Kaitlin, Andrew, Blondie and Shirley chilling at the base of Hemp Liberation on Snake Rock (Sept. 2007).A nice weekend at Smith Rock in mid September of 2007. On Saturday, Shirley did her first aid lead on Monkey Face, a pitch called Rising Expectations that clocks in at 5.11+ if free or a nice, friendly C1 if aided. On Sunday, we were joined by our friends Andrew and Kaitlin for a few pitches on Snake Rock, including Cling On (5.8, first pitch), A Desperate Man (5.9), Hemp Liberation (5.10d, Andrew’s lead), and Midriff Bulge (5.10a).
Photos
Saturday
Shirley starting up Rising Expectations (C1) on Monkey Face...first pitch of clean aid for Shirley (Sept. 2007). Shirley focused on her first aid lead. Rising Expectations (C1) on Monkey's east face (Sept. 2007). Looking down (onto yours truly belaying) from lead of Rising Expectations (Shirley's lead at C1 or all yours free at 11d; September 2007. Shirley midway up Rising Expectations (C1; Sept. 2007). Shirley sampling her first aid lead on Rising Expectations (5.11d or in our case C1) on Monkey's east face. The thin crack on the right is East Face (5.13d or C2+). The rope is hanging on Just Do It (5.14). Photo credit goes to Coolpix timelapse feature. Different angle view of East Face and Rising Expectations here. September 2007.
Shirley leading (C1) Rising Expectations on Monkey's east face. This is the (aid) crux bulge near the top (Sept. 2007). Shirley leading (at C1) Rising Expectations on Monkey's east face. Additional vantage points here and here (Sept. 2007). My favorite climbing partners. Smith Rock, Oregon, September 2007.
Sunday
Leading the tricky pitch 1 of Cling On (5.8) on Snake Rock (Sept. 2007). Shirley topping out on the tricky pitch 1 of Cling On (5.8) on Snake Rock (Sept. 2007). Starting the lead of P2 of Cling On (5.9) on Snake Rock at Smith. Shirley's belaying. Though a bit chossy, two of the three cracks look attractive. However, a large teetering "death block" (next to my face) sitting at their base made me turn back...would've made for a bad day had it gone. Photo credit goes to our Nikon Coolpix & tripod & esp. our friend A. who did adjust the shooting angle on it after P1. Arete on right is Split Image an Alan Watts classic clocking in at 5.12 c/d (Sept. 2007). Andrew leading A Desperate Man (5.9) on Snake Rock (Sept. 2007). Andrew starting the lead of Hemp Liberation (5.10d) on Snake Rock (Sept. 2007). Andrew leading Hemp Liberation (5.10d) on Snake Rock. This is probably the crux (Sept. 2007). Foreground to background: Shirley, Andrew, Blondie, and Kaitlin taking in the ambiance of Snake Rock at Smith Rock in September (2007). Leading A Desperate Man (5.9) on Snake Rock at Smith. Shirley's belaying. A nice if short line. Cams to #0.75 Camalot & one or two small & medium nuts (Sept. 2007). Kaitlin, Andrew, Blondie and Shirley chilling at the base of Hemp Liberation on Snake Rock (Sept. 2007). Leading the short Midriff Bulge (5.10a) crack on the west side of The Christian Brothers formation (Sept. 2007).
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