Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Rockcraft at Taylor's Falls

The sensible folk said it was too cold for outdoor play. But Mel and I have played outside at -20 so that didn't stop us from trying out Mel's new anchor technique at the Minnesota strip today. The only two hardy souls there were Will and Eric from VE. They were helpful and polite and I must bake some cookies for them in gratitude.
Lessons learned today
  • Boulders are big.
  • A 6 foot sling only seems big indoors.
  • Someone needs to bring a rope. Probably the person that owns one. (me)
  • It is possible for a dead sasquatch to float upstream
  • It's good to be outside and alive in Minnesota in the Spring!
  • Climbing an anchor you set yourself can mess with your mind.
  • The sun will shine on you as you drive up to your house.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great list of lessons! Thanks for blogging.

richard said...

Hey what an accomplishment to set up a top rope under winter conditions. And then climb.

BTW, that's why you always bring a probe with you to climb first and make sure the anchors will hold.

richard said...

Oh, and the really exciting part of setting up an anchor is rappelling down that same rope because it's the only way to get to the bottom. That'll make you tingle all over.

PS Let the probe go first.