Getting Aid At VEM

This morning, Marianna, Peter O. and I had a few hours of aid climbing. Peter did a traversing bolted aid route and a traversing aid route on gear. I got to clean them - which is typically women's work - but, I did it anyway because  was the only one who had an apron.

Marianna had her first aid climb and loved it.

Marianna high stepping - which is pretty awkward.

Here's Marianna inside my haul bag. Our next project it to haul her up the wall while she's inside the haul bag.
















Here's Peter putting gear in the crack, testing it, and then aiding on it.

The summit.

Rappelling Off The Rope

Usually rappelling off the rope is dangerous. In this case, it's just plain fun.



(At the very beginning, you can see he's tied into the green rope which is anchored above. So when he raps off the end of the blue rope, he's falling onto the other rope.)

Aid Climbing At VEM

Jen loves aid climbing. Here she is after her first aid climb. 

Peter O., Jen and I did some jugging and hauling today too. I wasn't able to use my belay seat though - I couldn't figure out how to get over to it. Maybe next time. 

Aid Climbing At VE

Peter O. and I had our first clinic on aid climbing  and bag hauling this morning at VEM. I'm very slow at it; he's very fast.

 

This Will Make Your Stomach Churn

A short video of Alex Honnold free soloing a 5.12 pitch halfway up 1500' wall.



You could say what he does is exceedingly dangerous - and you'd be correct. Except, here's a story of a climbing killed while bouldering in the gym.

"Mark Hesse, a long-time Colorado Springs resident, made numerous ascents of mountains, cliffs, and desert towers in his long and storied climbing career."

And here's a story of a climber killed by his partner. The guy who was killed was known for "hectoring fellow climbers with unsolicited advice on routes and holds.." So be careful out there folks; it's a dangerous world. 

Portaledging at VES

Still taking me a long time to set up my ledge. It's very comfy though. Here I am today at St Paul VE.