24 HHH

This year Ben Griffin and I amazingly got into 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell.  The event has gained a lot of attention over the years and is increasingly difficult to get into. 

In addition to the two of us, Amanda and Katy came to heckle us and climb before and after the competition.

Although our "strategy" of trying to climb the good looking lines didn't really pan out with a win.  We did at least get enough points that we can preregister for 24HHH next year.  Having never been to the area before, I'm pretty happy with how smoothly things went.  With all the energy from the other climbers around getting through the night climbing portion was definitely easier that anticipated.

Before registering for 2018 though, I'll first have to forget how much the skin on my hands hurt near the end and after the event.

Fontainebleau

Notre Dame

Amanda and I were fortunate enough to be able to take a trip to Paris and Fontainebleau this fall.  I've always heard that Paris is the most beautiful city in the world and I never really believed it until I saw it myself.  It truly is a gorgeous city!  In addition to Amanda and I we were traveling with some fun family, including Gordon, Jean, and Greg.  Amanda was our interpreter and planned/organized most of the trip which was a lot of hard work and definitely added to the experience. We spent the first few days in Paris, taking tours of museums, churches, opera houses; eating amazing food, and enjoying the city.  

Getting some help from the locals.

We rented a car in Paris and drove to Fontainebleau.  Amanda and I stuck to our tried and true method of driving in a foreign country.  Amanda drives and I navigate.  I expected driving in Paris to be crazy but with the help of google maps it went smoother than expected.

Short people climb.

It takes a few problems to get used to the rock, movement and friction.

Tall people reach.

Greg showing us how it's done.

The Font is a classic bouldering area for good reason.  We found so many amazing boulder problems and we barely scratched the surface of what is there.  The circuits are truly unique to the area, in addition to being very fun they are a great way to see the area. 

Sierras

Cardinal Pinnacle!

Amanda and I were able to get away this summer to the Sierras in the end of July.  Before our trip Amanda wasn't sold on the fact that climbing high sierra granite would be any fun.  For me though she was willing to give it a go. We started out with a jaunt up Cardinal Pinnacle.  A 4 pitch 5.10a just outside of Bishop.  Halfway up the first pitch she was hooting and hollering about how good the climbing was.  Enough so that I thought she was being sarcastic.  Fortunately she was actually having a great time and that stoke continued to the top of the climb!

Amanda on the 3rd pitch of Cardinal Pinnacle.

After the Cardinal Pinnacle warm up we decided to head up to Temple Crag and check out the classic Sun Ribbon Arete.  We hiked up in the afternoon after getting a permit and food shopping.  After a little searching we found a great camping spot near Third Lake.  We had initially thought we'd do the route car to car in a day but were glad we decided to take two in the end.

Amanda heading up to Sun Ribbon Arête.

California had a big snow year so we brought aluminum crampons and an axe for the snow.  We could definitely have gotten by without the crampons but the security of the axe was nice for the descent. 

On top of the Arête about to head down.

We should have known that the route would have more of alpine feel but we expected solid rock which we didn't find.  Although the route is in a beautiful setting the loose blocks and shenanigans required on the route taint the route in my opinion.  On the hike out we saw 5 scorpions on the trail!  I was glad to be wearing close toed shoes.

Geoff and I on top of North Dome.

Next up was meeting up with a longtime friend Geoff Settles.  Amanda and I met Geoff at the New Campus climbing wall in Traverse City Michigan around 1997.  We used to take trips to the Red River Gorge when we were in high school.  Fortunately we've kept in touch with Geoff since moving to Colorado.  Geoff and I had a plan to climb 50 pitches to commemorate his 50th birthday.  We ended up climbing Royal Arches and Crest Jewel Direct into the South Face on North Dome.  Totaling 30ish pitches.  We decided not to continue with our initial plan after baking in the sun all day. Luckily for Geoff and I, Amanda and Jesse were nice enough to hike to the top of North Dome and bring us food and water.  

At the road after Royal Aches, North Dome.

After two rest days Amanda was wanting to get back on the rock and we decided to take it easy and go sport climbing at an area called Clark Canyon near Mammoth.  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and we had to bail after a few routes due to rain.

At the base of Cathedral Peak.

The last objective for our trip was Cathedral Peak.  Although the Peak was packed with people we had a great time.  There are so many route options that we were able to weave back and forth to pass parties.  All in all it was a great trip with an amazing partner in crime!

On top of Cathedral Peak.