Weekend In The City

Summary

Martin, Shirley and Haydar enjoying (liquid) breakfast in City Of Rocks (June 2006).

In May 2006, during a climbing trip to Washington’s Leavenworth, Haydar, Martin, and we hatched a plan to do a quick in and out trip to the City Of Rocks the following Weekend. We left Portland Friday evening after work and were back home late Sunday night. On Saturday, we climbed Wheat Thin (5.7), Rye Crisp (5.8) while Haydar and Martin climbed Just Say No (5.9). Then a brief thunderstorm passed through. We then moved on and did Intruding Dike (5.7) and Bloody Fingers (5.10a). Martin and Haydar did that chimney line right of Bloody. On Sunday, we did Private Idaho (5.9) and the very nice (2 pitcher) Animal Cracker (5.10a). The lowlight was Martin slicing his finger open while Haydar’s rescue of our #3.5 Camalot (with a busted trigger wire) was the highlight. A great quick trip to The City.

Photos

A ten hour drive after work on Friday night put us in City Of Rocks at 3ish in the morning which meant a short night of sleep. Shirley brushing her tooths before the climbing (June 2006).

Shirley, Haydar, and Martin racking up for climbs on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Wheat Thin

Shirley starting up Wheat Thin (5.7) on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Shirley leading Wheat Thin (5.7; June 2006).

Shirley leading the nice Wheat Thin (5.7) on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Rye Crisp

Starting up the Rye Crisp (5.8) route on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Leading the very nice Rye Crisp flake (5.8) on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Haydar on Colombian Crack. Photo taken from top of Rye Crisp route...also on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Martin atop Colombian Crack on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Shirley topping out on Rye Crisp (5.8) on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Martin and Haydar atop the Colombian Crack (5.7) on Elephant Rock (June 2006).

Martin, Shirley and Haydar enjoying (liquid) breakfast in City Of Rocks (June 2006).

Elephant Rock from the trailhead. The rightmost climber is on Pigmies Got Stoned (5.10a); the party to his left are on Rye Crisp (5.8) and the party on top has probably climbed Just Say No (5.9) or Colombian Crack (5.7). June 2006.

A double rainbow as seen from our camp (June 2006).

Martin, Haydar, Shirley and Blondie in our camp (BLM land) waiting out a short T-storm (June 2006).

Blondie also keeping an eye out for danger!

Blondie chilling in camp (June 2006).

Intruding Dike

Shirley starting up the nice Intruding Dike (5.7; June 2006).

Shirley starting up the nice Intruding Dike route (5.7) in City Of Rocks (June 2006).

Shirley starting up the classic Intruding Dike (5.7) belayed by yours truly (June 2006).

Shirley leading Intruding Dike (5.7; June 2006).

Shirley belaying me from atop Intruding Dike (June 2006).

Haydar starting the lead of Intruding Dike belayed by Martin (June 2006).

Haydar enjoying the nice cruise that is Intruding Dike (June 2006).

Haydar leading Intruding Dike (June 2006).

Bloody Fingers

Starting up the great Bloody Fingers (5.10a) route - super fun climbing (June 2006).

Leading the classic Bloody Fingers crack (5.10a) in City Of Rocks (June 2006).

Leading Bloody Fingers route (June 2006).

Haydar chilling in camp (June 2006).

Martin chilling in camp (June 2006).

Shirley, Martin, and Haydar enjoying a campfire after our fist day of climbing in City Of Rocks (June 2006).

Private Idaho

Shirley starting up Private Idaho on Bath Rock belayed by yours truly (June 2006).

Shirley leading the very nice Private Idaho (5.9) crack on Bath Rock. Yours truly belaying and Haydar is on the right chilling (June 2006).

Shirley starting the lead of Private Idaho route on the back of Bath Rock (June 2006).

Shirley starting up Private Idaho (5.9) on Bath Rock (June 2006).

Shirely nearing the top of Private Idaho (5.9) on Bath Rock (June 2006).

Animal Cracker

Martin, Haydar and Shirley on the approach to Animal Cracker route (May 2006).

Starting up pitch 1 of Animal Cracker...the chickenhead I'm standing on provides an interesting opening move for those not quite as tall (May 2006).

Starting the lead of Animal Cracker (May 2006).

Starting up pitch 1 of Animal Cracker (May 2006).

Leading pitch 1 of Animal Cracker...this I thought was the crux, a short OW crack/flake to a small roof pull (May 2006).

Window Rock from the top of pitch 1 of Animal Cracker route (May 2006).

Shirley pulling over the small roof on pitch 1 of Animal Cracker (5.10a). Great route - should be 4-stars IMHO. Martin is below (May 21, 2006).

Shirley starting the lead of pitch 2 (5.8) of Animal Cracker (5.10a). Bit flaring hand crack to well featured 5.6 face (May 21, 2006).

Shirley leading pitch 2 of Animal Cracker (5.8; May 2006).

Shirley higher on pitch 2 of Animal Cracker (May 2006).

Looking down from top of pitch 1 of Animal Cracker. Haydar, Martin and Blondie are at the base (May 2006).

Shirley atop the Animal Cracker route in City Of Rocks (May 2006).

Haydar topping out on pitch 2 of Animal Cracker and showing off the #3.5 Camalot he rescued despite a busted trigger wire (May 2006).

Views from top of Animal Cracker route. Window Rock (edge of it) is on the right; Incisor/Morning Glory Spire is just left (small)...the two large formations dominating the view are...not really sure (May 2006).

Go back to City Of Rocks page.