Let's start from the beginning, when the sun still shined and the temperatures drove us to shady parts of the canyon to avoid the heat...
We spent the day Monday in the upper part of the Estrellas canyon at the Club Mex Wall. It was the first day of trying 5.12s and it was a very enjoyable, exciting and strenuous day. We rubbed our fingertips raw on the technical, steep crimps of Fear of Flying 5.12a. While none of us sent the line, we all got to do some great climbing, as well as log some excellent flight time!
Rich on his first try at Fear of Flying...
overcoming that fear...
Nyssa trying to make the really small holds a bit more user-friendly with the sassy high step...
Peter enjoying the one almost good hold on the route...
only to then enjoy some flight time as well...
On Tuesday, we explored a new area to us, The Dihedrals. At this area you find features appropriate to the name, but certainly unexpected for Mexican limestone.
This corner is a classic at any destination and was strangely reminiscent of ADK crack climbing. Dead Man Walking with its secure jams and strenuous movement for 130 ft, made us think we had travelled back to the Beer Walls in Keene Valley...but then we remembered that we were clipping bolts...ruh-roh...
and then the temps dropped...
man, dog and plant all bundled up with as many layers as possible...
Yesterday, we took an exciting trip through the desert, really taking advantage of the superb Mexican infrastructure, to end up at an incredibly unlikely hot spring/spa. We washed away our sorrows in a beautiful, subterranean pool with vaulted ceilings as the temperatures outside hovered around 30 degrees.
check it out at http://www.termasdesanjoaquin.com.mx/
There was so much steam in the room, we really couldn't take our own pictures. But since the steaminess was so nice on such a cold day, we really couldn't complain...
Fear of Flying looks like fun. Looks like you weren't too afraid of flying though. Do you think it'll go down? We keep getting hit with storm after storm up here, but Puxatony Phil saw his shadow, so the end is near. On the plus side of things, I have a 9,000 ft route to look forward to with Andrew this Spring/Summer. Plans are being hatched.
ReplyDeleteNot so crazy about "flight time"! But glad you are all safe and sound and back on the ground. Hope the weather gods are kinder to you this coming week. We're still in full force winter with no end in sight. But today is a beautiful day with blue sky and sunshine. Snow predicted for tonight, but nothing major for us. The East coast is going to get it again possibly. Missing you around here. Stay safe. Sending hugs. Love, MOM
ReplyDeleteJust went to the hot springs site. Boy, when I used to go to the hot springs in Aspen, it wasa hole in the ground. This is very lux.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Mom Wilson on the Flying Place. I'm glad you're down!!! I've been trying not to think about it, but it creeps in to my head at night.
Have I said "Be very careful"? BE VERY CAREFUL!!