Good morning!
I sat up in the truck and peered through the back window. Colin was parked ahead of us. He had found the road and ended up arriving around midnight. I quickly put on clothes and popped out of the truck to meet him. It was great to see him again and we gave each other big hugs. It had been sometime since we last had a chance to catch up and hang out!
With the introductions finished, we planned our day. Plan was to climb 'Cat in the Hat' up in Red Rocks on the Mescalito. It's a 6 pitch climb, very easy grades (5.5 and 5.6) and trad. Which, obviously for me, makes it harder than it is. Here is a little website that will give you a good idea on what the climb involves:
http://www.supertopo.com/rock-climbing/Red-Rocks-Mescalito-South-Cat-in-the-Hat
It's one of the most popular climbs in Red Rocks, and we were expecting to see people on the route. However, because it was stupid hot, we saw no one. We had the climb to ourselves. We kitted up before we hiked in, loaded down with rope, climbing gear and water. Once we got to the base of the climb, I took all the trad gear and started to lead the first pitch. I always get a weird scary feeling in my stomach before I start to lead a trad route. It's almost like, I forget how to climb because I am worrying about placing the gear correctly.
Anyways, I did find. Other than getting to the second anchor (because you are suppose to skip the first) and getting lost in the process (my rope was ridiculously run out and I was basically walking around the cliff of a mountain trying to find the anchor, while all along, it was above me...), it was great! Colin and Ben followed me up and we set up for the next two pitches....
Did I mention it was hot? It was WAY too hot. By the time we got to the 4th pitch, we couldn't even bare being in the sunshine on the darker coloured rock. So, we only did 3 pitches. I lead the first one, as mentioned before and Ben lead the second and third. As a group, we decided that the next two pitches were a stupid idea and we rappelled down to the ground where our extra water and food was waiting for us.
It was a fun day, even if we couldn't get to the top of the climb. We felt exhausted already, and it was time for a drink and lunch. Sitting at Smith's, we decided that it was Las Vegas Strip evening! WOO! Time to doll up and play some slots! ... or not. We still looked like climbing/biking travelling bums, but it was fun nonetheless. Plus, Colin and I drank coffee.. and that is important. ;)
http://www.supertopo.com/rock-climbing/Red-Rocks-Mescalito-South-Cat-in-the-Hat
It's one of the most popular climbs in Red Rocks, and we were expecting to see people on the route. However, because it was stupid hot, we saw no one. We had the climb to ourselves. We kitted up before we hiked in, loaded down with rope, climbing gear and water. Once we got to the base of the climb, I took all the trad gear and started to lead the first pitch. I always get a weird scary feeling in my stomach before I start to lead a trad route. It's almost like, I forget how to climb because I am worrying about placing the gear correctly.
Anyways, I did find. Other than getting to the second anchor (because you are suppose to skip the first) and getting lost in the process (my rope was ridiculously run out and I was basically walking around the cliff of a mountain trying to find the anchor, while all along, it was above me...), it was great! Colin and Ben followed me up and we set up for the next two pitches....
Did I mention it was hot? It was WAY too hot. By the time we got to the 4th pitch, we couldn't even bare being in the sunshine on the darker coloured rock. So, we only did 3 pitches. I lead the first one, as mentioned before and Ben lead the second and third. As a group, we decided that the next two pitches were a stupid idea and we rappelled down to the ground where our extra water and food was waiting for us.
It was a fun day, even if we couldn't get to the top of the climb. We felt exhausted already, and it was time for a drink and lunch. Sitting at Smith's, we decided that it was Las Vegas Strip evening! WOO! Time to doll up and play some slots! ... or not. We still looked like climbing/biking travelling bums, but it was fun nonetheless. Plus, Colin and I drank coffee.. and that is important. ;)
We went to a country bar and grill - only because there were deals on drinks and the food looked solid. We were all so hungry and thirsty.. anything would have been perfect. The bar had a mechanical bull and it was a hoot watching guys get on it and give 'er a go. I wanted to try, but didn't end up going on it. A full stomach and well.. I didn't want the attention. For some reason, mechanical bulls are sexual to me. Why!?
Around 11pm, it was time to head back to the mountains to sleep. Our plan is to get up early and climb. climb. climb. climb! The cooler temps make for a great sleep and I was looking forward to it. We had a good day today. Kept busy and stayed out of the heat.
R&B
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