James on "The Fugitive", a rarely climbed sport route in the "Taller trad area". Photo by Goober.

A few faces of Sauratown Mtn. right as the sunset light hit them

I couldn't decide which photo to post. This is Sam on the second pitch of Kish Dish

I couldn't decide which photo to post. This is Sam on the second pitch of Kish Dish

I couldn't decide which photo to post. This is Sam on the second pitch of Kish Dish

I couldn't decide which photo to post. This is Sam on the second pitch of Kish Dish

David on an unknown route to the right of Kish Dish. Photo by Cliffhanger2040

David on an unknown route to the right of Kish Dish. Photo by Cliffhanger2040

David on an unknown route to the right of Kish Dish. Photo by Cliffhanger2040

Buddy Brazenton on the seldom climbed second pitch of Kish Dish. Photo by j_ung.

Tighter shot of Phil Hoffman enjoying Chapel Hill Arete in the middle of December at Sauratown, NC. Photo by j_ung.

Gary Brown, laid back and relaxing on Liesure World, .10a/b. Photo by j_ung

North Carolina local, Buddy Brazenton sets out on the stellar, yet seldom climbed, second pitch of Kish Dish. Photo by j_ung.

Phil Hoffman plays in the sun on the Chapel Hill Arete. This is December in NC!

This nice route is the last one on the short sport route. Not sure of the name. Any help? Photo by cliffhanger2040

Me at the crux on shock the monkey!!!

This is me working one of the trailside problems along the Sauratown trail near Moore's wall. One of two problems I sent that day, although this one took a bit of working. I could do the start and the finish, but it took a few tries to put it together.

This is me working one of the trailside problems along the Sauratown trail. I'm not sure if its really a problem, it was a super-overhanging boulder just to the left of Euro Wall. This is my project, for now at least.

This is me working one of the trailside problems along the Sauratown trail. I'm not sure if its really a problem, it was a super-overhanging boulder just to the left of Euro Wall. Trying a different approach. This is my project, for now at least.

This is me working one of the trailside problems along the Sauratown trail. I'm not sure if its really a problem, it was a super-overhanging boulder just to the left of Euro Wall. One last try! I never got this problem, but I will.

Emil getting ready to pull the big roof on Shock the Monkey (5.10c) at Sauratown Mountain, NC. Photo courtesy of Rich Dlesk.

We had just finished our last climb for the day on Old Man's Sport Climb (my first lead!) and were headed down the mountain when I saw this beautiful view. The sun was low in the sky and it illuminated the upper parts of the rock with a brilliant yellow. I couldn't resist pulling out the camera for this shot.....

The hard part on shock the monkey

crux

Me, climbing at Sauratown... on what could have been the most perfect day of the year