The next day it was time to climb the Wedge! I was a bit nervous but never the less we disembarked from the parking lot on the three plus mile hike to the base of the buttress. Our goal was to climb the Southwest Face.
Finally we got to where we could see the Wedge itself. That was when I really started to think about the climb, I had never been to the area before so I didn't really know what it would be like.
Maybe it won't be so bad.
Here I am following the second pitch, the third pitch goes up through the black crack which is a bit of a slab and a chimney, it was great. I didn't think that the exposure could possibly be taken away after three pitches but it was once inside the chimney, the end of the climb was the best part!
I'm in the orange helmet, Mark has the blue jacket. Luke and Bailey took the Mutt and Jeff to the left. We planned on meeting up on top and descending together.
We finally made it to the top! We had agreed to rappel together since Mark and I had the twin seventy meter ropes while Luke and Bailey only had a single sixty meter rope. After sitting for a long time on top of the dome and getting our chill on we decided to do the first rappel and proceeded to shiver half way up the backside of the Wedge. Eventually we decided that the ground might be the best place for us after all, why not go down there?
It felt great to finally climb the Wedge, I got way outside my comfort zone and realized that I could climb a bit higher than I thought.
Let it be known that Mark did a 5.4/5.5 free solo to liberate the end of the rope while we where half way up the descent preparing for the second rappel. When it's time to get down, it's time to get down.
The hike up there is pretty cool, a lot of climbing is visible on the way.
Always go with friends.
Finally we got to where we could see the Wedge itself. That was when I really started to think about the climb, I had never been to the area before so I didn't really know what it would be like.
Was it frightening? At times, yes.
Mark, myself, Terra, Luke, and Bailey all hiked out together, Mark and I teamed up to climb the Southwest face and Luke and Bailey climbed the Mutt and Jeff. The weather was great for the hike out but it got a bit cold and windy while we where on the routes.
Maybe it won't be so bad.
It lurks in the woods.
Terra stayed at the bottom and quarterbacked the support team. She took pictures and kept Manfred company. She displayed fortitude and extreme patience in the field, it took three hours to climb and descend.
Here I am following the first pitch.
Here I am following the second pitch, the third pitch goes up through the black crack which is a bit of a slab and a chimney, it was great. I didn't think that the exposure could possibly be taken away after three pitches but it was once inside the chimney, the end of the climb was the best part!
Just as we started to pull the long twins, we heard Luke screaming at us. We where relieved to know they were off the climb and we explained to them that the whole thing was just a big misunderstanding. Sorry guys!
We were that high off the ground?! Yikes!
I was so happy when the climb was over, it felt great.
Then the sun came out again and lit up the stone.
It felt great to finally climb the Wedge, I got way outside my comfort zone and realized that I could climb a bit higher than I thought.
Let it be known that Mark did a 5.4/5.5 free solo to liberate the end of the rope while we where half way up the descent preparing for the second rappel. When it's time to get down, it's time to get down.
The Southwest Face route goes to the right of the "eye lid" feature in the middle of the Wedge and The Mutt and Jeff goes to the left.
Time to return to camp with the satisfaction of a job well done. I can't wait to go back and climb more routes in the Hum Bug Spires.
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