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Kris Haskins Staff Webpage |
Exit 32 Cragging |
| February 6th, 2010 |
With only the day free on Saturday (because we were headed to a silvertips game in the evening), I asked Dave if he wanted to head out and see what exit 32 looked like. I figured that if it was wet or raining, we could at least do some aid climbing on the few trad routes out there. Dave was on the same page and really looking forward to finally playing with rock pro.
We left Seattle around 9AM and drove to the little Si parking lot which was jam packed. I figured we might have to go to the overflow lot (which is finished, first time I had seen it), but a nice guy waived us down and gave us his spot. We saw a ton of people on the way up the trail, but it looked like they were all out for a hike which wasn't suprising since the conditions were very spring like. We quickly made it up to the repo/blackstone area and ran into one other group out climbing.
We started out on Repo wall with the 5.6 trad route, so I could get my first rock lead of the new year in. I had forgotten my helmet which made me a little nervous, but I got up it without any trouble although I took a little longer than usual and was a bit more cautious. Dave followed and cleaned the gear (his first time cleaning gear). Then we each took a lap on the front side face of the wall before Dave topped the 5.6 again placing gear that I then followed and checked.
Me leading the 5.6
Dave following the 5.6
Dave on the front face
After that, I walked around and set up a top rope so I could give Mambo Jambo (5.10b) a go. I plan on leading it at some point, but since it is a gear route I wanted to at least climb it once before I try. Top roping it is a bit hard as there is a lot of friction on the rope and so there was generally some slack in the rope as I climbed which gave it a sportier feel. I was able to climb it cleanly which was pretty awesome. I think it would be a pretty good lead since it has excellent hand jams almost the whole way. I got to the top and rapped back down so Dave could lead his first trad pitch ever.
Me rapping the top rope for Mambo Jambo
After climbing the route a few times, Dave decided he was ready to climb it on gear, and took off from the base. He did sew it up a bit, but climbed the route with style and joined the ranks of the elite :). Now all he has to do is start buying gear, which for Dave will surely be a huge problem.
Dave on his first gear lead
Dave higher up
We decided to end the day with a couple of sport routes. Dave had a little trouble with the start of the one by the trees who's name I can't recall (5.9). After a few false starts I took over and lead it while dave follwed and cleaned. We then headed over to Human Foot (5.8) which Dave lead and I cleaned.
Dave made a creative gear placement, and then we celebrated by consuming the gear. It was a great day out with a great partner, very spring like temps, and super dry rock. It looks like it may be time to start thinking about putting away the tools and putting on the rock shoes if the weather keeps heading in this direction. So much for climate change, eh?
Creative pro
Pro consumption
