DSC03276 Photo courtesy Bill Bushnell

Mammoth Trip, 2026

September 11

Climbing

Stella flashes the first route, a 5.7.

I was really impressed with both Stella and Bill during this session! On the first two routes, Bill volunteered to climb first, and Stella second.

Bill started the route on easier terrain further to the left, utilizing a crack or chimney until he was about halfway up, but then he was far off-route and risked a large pendulum if he came off. So he made his way slowly across the face and up, until his fingers fatigued about 2/3 of the way to the top. After a rest, he got back on and reached the anchor.

Stella also started at the left edge, but then moved onto the face, and flashed the route easily.

I began centrally on the route as Jo had done, and moved fairly quickly straight up the face. As a new route, there was no chalk to mark holds, and it was not that easy to find hands or feet, which were often small crystals or thin edges. But, this is slab, so it's enough. Somewhere in the upper half I moved towards a crack on the right side, thinking to use it as a lie-back. But the face there was devoid of holds so I could not advance. I tried to back-track, but like Bill, I felt my fingers fade and I dropped off to rest. Back on, I finished the route.

Jo and Cara volunteered that they thought the route was harder than the 5.8 we were about to climb next. In the gym, I would have called this a 5.10c.

-F.

Climbing outside is scarier but more rewarding. I was very nervous, afraid that I might not even be able to get started. Once I was on, the climb focused my attention completely on the rock, my moves, my body position. I was almost surprised to reach the top. Really exciting. -S.