The Ferret’s Dead

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Summary

The Ferret's Dead
Shirley leading The Ferret's Dead (5.9) on the Parched Cat Cliff. Photo by Scotty.

Another day of Lower Gorge climbing in October of 2006. We hit up the Parched Cat Cliff (first and only – as of October of 2011 – time there). Did Physical Abuse (5.10a), a short crack route or almost a boulder problem but with a poor landing. We also did Cretin’s Retreat (5.10c) which I thought was as good as Wildfire (which gets a better star rating in Watts’ book) and The Ferret’s Dead (5.9) next door. We ran into some friends. We ended the day by doing Wildfire(5.10b) again.

Photos

Parched Cat Cliff
Parched Cat Cliff as seen from Windfall Wall in Smith's Lower Gorge (July 2007).
Physical Abuse
Shirley giving Physical Abuse line a go though she did not end up liking it very much...This is a short 5.10a "boulder problem" of a route but has a poor landing (think thorny bushes below; Oct. 28, 2006).
Cretin's Retreat
Starting up Cretin's Retreat (5.10c) on Parched Cat Cliff of Smith's Lower Gorge. Fingers to tips to no crack and lotta stemming footwork (fell twice; Oct. 28, 2006).
Cretin's Retreat
Starting up Cretin's Retreat (5.10c) on the Parched Cat Cliff. Our friends on the right are starting The Ferret's Dead (5.9; Oct. 2006).
Cretin's Retreat
Leading Cretin's Retreat belayed by Shirley; our friends are on The Ferret's Dead. Parched Cat Cliff action in October of 2006.
Cretin's Retreat
Leading Cretin's Retreat with the upper headwall visible above. The route Oriface (5.10b...the spelling is correct) reportedly climbs this face but we have not done it (bolts; Oct. 2006).
Cretin's Retreat
Leading Cretin's Retreat (5.10c). This is the initial stem corner portion - as good as Wildfire but more sustained (Oct. 2006).
Cretin's Retreat
Approaching the upper crux on Cretin's Retreat - say bye-bye to the crack and go for the face just above. Brian L. is leading The Ferret's Dead just next door. Photo credit: Scotty (thank you! Oct. 28, 2006).
The Ferret's Dead
Shirley starting up The Ferret's Dead (5.9) on the Parched Cat Cliff (Oct. 2006).
The Ferret's Dead
Shirley leading The Ferret's Dead (5.9) on the Parched Cat Cliff. Photo by Scotty.
The Ferret's Dead
Shirley leading The Ferret's Dead (5.9) on Parched Cat Cliff in Smith's Lower Gorge. Cretin's Retreat (5.10c fingers) is on the right (Oct. 28, 2006). Photo credit: Scotty (thank you sir!).
Wildfire
Blondie hanging out at the base of Wildfire (Oct. 2006).
Lower Gorge
Shirley hiking out of the Lower Gorge after a fine day of fall (see them colors??) climbing. The Monument is keeping guard in the background (Oct. 2006).
Windfall Wall
The Windfall Wall as seen from the hike out (Oct. 2006).

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