GH018591

Mammoth Trip, 2022

September 29

TJ Swan Crags Rock Climb
Anchor Building and Lead Class



I tie in to that rope, and Stella belays. The metamorphic rock is smooth, slick, hard. The bottom of the route is pretty vertical, and I can't find grip smearing with my feet, while hands are hard to find and crimpy. What I find are side-pull ridges for the finger tips, and not generous by any means. It is frustrating!


I fall off of this three or four times, while Bill says to Stella, "If he can't do it, how are we supposed to even get started?" Meanwhile Jo has come down and watches, and offers beta (advice, method) as I hear when I watch the video, but I'm concentrating and don't even notice her. I could really have used some beta! Bill says something about aid climbing, and Jo hangs up a quickdraw that I could grab and says, "here's aid climbing", but I reject the offer. Finally, finally I somehow get over the bulge at the bottom and am on the more slabby part. But when I reach up, everything is smooth! Nothing to hold onto - except. Except, there is that crimpy fingertip sidepull ridge. But no. I know when to stop. I'm not going to destroy my fingers now, they already hurt!. I warn Stella I'm coming down, and let myself fall.


Meanwhle Jo has set up another top rope on the easier route next door, and I climb that instead. It takes a little figuring out, getting acquainted with this type of rock, but poses no real challenges. That feels better!