Off Tempo | chossclimbers.com

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Summary

Shirley taping up for the wideness that is Off Tempo (5.10a; Dec. 2005).

In December of 2005, we ignored the weather forecast (going nuts because of the rain) and drove out to Smith. We found chilly if clear conditions with a good blanket of snow. We figured that a nice off-width crack would keep us warm and so we set our sights on Off Tempo (5.10a) on the east side of the Lower Gorge. The standard descent looked treacherous and so we turned back and hiked in the long way (via bridge). The route is nice but the numb hands (everything in fact!) made it quite hard. This was pretty much all we did. Did I mention things were chilly?

Photos

The Marsupials as seen from the parking lot on a snowy day in December of 2005.

Shirley trying the standard approach to the Lower Gorge (was too snowy & we went in the long way; Dec. 2005).

Shirley hiking into the snowy Smith in December of 2005.

An unknown party starting pitch 3 of Free Lunch (5.10a) on the Picnic Lunch Wall (Dec. 2005).

Shirley on the long approach to the east side of the Lower Gorge at Smith...on a particularly snowy December weekend in 2005.

Shirley taping up for the wideness that is Off Tempo (5.10a; Dec. 2005).

Leading the wide Off Tempo (5.10a) on the Arrington Columns (Dec. 2005).

Blondie enjoying the warmth (not!) of the Lower Gorge at the base of Off Tempo on Arrington Columns (Dec. 2005).

Shirley hiking out of the Lower Gorge (east side) after a freezing day of trying to warm up on Off Tempo. The Monument and Little Three Fingered Jack are in the background (Dec. 2005).

Pano shot of the West Side Columns of the Lower Gorge as seen from the base of Off Tempo on the east side. Furthest left is the Morning Star Wall; furthest right is the Wildfire Wall (Pure Palm route, 11a, is the nicely chalked up stem box on right). Catwalk Cliff is a wide swath of columns in the center. Photo taken on a particularly snowy December weekend in 2005.

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