Red Rocks Trip, Day 3

Really, more like Day 1 since today was the first day of actual climbing.

Willow Springs Area

• Peaches, 5.7 — Decidedly tricky. Followed the thinning crack up (too far?) until I felt forced to escape on a blank traverse. Then cruiser to the top.
• Tonto, 5.5 — Mike’s second-ever trad lead. More wet than we would have liked, but fun and interesting climbing. He did awesome.
• Coronary Bypass, 5.5, 2 pitches — Spent an hour or so trying to get to the Mossy Ledges Crag from two different directions, only to find that without a guidebook or pictures from Mountain Project, we couldn’t be sure what we would be climbing. Ended up evaluating the wrong climb for almost an hour, then finally found what we thought might have been the actual route on our way down. Pictures later confirmed. Still a cool hike despite not getting on the route.
• Motorcycle Mama, 5.6 — Wanted to get in one more climb while we could. Heinous approach (we took the wrong path again) to an excellent climb. Felt super solid and flew up with only three pieces in 90 feet. Practiced a double-rope rappel on the way down with my new rap cord. Feeling ready for a big 7-pitch climb tomorrow.

Post Climb

Made it off the Scenic Drive just in time. Back at hotel and showered within an hour. Walked down the strip to a taco joint filled with people. Quite the ordering experience, but resulted in excellent food.

Stopped at Walgreens on the way back for snacks and beer. Saw a quick circus act when we got back to our hotel/casino, and spent the rest of the night showing Mike the Vision Pro and watching Dodgeball.

Good day.