwards. Not enough time for another one of the open books, but we did find Kat back at the campsite with Luke et al, basking in the glory of one of her more ambitious hikes to date (up to Glacier Point, woohoo!).
Saturday night drifted into Sunday morning, which meant a late start and taking it easy. Bennett wanted to lead Bishop's Terrace, and it was a perfect chance for Kat to get on the wall, too. After that, a nice walk to Mirror Lake and basking in El Cap meadow rounded out the day nicely.
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| Mantel practice on the way to Mirror Lake (photo: Kat Wong) |
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