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nd2boostt
Aug 22, 2005, 3:19 PM
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Registered: Sep 21, 2004
Posts: 244
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Went to the Wichita Mountains in OK for some trad climbing on Saturday. I didn't lead anything, but cleaned some routes and got to place a few pieces of pro. I basically followed, cleaning and replacing a couple of pieces, then another leader followed me and pinkpointed the routes. That way he could kinda check what I placed. So here's the story...
5:00am: We're on our way!
8:00am: Stop for essentials
http://stephandjerry.com/sammich.JPG
(we were trad climbing, after all)
8:30am: Saw some buffalo
http://stephandjerry.com/tatonkas.JPG
9:00am: Enter the park
http://stephandjerry.com/approach.JPG
9:30am: Arrive at Zoo Wall, climb The Dihedral and Crazy Alice
http://stephandjerry.com/dihedralsteph4.JPG
10:00am: A bunch of other people show up and try to hijack our climb...but we don't let them!
Later that day...: Head to Lichen Wall, climb Ker Plunk and Old #7
My favorite pic :)
http://stephandjerry.com/stepholdnumber7.jpg
Got to try a little bit of slabby stuff
http://stephandjerry.com/stephkerrplunk.jpg
5:30p: Get lost trying to get out of the park. I bust my ass on a slippery rock...no harm done thanks to excess gluteal padding.
7:30pm: Stop for more essentials
http://stephandjerry.com/burgerking.JPG
11:00pm: Get back to Dallas!
I had such a great time...learned alot! I really look forward to learning more about trad and maybe leading some routes soon! I had a slight panic attack at the top of the first "pitch" of Old #7...started to wonder if I was going to die. I also kind of soloed the second "pitch" of Ker Plunk...there's a weird little scramble over to the top anchor. I think it's like a 5.2-5.3...but since I was already 80 or so feet in the air, I got a little spooked!
The more I go out on climbing trips, the more I realize that the experience isn't just about the climbing. It's about the car trip...all the talking and laughing that goes on...the ridiculous hiking...the getting lost and wondering if you're going to ever get back to the car...
I love each time I can get outside. I wish there were more places to climb outdoors closer to Dallas!
I've got more pics up at http://stephandjerry.com/Stephanie/wichitas.html.
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dirtineye
Aug 22, 2005, 3:22 PM
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Registered: Mar 29, 2003
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Congratulations!
Beats hell out of the gym, don't it?
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nd2boostt
Aug 22, 2005, 3:49 PM
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Registered: Sep 21, 2004
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Absolutely!
But the gym is a hell of a lot closer and more convenient most of the time! I should take pictures of how freakin FLAT Dallas is. It's enough to make some of you cry!
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kimmyt
Aug 22, 2005, 4:23 PM
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Registered: Sep 10, 2003
Posts: 4546
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I visited Dallas once, and I remember very distinctly the urge to cry.
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onbelay_osu
Aug 22, 2005, 4:37 PM
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Registered: May 5, 2002
Posts: 1087
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next time you will have to get out of the over populated areas and check out the witchita's for what they really are....go to like wintergarden wall, crab eyes, moon rock, refuse wall....those are where the good climbs are.
G
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mrtristan
Aug 22, 2005, 4:50 PM
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Registered: Jun 21, 2002
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I used to live in Plano, near Dallas. Ugh. Definitely not the place for climbers. I did make it up to the Wichitas once and it was sweeeeet!
-Tristan
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shakylegs
Aug 22, 2005, 5:20 PM
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Registered: Aug 20, 2001
Posts: 4774
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When I think of Dallas, I think of one the opening scens from "Thin Blue Line." And I get scared.
Regardless, looks like you had a good time. Nice pix.
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berkly
Aug 22, 2005, 5:45 PM
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Registered: Dec 29, 2003
Posts: 189
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No wonder you guys have such a good time in the car, youre freakin baked. Just look at the guy in the white shirt.
http://stephandjerry.com/burgerking.JPG
Glad you enjoyed the wichitas. Theres more to it than just the narrows.
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alex234
Aug 22, 2005, 9:13 PM
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Registered: May 19, 2004
Posts: 89
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would definately agree.... its the whole trip experience not just the climbing that makes for the best of times. congrats on the trad experience. keep on following and placing gear and youll be leading in no time.
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