All Smiles, Great Company, Few More Days Left

A lot has happened since my last post.  First, I have found out how much endurance I do not have.  Second, I figured out how to battle through some of the infamous Red River Gorge pump!  My second day climbing, I put some solid effort on a climb I have tried a year ago, called Dirty Smelly Hippy.  The climb weighs in the soft side of 5.13b.  I was able to pull through the higher crux with a solid knee bar, using a borrowed kneepad.  This was my first kneepad experience and a glorious one at that!  A kneepad will be purchased in the future. 

After two days of climbing the crew decided to climb three days on.  With a very early start we made it out to the Solarium in Muir Valley and after hanging the draws on Banshee, 5.11c, I decided a rest day was in order.  I ended up resting two days in a row.   

During our rest day Zach and Nicole competed in a friendly food competition.  The rules were simple both would make a delectable bowl of guacamole and the rest of us were the judges.

 The Competitors

To be fair ... Blind taste test

The right dish was the victor!  Both delicious!

Tuesday, fully rested some climbing was in order, so I rekindled a fire that I once sat very close to.  This “fire” is the climb Convicted.  Convicted and I have quite a history together, which involves me falling at the last bolt of the climb … multiple times … over ten times.  While climbing I found I remembered the moves very well and hung draws quite easily.  Then I proceeded to fall near the top on four attempts.  Earlier in the day I also gave Snooker two runs, both climbs being 5.13a.  With a total of eight pitches during the day, I planned on returning the next day. 

I thought a lot about Convicted at night.  My biggest concern was that I was not reaching the high point I had two or three years ago.  I was really wondering if I had enough fitness to finish the climb. 

After a difficult warm up and an inspiring belay, Pablo sending Snooker first try of the day, I got on Convicted.  Feeling better than Tuesday I cruised past my most recent high point, I locked into place and took a heartbreaking fall off the redpoint crux.  After resting for 30 minutes I tied back in and in a very smooth fashion, I styled the climb.  The most satisfying send this trip!

After our early sends Pablo and I headed over to Drive-By and while I was in a no hands rest I got a phone call.  The call was from Moosejaw and I have an interview on Friday.  Super psyched for the next few days!  Hopefully, after the interview I will be able to return to the RRG on Friday, with Julia, and finish some unfinished business!  :D