Ewephoria | chossclimbers.com

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Shirley leading the spectacular fourth pitch of Ewephoria.

Feeling somewhat beat up the next morning (including Blondie), we drove back to the Sheepshead planning to climb Ewephoria (5.8) thinking we’d have an easier day of it. When we arrived at the base, we found a party racking up. I started up pitch 1 behind them and they kindly agreed to let us pass. I found the first pitch to be pretty slick (water course I think). Shirley led the even pitches, including the spectacular fourth pitch of alligator plates with highly beveled edges…I felt quite out of it and so Shirley led the final, awkward-yet-spectacular pitch (we topped out via the beautiful finishing pitch of The Climb Too Tough To Die that we’ve done before). The forecast for the following day was calling for rain and snow mix and so we went to bed expecting not to climb much.

Cold temperatures and dark clouds greeted us in the morning. A quick check of the forecasts showed Red Rocks to be dry (if cold) while Cochise weather was to continue deteriorating. After a leisurely breakfast, we drove (through rain) to Vegas making plans to climb a long and classic line deep in the canyons…

Photos

Shirley and Blondie on approach to The Sheepshead (large one, on left; Dec. 2010).

Somebody is swimming through the grasses…

Unknown party on Ewephoria on Sheepshead (Jan. 2009).

Shirley and Blondie racking up for Ewephoria route on Sheepshead (Dec. 2010).

Shirley nearing the top of pitch 1 of Ewephoria…pretty damn slick climbing in a watergroove (Dec. 2010).

Shirley starting the lead of pitch 2 of Ewephoria on Sheepshead (Dec. 2010).

Leading the third pitch of Ewephoria…some slickness leading to a bulge followed by easy (& fun) chickenheads (Dec. 2010).

Shirley topping out on pitch 3 of Ewephoria…a varied pitch ending with some easy (& large) chickenheads (Dec. 2010).

Shirley (sporting a chalk mustache…probably chalk…then again the place is close to Mexico) atop the third pitch of Ewephoria. See the ewe hanging on the belay bolt (Dec. 2010)?

Shirley leading the spectacular fourth pitch of Ewephoria (Dec. 2010).

Looking down at the chicken-head-studded line that is Ewephoria (Dec. 2010).

Shirley starting the last pitch of Ewephoria.

Shirley leading (once again) the finishing pitch of Ewephoria…this is actually the final pitch of The Climb Too Tough To Die (5.10-) which we’ve done (& Shirley led) a couple years ago. Spectacular pitch with an awkward crux (Dec. 2010).

Daddy topping out on the Ewephoria route on Sheepshead (Dec. 2010).

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