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.