Ascent Notes for: Block Route - 5.8 popular Average Rating : 3.95/5

took the kids out and we had fun. First pitch: to tree. Decent pro down low with sideways medium stoppers, then small cams to tree.

only dry one this morning

Easy way up when others were wet

First lead of 2012!

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Easy way to tree ledge

had a ton of pine needles on the lower section making it fun first thing in the morning but still a good route.

Its not that I like this route any better than the others, I just like to use it when climbing with beginners due to its easy climbing. I set a toprope at the belay anchors mid-route and climbed with my father for the first time. I climbed beside him, ropeless, while one of my friends belayed. Although he declined to climb the rest of the way, I went ahead and roped up and finished the route so he could see the block move. I did belay two additional climbers to the top while my father took photos. I also tested another pair of shoes, the Climb X Rockmaster sold by Climb Axe. While they are bargain priced, they actually fit very well and climbed nearly as well as my Five Tens.

I climbed this route today simply to try a new pair of Evolv Demorto shoes that I just purchased. I usually wear 12 street shoes and usually also get 12 in climbing shoes. I purchased a pair of Evolv Docon shoes (I used these on my last ascent) in 11.5 very recently that fit better than any shoe I own and assumed the Demorto would be the same. I was wrong, the fit is considerably tighter. There is a solid 1/2" or better difference in the length of the two pairs of shoes. Even though they were uncomfortable, I wore them anyway. I am still not impressed with the Trax rubber and just did not get the grip like I do with other brands. I will be saving them for non-slab climbs. As usual, this climb is a breeze.