Go back to Sedona.
Mars Attacks.
A quick, road trip down to Arizona with the boys. We only climbed (pretty nice) Mars Attacks on Fin Rock (a 4-pitch, 5.8 big +) but several “firsts” were had on this trip. It was Davey’s first time waiting for us at the base of a multi-pitch climb (albeit a short one) though we had practiced at Tieton with leaving him for short, single pitch bursts; doggo did good. Also, “test drove” a rented SUV to see if we could stick them both in the trunk space and have them get along for 20+ hours. Both boys passed this one. Rented a pretty cozy little Aribnb in Prescott to cook up a home-made Turkey Day dinner. Man, we do like that little town and the lack of crime and vagrants was particularly striking coming from Portland.
Video
Wrestling.
“Granite Mountain Wrestling Match”
Photos
Gassing up somewhere in the middle of nowhere on our way down to Arizona (November 2021).
A bathroom break somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Nevada (November 2021).
Not only was this meant as a test of juror’s ability to wait for us at a base of a multi-pitch route, we also wanted to see if the beasts would get along in the back an SUV for 20+ hours (November 2021).
Benny enjoying the nice Airbnb in Prescott (November 2021).
Big teddy bear (November 2021).
Chilling at the Airbnb (November 2021).
On the hike up to Mars Attacks on Fin Rock (November 2021).
Shirley nearing the route (November 2021).
The boys on approach to Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Benny can be trusted near cliff edges but Davey still gets leashed up in places like this (November 2021).
Starting up Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Topping out on pitch 1 (November 2021).
Shirley starting up Mars Attacks route. That pitch 1 does feel significantly harder than the book-advertised 5.8 (November 2021).
Views from the first belay (November 2021).
Shirley on pitch 1 (November 2021).
In the thin of it (November 2021).
Shirley past the crux on pitch 1 of Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Shirley arriving at the first belay (November 2021).
The money pitch (number two) of Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Looking back at Shirley from the start of pitch 2 (November 2021).
Further along on the photogenic pitch 2 (November 2021).
Views from the second belay (November 2021).
Shirley on the pitch 2 traverse (November 2021).
Looking up at the easy but fun pitch 3 of Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Arriving at the second belay station (November 2021).
Starting up pitch 3 (November 2021).
Looking back towards Shirley from low on pitch 3 (November 2021).
Higher on the nice pitch 3 (November 2021).
Shirley in the finishing section of pitch 3 (November 2021).
Topping out on the very nice pitch 3 (November 2021).
Leading pitch 4 (November 2021).
More pitch 4 (November 2021).
Shirley above the difficulties on pitch 4 of Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Route’s finishing slab is runout but easy (November 2021).
Shirley back at the base (November 2021).
The boys did well at the base (November 2021).
Davey dog (November 2021).
Benny at the base of Mars Attacks (November 2021).
Shirley hiking down with much of the route visible above (November 2021).
Taking in the views on the way down (November 2021).
On the way down (November 2021).
Davey and a yucca plant (November 2021).
The boys on the way down (November 2021).
Benny dog (November 2021).
Shirley and her sous chef (November 2021).
Two drams of scotch in (November 2021).
The boys (November 2021).
Almost cuddling or, more likely, Benny did not notice Davey’s proximity (November 2021).
Granite Mountain hike (November 2021).
Boys and Granite Mountain (November 2021).
Racing in the sunshine (November 2021).
Did somebody say “stick”??
Wrestling (November 2021).
Granite Mountain (November 2021).
More one-dog-fetch game for Benny (November 2021).
Granite Mountain (November 2021).
Benny engaged in a game of fetch (with himself tossing the stick; November 2021).
Filing down the nails on some slick rock (November 2021).
Somewhere along the hike (November 2021).
Benny eating up the Sedona ambiance (November 2021).
A quick sip of water and time to go home (November 2021).
Go back to Sedona.