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Day 5: Reign Of Terror on The Predator
Shirley and Brad on the summit of The Predator.
I feel so embarrassed! I have not showered in a few days and my rock shoes are rancid. I can smell my own BO lying on the gurney and I’m coated in dust and mud. Not to mention my breath reeks of beer (good Oregon beer though). Helluva Thanksgiving gift for the poor doctor sewing up my slashed foot. I apologize profusely and their reaffirming silence makes things even more awkward. Shirley is there with encouragements like “LOOK at the size of that needle!!” The cut was a parting gift from our half day with Brad and Paul climbing the Predator – not big just bloody. The tower itself and the company were first rate even if I started up the wrong side. It was my own damn stupidity that led me to bleed a pint. “Why don’t you put your shoes back on” said Shirley after the stream crossing….”Nahhh…I got it”.
“OOOuuch – SHIT!”
Not quite.
Day 6: Resting
A cut professionally fixed with climbing tape.
We spent the previous night hanging out with Brad and Paul and their friend Ian who arrived in town. In the morning, the fellas head out for the White Rim while we’re supposed to do something small with the dogs (including Brad’s). We’re feeling lazy and the throbbing sole of my foot along with a cloudy sky provide a nice excuse. We hang out in town. We scout out some trailheads. We eat Turkey. Time to drop Ari off at Eric Bjornstad’s place. I’ve been looking forward to this and I’m not disappointed. One cannot think of desert climbing without thinking about the pioneers and near the top of that distinguished list is the name “Bjornstad”. Eric graciously invites us into his house and shows us around. Bits of climbing gear from various decades are scattered around. Eric shows us some of his climbing photos – candid shots with the likes of Beckey. A shot of Fred napping in a meadow sticks in my mind. He tells us of his days running coffee shops around the US and having to commute back to Moab for FA’s. He shows us his glass etching art. The man led an incredible life to say the least and I look forward to reading his climbing memoirs. I feel privileged and grateful for this opportunity! This is something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Photos
Brad, Shirley, Paul, and Blondie (Ari is missing in the photo) hiking in to The Predator in Kane Creek.
Thinking we’re staring up the Reign Of Terror route…Paul is in fact belaying me on the Rain Of Dust route…ooopsie (Nov. 22, 2006).
Daddy, daddy!! What is this shit??!! Why Timmy, this here be Cutler sandstone. Off-route on start of Rain Of Dust. Photo credit: Brad (Nov. 22, 2006).
Leading P1 of Reign Of Terror. Paul is belaying & Shirley is chilling at the base; photo credit Brad (Nov. 22, 2006).
Leading P1 of Reign Of Terror. Paul is belaying & Shirley is chilling at the base; photo credit Brad (Nov. 22, 2006).
Leading P2 of Reign Of Terror right before the chimney. Photo credit: Brad (Nov. 22, 2006).
Paul and yours truly just below the summit of Predator. Photo credit either Brad or Shirley (Nov. 22, 2006)?
Brad on Predator’s summit.
Shirley and Brad on the summit of The Predator…think it’s a self-portrait by Brad.
Shirley, Paul, and Brad (top-most) on the summit of the Predator after climbing Reign Of Terror which follows cracks in the visible face (Nov. 22, 2006).
And the close-up of the crew.
A cut professionally fixed with climbing tape.
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