Well, if you don't use the tree then it's definitely a short person's route. Of course, Mitch might clearly be a better climber than me, too.

Ummm, we both "used" the tree, that is, we clipped into the tree and traversed underneath and out to the right. Stuck in a piece of pro during the traverse and reached over the lip.

I don't know...I just thought the climb was really really fun, with a great set of roofs. Once over the roof it was "happy" climbing all the way to the ledge.

Now I am looking for more of the same...any suggestions?

I've got a new TR up - Bonnie's and Birdland; the pump that keeps on giving

I'm hoping the next post will appear soon, but it won't be on my blog. I'll send that link around when I get to it.

I'm also hearing rumors of another TR, regarding a meth lab, coming soon. Can't wait for that.

Some kind of tease I'm sure...

Its over three pages on Word. I'm thinking of breaking it into 3 sections here. I'll try to post it up 1st thing Wed.

Aaah for what its worth... Fun for me and my wife but run of the mill for everyone else I guess.
We weekend warriored it at the usual crag. 2 hour drive and its raining all the way until we get there and magically the rain has gone.
I've got my eye on a project that I solo top roped after quite a few trys over 1 year of trying to lead it and failing to get past the 1st bolt.
My best lead is 5.10d max and this was a 5.8 that seemed like a 5.10 that has spanked many a hopeful. Top roped it again cos I had thought of a slightly different way near the top that would be easier. As it was, imagination had tricked me again and the only way thru the top was across a very thin face, well above the last bolt, onto good holds then mantle for glory.
The crux is at the first bolt tho with a deadpoint reach to a 2 finger pinch on a slight overhang.
I couldn't believe how scared I was on the thin face on moves I knew would go and had practised. Fighting my way thru it, elvis leg going, head cluttered with fear, I battled on...and that was still on top rope. No way could I lead it.
Anyway, sitting there I decided I had to try and lead it. So up.. bang.. crux move held then its up thru a bit of smearing and onto the thin face which was a piece of cake, finishing the mantle and wondering what the fuss was all about.
By then the rain came and it was hometime...Well, tent time anyway. We put up our super deluxe tent , etc for a comfortable tho cold night.

Next day back to the same spot. Full sun and the only place out of the howling wind made it perfect..And nobody else there..on a sunday..
This 5.8 that had grown to almost nightmarish proportion was now my warmup, so did that and showed my wife how to set up for solo toproping, and left her to it, wandering around the crag looking at other projects.
Sure enough she loved the soloing and evey now and then I'd check on her and she'll be talking away to herself, workin out moves, etc.
After that top roped a 5.11a and then it was onto a 5.10d to lead that I hadn't got past the 1st bolt of( yes there are quite a few like that in my resume). Super steep start on ok holds up to a not so good pocket, get feet up onto big pan and the rest is a stroll. Miss the pan, you end up a foot off the deck.
So started off as usual on that route....Hanging off the first bolt. . Then thought well we're here better have a go and went for it...grabbing at anything resembling a hold and just made it with an out of balance desperate grab for the what was luckily the best hold on the route. Was so looking gone I felt the rope tighten slightly as my wife thought I had actually fallen.
So not wanting to spoil the mood we cruised knowing going to send it next time. Not many climbs but great fun.

And yet another post, except this one is in a different location.

Climbing.com Reader Blogs

PS - I rail on Rumney a little bit in this post.

Thanks Gmburns, the blog is quite fun to read! I was thinking of starting one myself, really to keep friends and family in the loop once I hit the road for a few months of climbing. So reading other's stories gives me an idea on how to approach it.

Oops, only the bio is up at the moment. The post should be up soon.

hey, good luck with it. if you make it a public blog, then let me know and i'll follow along. also, if you have any questions, then let me know. i may be able to help a little bit.

A page per post. Gotta do the series thing. BTW - I just saw The Hangover, and this TR sounds like it'll be on par.

The guys head off to another area, and we want to finish up our climb and pack up for heading home. Jake, Mark, and Barb all get another run up the rope. Mark and Barb only going 10 feet up, but Jake does the full 40 feet. I swing the rope to the left, clip Barb into the belay anchor, and climb another easy climb. Probably 5.6/7 entrance move, with another 5.5/6 move ½ way up. Clean the anchor, rap off, pack up the gear, and we head to town for lunch.

Its getting a little late. We had said we would climb until noon, and its now 2:30. The kids have been chowing down in the car on granola bars and PB&J as we cleaned up the gear. But I’m hungry, so we drive through McD’s for a couple of burgers and chicken nuggets, get back to the trailer and start hitching up right away. Jake helps crank up the jacks, I hook her up, and Barb breaks everything down for heading out. One stop in town for gas and ice and we’re on our way.

Only problem is its 4:30 and it’s 5 hours of driving. Plus there’s got to be a dinner and potty break in the middle. And the quick food stops never are. Plus we’re bucking a stiff head wind. Normally, that shouldn’t slow me down too much, but its added a fair amount of drag on the trailer, so we aren’t making great time. We make Adelanto, with out too many issues. Except for that Ground Squirrel that ran out in front of me, got half way across the road clean, but then doubled back in front of me. I don’t think he made it. Also a couple short step hills made me wonder what was going on, as the Suburban felt completely gutless. In addition to the weight of the trailer and the head wind, apparently the AC sucks up the last of the horsepower.

As we sat in Del Taco in Adelanto, eating and resting, it seemed like a million firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances screamed by. We wondered what was happening, but we needn't wonder, we would find out soon enough. As we rolled out of the shopping center we could see lights flashing ahead. But traffic wasn’t backed up, so we kept rolling. As we got closer we saw what all the excitement was about, a house was absolutely engulfed in flames. Unfortunately, they had blocked off the road and turned us onto a side street. We tried to make our way around, but kept getting dead ended. Driving through a random neighborhood we asked a gentleman how to get to the 395 on the south side of the fire. He offered an easier solution, a cut across east to the 15 south that avoided the whole mess. As we had been trying to fight our way around the fire for over 20 minutes, we jumped on that. Two hours later, almost midnight, we were home, and in bed.

A crazy last minute, two long days climbing trip. But everyone had a good time.

Heh. That's a good lesson on how to teach the kids that meth labs in the house are BAD!

Still, sounds like you had a nice time, got a lot of climbs in, and still managed to let the kids have a good time. Does the Donny get mad at 2am when the trailer doesn't park correctly, or is he a "fuck it," kind of guy?

It's also good that you've got friends who are willing to climb with you and your family.