Photos by epic_ed

June of '04. Erica and Pierre were familiar faces to all who spent the summer in Camp 4 and around Yosemite Valley. Good people, fun times, and some great accomplishments for both of them. This is a shot of their mini base camp before sending Zodiac in a day in late June. I spent some time with them at the base that night and shared a few meals with them in Camp 4. Erica may look like she's hamming it up a little, but honestly, the ear-to-ear grin on her face is nearly permanent. Her joy for climbing and sucking the marrow out of life is very contageous.

Posting these because Erica has been missing in Pakistan for nearly a week (7/15/05). I was fortunate to meet her and Pierre in Yosemite in June of '04 and, like others have commented, that was a memorable summer for the duo. Realm of the Flying Monkeys, Zodiac in a day, and many others that I've heard about. Erica has an unforgettable smile and her laughter is contageous. I hope we'll all get to see her again soon, and share many more moments of carefree, unbridled joy...the way she always seemed to be no matter the circumstances.

Kaitlyn's first time at the gym. She didn't like it nearly as much as going ourdoors -- thank God. Here, she shows how [i]easy[/i] it can be. Notice...the 4 y/old doesn't even bother to put on the climbing shoes and easily cranks the V4 sit-start dyno in her sandals. Bunch of damn chuffers that put up those routes...

Kaityln, my step daughter, roping up for her first climb ever at Time Zone Wall. With the enthusiasm she had, no doubt there will be others.

Not sure what kind of shizzle BobD is trowling out to Art, but I'm sure it was a good story. Pheenixx is also pictured in the background -- seemingly unfazed by the amount of mindless blather going on around her.

Saturday nights bon fire brought out all the creatins. Including none other than the "Verm", himself. Geoff (climbingcowboy) and his wife Robin are also willing participants in this mug shot.

AS I was nearing the top of P2 on Zodiac, a couple of guys were rappeling the route after trying to free a few pitches higher up. Turns out it was Rob Miller and Chris Van Leuven who had been trying to free the nipple pitch. Chris snapped this picture while I was waiting just a couple of moves below the anchor. Thanks for the photo, Chris!

Finally got up to the Grand Canyon with my fiance, the mother-in-law-to-be, and my step-daughter. It's pretty cool when the non-stop ramblings of a 4 y/o come to a screeching halt and are reduce to a single word. "Wow."

The '95 4Runner has been as much a part of my "epic" lore as my climbing adventures. I've only had an emotional attachment to two vehicles in my life -- both Toyotas. This ride is my safety blanket while traveling and suits my needs better than any other vehicle possibly could. I'll keep sinking money into her until the wife cuts me off (money or nookie). I took this photo on the bridge over the Merced right next to El Cap Meadow.

The dog hears the clanging of gear and rustling of haul bags, and immediately comes running down the hall. "Where are we off to this time?" she seems to be asking in her expression. Willing and ready to go anywhere I'm headed, her mind has long out-willed her aging body's ability to tag along on most adventures. But, boy have we seen many good days on the trail, at the crag, and in the back country over the years. She's my favorite belay anchor and guardian of my lunch.

I think I needed an extra cup of coffee when this was taken. I led P1 of Organasm and Jeff knocked off P2 as Ken took this photo. Nothing like a team of three knocking of a four pitch aid route. The roof pitch is excellent practice to test your roof leading/cleaning skills. Be sure to bring plenty of #2's and don't tackle that roof without having an idea of how to clean it. It's not nice to take a gumby aid climber up there and have him/her try to figure it out on the fly...pardon that pun.

Bivied at the top of P2 the first night on the wall. I don't recommend it. The ledge won't sit flush against the wall since there's a small dihedral just below and left of the anchors. Plus, you're gonna get soaked if it rains.

Was playing around with camera settings one morning from inside the portaledge and snapped a few macros. This one turned out OK.

Getting ready to sort and pack the pigs before heading up the fixed lines. Can I get a Metolius sponsorship?

Eh -- this one turned out better than most. Same big lunk o' granite that has been posted hundreds of times, but from a little different perspective. Plus, can ya really get enough of the Cap'n?

Just so TedC doesn't feel lonely...some of us have size AND quantity. ;-)

Self-portrait from the top of P1, Moonlight Buttress. I took some serious shots, but none of them turned out worth a damn. Ah, well...goofy poses are my specialty anyway.

Getting in touch with my artsy side by getting this photo of the stuff slung into the back of the Epic Mobile.

I finally finished this practice aid route. It's nothing to brag about, but it does offer a place for the beginning aid climber to go to work out the systems. Total route height is only about 45', but I broke it into two pitches, each anchor with three well-space 3/8" bolts to mimmic a big wall belay. Bring the haul bag and portaledge and figure it all out here. You'll only need rivet hangers for pro, and the top anchor has a chain/rappel ring to get you back to the ground quickly. My rope is hanging from the first belay anchor and the route starts out down and to the left of it (hidden by bush). Second pitch tops out up and right of the rope, at the area in the sun just below the lip of the formation.

Several RC.com dudes and dudettes came by the booth at the PBB while I was holding down the fort. I caught the back of John's head (fastestgun), the tip of Erica's A5 hat, way too much of Hillary's mug, at Curt looks pissed that I interrupted his quality time with a fresh Fat Tire. Tough crowd. ;-)

Slackline Bros. had a couple of lines set up at the PBB again this year. Snapped a few random candids. No idea who the dude is.

Slackline Bros. had a couple of lines set up at the PBB again this year. Snapped a few random candids and this is one that turned out well.

The ultimate weekend warrior, road trip, climbing mobile. If you see this ride at the crag, you know I'm sure to be around somewhere. Find me and say hi.

The little monster was a constant source of entertainment during the weekend, and Kristen insisted that she could make Fury "sing". Sounded like a shrill howl to me.... ;-)

Matt snapped this shot of me as I was hiking over to Zodiac to jug back to my high point.

Meg pulling through the crux roof on this 11a on Thin Wall. JTree gathering 1/04.

Meg looking funny trying to get back on an 11a on Thin Wall. JTree gathering 1/04.

Schizophrenic dog. One minute she's looking this cuddly and cute, and the next... "LET ME CHEW ON YOUR LEG!!! I'LL GET YOU!!! COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, OR I'LL CHEW YOUR OTHER LEG!!!!"

Yep, she'll take a Scooby snack from you while wagging her tail, and bite your leg when you turn around to leave. That dog needs some therapy.

Matt (PranaGuy) leading Pinched Rib, a 10b trad route with a couple of bolts on the faced. The route pretty much just has a two move crux, but it was a lot of fun.

I know, I know...hard to believe someone actually got a photo of me leading something since it happens so rarely. Meg snapped this one of me leading Toe Jam. What did it take -- two hours for me to lead that? Thanks to Kristen for a patient belay. ;-)

Snapped this candid of Meg (Roseraie) and Kristen (Maculated) as I was racking up for Toe Jam. Perfect weather, and excellent climbing partners make for a great weekend. Thanks, ladies. Spending time with the two of you was certainly one of the highlights of my weekend.

Not sure what happened to the first one I had posted, but anyway...Hillary snapped this candid at Jack's Canyon (summer '03) while I was enjoying a very nice Hoya De Monterrey. Nice smoke.

No idea what this route is, but it's one gully over from Strawberry Razzle Tea. Jeff (climbing) tried to lead this, but Alex finished it off. Pumpy through the crux.

Another pic of Alex on a route in Lower Looner Land -- is this Moonfloss? Anyway...nice lead.

Alex leading a 5.9 in Lower Looner Land -- Mine Area. Nice climb, a little pumpy in the middle, and easier at the top.

After three days of following us around the crags, the best my pooch can do is flop down and watch from a distance.

Hillary leading a chossy trad route. Guess that's what you get for trying to find a trad route in a sport crag.

Ed trying to get some lead confidence back. Nice, grippy granite at JTree is as good as it gets. This was a 5.6 on the west side of Trash Can Rock.