11/24/2012: Rick's Rocks

Met up with Jeff early for a morning of climbing at Rick's Rocks.  We didn't have much time (Jeff was going to Lincoln Center for the Nutcracker).  I told him he might be the most interesting man in the world, climbing in the morning and ballet at night.  Since it had been a while and we did not have much time, we decided to do One Bowl Gully (5.1).  Setting up the top rope is way quicker there.  I climbed four times in a row with a couple of variations trying to up the difficulty.  Jeff also climbed it a couple of times in a row.

After we both climbed a couple of times I decided I would try and lead it.  Lead the climb, put in five pieces of protection, hex, nut(s)?, and cams.  There is certainly extra stress when leading!  I got a little freaked out when Jeff lowered me off of the top rope anchors and some of the pieces popped.  I told myself they popped because they were being pulled in a direction other than a downward fall.  (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).  Got the first lead out of the way, onward and upward!

11/12/12: Birdsboro

Both Buddy and I had the day off for Veteran's Day. We met at Birdsboro for some climbing. Hopefully it would go better than the last time. We started out on the Main Wall, Rain Check Direct (5.8-).  After some difficulty we made it up.  We decided the rock was a little too wet and cold to get good grip.  We then decided to scout the areas exposed to the sun, the Giant Wall (slabs) and the Reservoir Wall.  Ended up deciding the try Mya's Climb (5.8).  It was a fun climb but we ended up bailing, I think both of us were a little sketched about getting to the last bolt, it seemed kind of a long way.  This time we left an old carabiner behind instead of a quick-draw.  We're learning.

09/15/2012: Birdsboro

Met Buddy at Birdsboro for some early climbing.  After the last time there I was filled with confidence.  We started out in the Zorro Face area.  I started leading on Pinch Six (5.6), at least I think that was it.  I say started because I struggled to get halfway up and ended up having to bail.  I'm not sure if the extra beers the night before had anything to do with my poor performance.  In fact I warned Buddy that I would probably be in similar condition as this guy:



We moved over to Zorro Corner (5.8+).  Again I flailed trying to get up the thing.  Buddy took the lead at one point and got 3 or 4 feet above the last bolt and fell.  After I got dragged across the ground, being careful not to lose my footing, I looked up, surprised to see Buddy only a few feet away from me.  I think he ended up taking a 10' whipper.  It was a first for both of us, at least we know we can handle it.  After his fall we tried to climb up to the anchors so we could retrieve the quick-draws.  We ended up leaving one on the wall.  Neither of us thought about leaving an old biner behind instead of the quick-draw.  Chock that one up to lesson learned.

We headed down to the Lower Climbs area to try some more.  At that point I was done, time to go home.

08/29/2012: Allamuchy

Met up with Jeff after work for some climbing at Allamuchy.  We headed over to the Practice Face set up the top rope, rappelled down the started climbing.  I'm pretty sure we were climbing Salty Tears Right (5.6).  I think I ended up climbing it 3 times.  One time I ventured over to the right to an overhang, I don't think it was Allamuchy's Great Roof (5.9), but it was nonetheless an overhang and was kind of tricky but not too bad.  Jeff went up twice, we decided he needs to get comfortable having his hands below his head sometimes while on the climb.  My last time up I carried the pack up to clear the top-rope, yes it made a difference climbing with the pack, but still made it up without much difficulty.

After climbing we met Michelle at Salt Gastropub.  Really great place, good vibe, good beer selection and good food, how can you go wrong?

08/05/2012: Birdsboro

Met Buddy at Birdsboro nice and early on a Saturday morning for some sport climbing. Interestingly enough neither of us had led any climb. We decided to start out with some easy stuff, so we headed over to the Slab Climbs. Pretty short and not too difficult. I think we started with Connor's Climb (5.5) Then worked on the rest of the climbs at the wall. We finished Triple S (5.4), Neophyte's Delight (5.6), Dancing Nancy (5.7), and Whimpering Wookie (5.7).  Found out the biggest difference with sport climbing compared to top-roping is the speed in which you can get set up finish the climb and then move on.

Up next trad lead climbing?

After climbing we stopped at Victory Brewery for some beers and lunch!  Awesome!

06/08/2012: Rick's Rocks

Climbed with Jeff after work. We climbed the Proboscis (5.6)

05/31/2012: Ralph Stover

Spent the day with a guide (Andrew) from Doylestown Rock Gym, going over building anchors and placing protection. The day was primarily to make sure I've been doing things correctly, and I was! He showed me how to set up anchors a lot quicker! Next time at Rick's Rocks it'll be a breeze. I did get one top roped climb in on the Chain Reaction Buttress called "No Self Control" (rated 5.6) After totally screwing the first move, I flew up the thing with no real issues. I think next time before I start a climb I will take a little extra time to "map out" the route.

05/18/2012: Rick's Rocks

Made it to Rick's Rocks for a little top-roping with Jeff and Michelle. Since it was Michelle's first time climbing and we had not been out in quite some time so we decided to start with "One Bowl Gully", rated 5.1? Not a technical climb, nevertheless it is quite fun. I was first up and cruised, came back down and cruised up again. Although I took a slight variation onto one of the overhangs, on which I slipped (I was rushing and not paying attention to my footwork) and banged my shin pretty good. Jeff was next up, he was a little tentative in spots but made it up. Then it was Michelle's turn, her first time roped up in a harness. She went about a third of the way up in her sneakers and decided that was far enough. Since we were getting hungry and darkness was approaching, I decided to climb up one last time to retrieve the top-rope anchors. I ended up climbing with the pack up in "pseudo alpine style".

After breaking everything done we walked back out to the car and went down to the Blairstown Inn for some burgers and beers. It was a great way to spend an evening after work!

03/19/2012: Mt Washington

06/10/2011: Baxter Peak (Katahdin)

Traveled up to Maine on a Thursday (Friday?) afternoon. Stayed at Tom and Lynn's Thursday (Friday?) night and traded some Wawa pretzels, Amoroso rolls, and scrapple for a lobster dinner.

Drove up to Wayne's the next morning, bright and early. We were supposed to get rain the following day (Sunday?)> So, we boogied up to Baxter and hiked in to our lean-to dropped off most of our gear and continued up to Baxter peak via the Cathedral Trail. We had thoughts of trying to squeeze in the Knife's Edge and Dudley Trail back to the lean-to but we were pretty much toast. Therefore, we decided to take the Saddle Trail back.

Next morning woke to rain and had to hike back to the car in a steady rain.

08/21/2010: Mt Washington

The idea for this trip was hatched after many beers with Cheff at Circa in High Bridge. The plan was to drive up the NH/Maine after work on a Friday. Start hiking early am then drive home that night.

Friday night stopped at Portsmouth Brew Pub.
Crashed on Tom and Lynn's couches.
Started climbing around 8:00 am.
Finished climbing around 4:00 pm.
Jeff drove the entire way home, his house by around 1:30-2:00 am.

Test...

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