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Summary
In November of 2005, Cecile R. (a fellow graduate of the “Splitter Camp 2005” in Indian Creek) joined us for a weekend of climbing in Smith’s Lower Gorge. The weather was pretty marginal (cold and foggy) but we managed to climb some quality lines. We did Cruel Sister (5.10a), Morning Star (5.10c), and Mantra (5.10a). On Sunday, we climbed Wildfire (5.10b) and TR’ed some 5.8 wideness to the right. Then we called it a day as it was pretty damn cold.Photos
![Lower Gorge Lower Gorge](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7424-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley, Blondie, and Cecile hiking into the west side of the Lower Gorge at Smith. Staender's Ridge dominates the background. November of 2005.
Cruel Sister
![Cruel Sister Cruel Sister](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7434-768x1024.jpg)
Leading Cruel Sister (5.10a). To the immediate right is Crack-a-no-go (5.11b) followed by Blood Clot (5.10b). Photo by Cecile R. November 2005.
Morning Star
![Morning Star Morning Star](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7454-768x1024.jpg)
Beginning the lead of Morning Star (5.10c) on Star Wall (Lower Gorge, West Columns). Shirley is belaying me. This is a 4-star crack/stemming route. Gorgeous climbing!! Photo credit: Cecile R. (November 19, 2005).
![Morning Star Morning Star](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7457-768x1024.jpg)
Leading Morning Star (5.10c). This is the friendly finger crack section below the crux. Photo by Cecile R.
![Morning Star Morning Star](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7459-768x1024.jpg)
Leading Morning Star (5.10c) on Star Wall (Lower Gorge's West Side Columns). I'm above the crux section at a nice, wide stance. Photo credit: Cecile R. (Nov. 19, 2005).
![Morning Star Morning Star](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_6801-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley starting up Morning Star (5.10c) and trying her best to imitate the etching at the base (Nov. 2005).
![Morning Star Morning Star](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_4153-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley seconding Lower Gorge's Morning Star (5.10c) - a Smith classic. Photo credit: Cecile R. (Nov. 19, 2005).
Mantra
![Mantra Mantra](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_6833-768x1024.jpg)
Leading Mantra (5.10a) - a somewhat dirty (sandy on lower half) route on Star Wall (Lower Gorge's West Columns). Shirley is belaying. Photo credit: Cecile R. (Nov. 19, 2005).
![Mantra Mantra](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_6831-768x1024.jpg)
Beginning the lead of Mantra (5.10a) - a somewhat dirty (sandy on lower half) route on Star Wall (Lower Gorge's West Columns). Photo credit: Cecile R. (Nov. 19, 2005).
Wildfire
![Wildfire Wildfire](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_6899-768x1024.jpg)
Leading Wildfire (5.10b) on (surprise!!) Wildfire Wall (Lower Gorge, West Side Columns). This is a great route. Initial 25 feet are the crux - thin stemming with tips to fingers crack. Photo credit: Cecile R. (November 20, 2005).
![Wildfire Wildfire](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_6918-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley, Cecile, and Blondie hanging out at the base of Wildfire route on the Wildfire Wall (Nov. 2005).
![Wildfire Wildfire](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_6930-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley stemming through the crux of Wildfire (5.10b). These lower 25 feet are the crux of the route - thin stemming with tips to fingers crack in flaring dihedral. Going eases on the upper half. 4-star route on Wildfire Wall (Lower Gorge's West Columns; Nov. 20, 2005).
![Lower Gorge Lower Gorge](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7002-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley, Cecile, and Blondie hiking out of the Lower Gorge after a weekend of good crack climbing (November 2005).
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