Sunday, June 24

Yesterday was great.  It was Riley's last day before going on course for a week so we had ourselves a fun day.  We started off in Vedauwoo proper at the "Clamshell" (also known as part of the "Fall Wall" for those of you who are going to look it up later... dad).  I would like to put it on record that there should be a climbing rating on the hike/climb up to the Clamshell.  I didn't think I was going to make it.  You have to go under a massive rock, then shimmy up and across some other rocks where Riley had to grab me by both hands, ignore my whimpering, and pull me up.  And that was all BEFORE the actual climb.  It also just so happened that one of our 40/40 groups was also up there that morning so we were in good company (and they were kindly non-judgmental about my less-than-courageous entrance).  Riley led up two routes for me (meaning that the rock had bolts on the routes already and he attached the rope to the bolts using caribeeners on his way up) and then I climbed them.  They were both friction climbs, meaning there were no spectacular holds, just bumps no bigger than ant hills (and most were smaller) that you had to trust your shoe to stick to.  The first was (sadly) a 5.5, and the second a 5.7.  Riley and I both climbed these routes but somehow he did not get photographed doing so.

This is me in my first friction climb.  Look at the wall, see any places to hold onto?  Me neither.

This is Riley belaying me on the second friction climb.  It was harder than the first but I felt more legit when I made it.

This is the "Fall Wall".  You can see the Clamshell in the middle with the lines that make it look clammy.  We walked under it, then scrambled up some rocks to get on top of it.  The two climbs we did are in the middle verticle section above the Clamshell.

The next place we went was a place called the "Beehive" at Brown's Landing.  These two areas that we climbed had bolted routes so we could climb them without extra "trad" gear.  I did an encore performance of the route I did when Riley was gone, though this time I did it in a fraction of the time it took me last time and without the help of someone else lifting me by my harness :).  Then we did a second route which was rated a 5.7.  It was challenging but fun and I got up without too many long pauses and only one slip.  Riley kicked butt on all the climbs he did and never fell (which is good because when you are lead climbing you fall down to the last bolt you clipped into which can sometimes be quite a little trip). 

This is Riley on the 2nd climb at the Beehive.  I chose the zoomed-out version so you could get an idea of how high he was.  I topped this one too.

Riley rapelling.  I caught him in mid-air!  I don't rapel quite like that.  There are usually white knuckles and small steps involved.

After the climbing we drove out to the Snowy Range for a short walk and some fresh air.  So beautiful!

Snowies over mountain lake.

There is a cute little path around part of this stream complete with a picturesque bridge.

Riley at the same stream.

Riley is now off on a seven day trip with six students.  Wish him luck!

-Ang and Riley