20045

Journal
Day 5
Thursday, July 15, 2004

MEALS
Breakfast:
      A
Pack Snack:
      A
Lunch:
      A
Dinner:
      A
Dessert:
      A

ROUTES:
A.M.:
Table Rock
The Cave 5.5
Climbing, 2 pitch mountaineering
P.M
Table Rock
North Ridge 5.5
Climbing 3 pitch
mountaineering

WEATHER
Sunny, breezy

We headed back up the trail to Table Rock and took a right turn and followed the trail that runs along the base of the mountain counterclockwise. We passed Jim Dandy and Peek-a-boo and continued around to The Cave route. It's quite a scramble up to it's base. It has a great staging area.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate!.

We're getting good at the breakfast, pack lunch & climbing gear routine. Dennis McGarry, Council Program Director, joins us today.

Up and at 'em and off to the multi-pitches. Everyone is excited about today, including the Climbing Directors.

After Dennis and Joe set up the transition area on the ledge, the next person began to climb up the first pitch being belayed from the ground. Joe belayed Dennis as he climbed away to lead the second pitch. See Joe smiling above.

Each person is either binered into a butterfly knot or a figure eight knot midrope or is on the end of one rope with the beginning of the next rope binered to the back of their harness. That way they drag the next rope up with them.

At the base of the Cave route Dennis prepared to lead. He placed pro up the cave route's first pitch to the ledge. He anchored and Joe seconded the route, climbing up and picking up the pro that Dennis had placed. Once he reached the ledge they set up a transition on the ledge.

The third pitch started off to a trail and then became almost like individual bouldering routes with a few steps on a trail between each. It also required some scrambling and the scouts practiced their anchoring techniques at the top and belayed Dennis up the last scramble. We all took our climbing gear off and coiled our ropes. There was time to pick blueberries and shoot pictures from the top of Table Rock. Then we started down the trail to the parking lot where we caught up to Joe for a little more anchor instruction at the boulders. Dinner was next and dessert around the campfire. Alan Barnhardt & friend arrived to lead the next day. We headed off early to bed as we did lots of great climbing today and all of us were tired.

The second pitch is up and over the ridge along some lichen and then past a rock lip and up to the trees. There are good views in many directions.

On the second pitch Peggy climbs over an edge and disappears for a while as she makes her way up to and over a slight overhang, across a roof and up to the belay station at the mountain laurels. Another reason this route is heady is you don't see where you are going and usually don't have visual contact with your belayer.

It was a little windy. Two birds flew by at eye level riding the thermals just after I had packed up my camera. It was amazing to watch. They floated for several minutes right in front of us.

Dennis went on belay, unanchored, and led up the 2nd pitch. I belayed. It was an interesting belay from a seated position on the ledge. After the first few moves I lost visual contact and communication became key. I like to belay a lead climber.

I also enjoy the rope management. As each person had arrived at the ledge their rope arrived and had to be anchored. Once Dennis was on the next ledge, anchored and off belay, he set up to belay the next climber. We were all still binered into ropes so we had to off climb in the same order. I prepared everyones rope being sure it was not underneath any other ropes. Then I fed out the rope as they climbed being sure there were no tangles. Peggy started her climb and I was left alone on the ledge. After Peggy's rope was clean I prepared my rope while I waited to be belayed. The remainder of my time on the ledge was spent taking in the panaramic view, watching the birds ride the thermals and feeling the breeze dash around the corner of the ridge. I tried to concentrate on it all so I could take the memory of it with me.

As you hike up through the woods you come to lunch ledge We hiked by and climbed down a very steep trail and back around to our daypacks at the base of The Cave. From there we continued along the base trail counterclockwise around Table Rock to the North Ridge route.

THE CAVE: 5.5

2004: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

NORTH RIDGE: 5.5

Once he reached the ledge he anchored to the set of rings present at the ledge and, once secure,went off belay and they set up a transition stage on the ledge.

Above: Peggy, the climber, is at the mouth of the cave. Below is a view of the cave looking down from the 1st pitch ledge. You can see the staging area for the belayer at the base.

The top of the 2nd pitch of the Cave was covered in a thick grove of mountain laurels . It made a perfect spot to lay back in the shade and catch views south of the mountain.
Dennis was just below the top of the Cave's second pitch where he had a belay station set up. There are beautiful views in many directions. You must remember to take a look at the scenery as you climb up.

Peggy's son, , at right rested at the far left side of the ledge. I climbed to the ridge last. Love this route. I arrived and sat between Peggy & Dennis. Each person remained anchored while Dennis and I set up for his next lead.

This is a view from the Cave route's 1st pitch ledge looking east. A dark cloud just passed by but no rain. The weather comes from the west and a storm caught us here last year when it came over the mountain.

Dennis led the climb. When he got to the ledge he anchored, went off belay, and set up a belay for the next climber. The two scouts followed. Each one was anchored as they reached the ledge and then taken off belay so that Dennis could set up the belay for the next climber. Peggy was next and got this wonderful seat tucked in the ridgeline. Joe, who had not been feeling well, decided he would hike back.

Joe belayed Dennis as he began the route. The first pitch of North Ridge had some interesting moves that required some strategy, especially with a day pack. It made things interesting. While North Ridge is only a 5.5, the view straight to the gorge, the wind, and the jut of the ridge all gave it a heady appeal. Especially the first time you climb it.

I usually stop and shoot a picture by holding my camera at arms length.

Joe, anchored to bolts, lays back to belay the lead from on the edge of the ledge.