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| Journal Day 3 Tuesday, July , 2004 |
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| MEALS Breakfast: A Pack Snack: A Lunch: A Dinner: A Dessert: A |
| ROUTES: A.M.: Table Rock First pitches of Jim Dandy 5.? & Peek--a-boo 5.? climbing & lowering P.M Jim Dandy 5.4 climbing & mock leads Peek-a-boo climbing with a rack |
| WEATHER Sunny, nice breeze Very clear day to see far distances Afternoon thunderstorm which we could see coming from the distant mountains. |
| The first part of the trail goes up to the base of the mountain and then splits. Today we took the path to the right which was an up and down trail through the trees, sometimes across rock and accesses the base of many routes. We arrived at Jim Dandy and Peek-a-boo and were the first to claim it. |
| Since the rest of the week would be spent on Table Rock the routine was established of rising and meeting at the parking lot just below our campsite. There we met at the car storing our food and ate breakfast, prepared and packed lunch in day packs. Climbing gear needed for the day was laid out and each person packed out their share. From there we took the trail up to whichever route we had planned for the day. |
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| The high adventurers woke early eager to eat breakfast and hike up to Table Rock which they had viewed from the chimneys. |
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| Off we go! |
| It's a short scramble up from Jim Dandy to the base of Peek-a-boo. |
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| Jim Dandy, like many routes, offers a different experience each time you climb it based on how you vary your starting point and directional choices along the route. |
| We unpacked the gear and Joe prepared to lead climb Jim Dandy while I belayed. Joe loaded his rack with the gear he needed for the bolted route. He racked quick-draws, biners and was ready to lead. To belay a lead climber you must be prepared to lock them off quickly in case of a fall and yet be prepared to give them the slack they need when they take a large step up so that the rope doesn't hamper them midstep and pull them off the mountain. Communication is a key element so all onlookers remained quiet on the ground. |
| A look down from Peek-a-boo at the staging area for Jim Dandy. |
| followed by this candid photo which was more representative of the them. As you can see we became a real team today. and me |
| What a thrill to touch ground and be so excited by your personal achievement. I wish you could have heard her sound effects! |
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| Under Construction ELEPHANTS= photos to be uploaded and some text to be added |
| As we finished packing up to hike back I shot this photo of the group. |
| Peggy spotted one of nature's personal bests. We watched as an ant scaled Peek-a-boo with a potato chip. Climb on! |
| I belayed Joe up Peek-a-boo about three-fourths up the first pitch. It took a 70 meter rope to set up a slingshot belay system at that height. Climbers were belayed from the base of the route. That afternoon I belayed Joe back up to the anchor where he broke down the anchor system and went back to lead climbing. He placed protection along the way |
| A couple climbed through and did the step over on Peek-a-boo and continued on to it's second pitch. You have to stand on one rock edge and hold your arms outstretched high above your head, fall forward until your hands make contact with the rockface across the abyss. Then you work your hands to a good hold and step one leg over to a foothold and pull yourself up. It's considered a heady move because of the visual. Hope we can do this one year. These participants proved to be capable had Dennis been available to lead the second pitch. We don't do routes unless at least one Climbing Director is familiar with it. I happened to be at the top of Jim Dandy stripping the gear for the day when I was able to shoot this from the ledge. I helped encourage her to take the step as those of us at the base of Peek-a-boo did as well. |
| Peek-a-boo provided a breathtaking view of the blue ridge mountains and new experiences for our climbers. Joe and I received many compliments that these first two days were so packed full of information and great routes that the remainder of the week would all be gravey. Little did they really know the wider experiences they would gain and the personal stretching, challenges and excitement they would add to their repetoire. |
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| secured that rope and I lowered the climber. Joe pulled the belay system off the bolt and threaded the longer 70 meter rope through the bolt and then tied it to the end of the second rope. I then set up for a Fireman's belay at the base. Joe loaded a figure 8 onto both ropes for a double line rappel and loaded a prussik from his harness belay loop to the double rope above the figure 8 as a back up. He rappelled down to the base and unloaded the figure eight and prussik. As Joe rested and got some water I began pulling on the shortest rope which had the knot on this side of the bolt. The 70 meter rope tail began rising up the rock face. When the rope I was pulling became heavier than the rope on the other side of the bolt gravity took over and the rope passed itself through the bolt. and tumbled down the rockface. Fortunately the tail did not jam as it passed through the bolt (see last year) and it did not catch on any roc and Ionce its freefall stopped I was able to pull the rest of it down. I untied the two ropes and both were coiled. |
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| until he reached the top of the first pitch. He anchored himself on the bolt and pulled the rope all the way up freeing it from the quick draws and protection set when he led up to the top bolt. He set up a top rope belay system and as he yelled "rope" I checked the area and once participants were clear I answered back "clear." Joe tossed the rope out and to his right attempting to steer the rope far enough over so that its tail end would tumble down to us faster than it would roll across the slanted rock into the gulley you see on our right. With each attempt that failed he had to haul the rope back up to a coil which he could throw again. You can see what a feat this was to accomplish. Once the rope arrived the route was ready for climbers to be top belayed by Joe from the belay station ledge at the bolt. The first climber acted as a second and cleaned the gear Joe had placed as he led up from the first anchor bolt to the second. The last climber attached a second rope, 60 meters long, to the back of his harness and hauled it up with him. Joe |
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