Grand Ledge

Here in Michigan's Lower Peninsula we have a limited supply of rock.  So limited, the first time I visited Grand Ledge I had already climbed in Kentucky, Alabama and maybe even my first National climbing competition.  Needless to say everyone had told me how awful, terrible, chossy, waste of time it was, to even check out.

Across the railroad tracks

My first visit was with my dad.  We had brought our top rope gear and went to it on routes like Doug's Roof and Despondency.  I remember thinking about all the negativity and wondering why this place was so bad.  In fact, I told my father how much fun I had, not everyday I can climb outside.  Looking back I had a great attitude.  8 years later ...  A few friends and I packed up the truck and decided to go back and enjoy a day of outdoor bouldering.

Eight crash-pads in total

I have not climbed outdoors in more than a year so I was excited.  It took a while to get warmed up, make due with very wet conditions and a few eliminate boulder problems later we started getting after the problems we came for.  Mike Sabatini had caught some footage of some epic fails, good sends and a bunch of heckling!  I'm hoping that goes up soon and I will share it with you when it does.

Overall, it was a good day.