The mental crux of the entire climb day: crossing the mostly collapsed bridge over Boulder Creek. Note that 2 out of the 3 spans are cracked. You walk on the center (cracked) span and hold on to the one remaining with your hands (and hope for the best). Guess the note at the trailhead warning of the washed out bridge was not kidding (May 1, 2004).

Old Man as seen from its southern base during the approach. A newish (?) bolted (?) 5.11c (?) route called The Prize (?) climbs this face (May 1, 2004).

Shirley climbing up to the Old Woman-Old Man notch where Dilley's Delight (5.9) begins (May 1, 2004).

Shirley leading pitch 1 (5.6) of Dilley's Delight (5.9) on the Old Man (May 2004).

Shirley leading pitch one of Dilley's Delight at the base of the 5.6 crack. The pitch starts with a low angle traverse along a grassy ledge (4th class probably) - approx. 30 feet (May 1, 2004).

Shirley belaying me from the notch atop pitch one of Dilley's Delight (May 1, 2004).

Looking down at the 5.6 crack (the vegetated one) from near the top of pitch one of Dilley's Delight (May 1, 2004).

Looking down from just above the initial (5.8) crux of pitch two of Dilley's Delight. Shirley is belaying me from the nice notch below. Note the single bolt at the top of this 15 foot section and lots of trad gear possibilities. This section was harder than it looked from below (May 1, 2004).

Looking down from the lead of pitch two of Dilley's Delight. This is about 1/3rd of the way up the pitch. Shirley is belaying me from the comfy notch below (May 1, 2004).

Old hanger somewhere on pitch 2 of Dilley's Delight route on the Old Man.

Shirley arriving on the summit of the Old Man via Dilley's Delight route.

Yours truly at the summit of Old Man. Old Woman is in the background (May 1, 2004).

Shirley signing the summit register atop of Old Man according to which ours was the second ascent of the Old Man in 2004. The first was back in March (May 1, 2004)

Shirley setting up the rappel on the summit of the Old Man.

Shirley on the summit of the Old Man.

Rapping off the summit of the Old Man.

Beginning the lead of the Northwest Ridge on Old Woman (5.4R). Not much pro placement opportunity on the lower 2/3rds but the going is quite easy (May 1, 2004).

Nearing the top of the Old Woman's Northwest Ridge route (May 1, 2004).

Shirley enjoying the spacious summit of The Old Woman. The summit of The Old Man is in the background. This is looking south (May 1, 2004).

he required summit shot atop The Old Woman. This is looking north and "that" is a nalgene water bottle hanging from the back of my harness......though I WAS quite happy to be up there 🙂 (May 1, 2004).

This is a shot of page 1 of the summit log atop The Old Woman. Note the year appearing on the page: "1974". I guess not many ascents have taken place over the last 30 years since it's the same notebook (May 1, 2004).

Old Woman (left) and Old Man as seen from the northwest (May 1, 2004).

Old Woman (left) and Old Man as seen from the northwest. Dilley's Delight route climbs up to the obvious notch on the right side of The Old Man (May 1, 2004).

Old Man (left) and Old Woman as seen from highway 138 just east of the formations. Yes, it's not the greatest photo as it was shot with the sun shining head on, but it does show the sleek profiles of the formations (May 1, 2004).

Old Man and Old Woman (left) as seen from the highway.