rocktown

we've had a rocky relationship with Rocktown that finally ended in the sunshine!  conditions are nearly impossible to predict.  checking online weather sites, you'd think:

sun = good climbing conditions
rain = iffy climbing conditions
clouds = likely still climbable

however, all of that is out the window!  there is this foggy mist that rolls through and condenses on the rock, and mist is not one of the usual online forecasts.  its far worse than rain because there isnt water falling out of the sky - where you can climb under a roof and still get in a good day.  rather, this mist clouds the air, sticks to the stone, and soaks the rock.  its truly no fun at all but i guess its a little fascinating too ;)  in any case, we finally had some stellar conditions for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!

there is no guidebook.  supposedly.. it comes out in the spring (har har, how many times have we heard exactly that on this trip?!), and there will be more problems than at LRC.  i guess we'll find out when the book is released.  we've been using an old Dr. Topo guide to get around.  it can be a little difficult to decipher, but it works well enough.  this bouldering spot feels a little more like "outdoor" climbing since the boulders are a little more spread out, the crowds are a little more dispersed, and there are trees!  the climbing is generally on the steep side, with more smaller crimps and incut holds.  but there are still plenty of the powerful, slappy, sloping holds.  i have grown to love these - oh, so much!

it looks busy, but it cleared out quickly.

this may look like writing, but its actually iron rails in a cave!  isn't that sweet?!

jason and noah .. warming up together.

my turn.

and topping out on nothing.. look at those slopey handholds.  its all friction.

this rock was sweet!  look at the iron swirls all over the place.  here i am trying "boy beta."

that didnt work for me, so i switched it up.

just slightly steep, slopey ledges can be so hard to hold.. so much body tension required..

jason's proj.. in a tshirt!

these are certainly slopey holds.. very friction-dependent..

yay tshirt!

sarah boman sending her project!

i re-used her beta.  slabby, trusty feet.. eek.

searching for anything to hold.. anything..

trust those feet!

noah sending, of course..

trust those feet and mantle over..

wow scary..

i give it a try.. but too scared to top out - sketch!  no thanks!

the photo above is my reach.. and here is jason's reach.  :)

im trying to help out with foot holds, but i realize now.. he totally cant see me pointing ;)  i am of no help at all!

and again.. trusty feet.. and mantle!