Under the Eastern Sun..TR

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ladyscarlett

Trad climber

SF Bay Area, California

Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 23, 2013 - 05:18pm PT

The longest day of my summer (so far) began with me unusually high..

Where AM I?!!? If I knew which river was shining in the dawn below me, I’d know who I could wave to. Sunrise was a treat, though at 2am, was the earliest sunrise I’d seen in awhile...

3am saw me on the ground and on my way to my goal. My home range has limited modes of transport, so it was a treat to sit back on a train and enjoy the views.

I’ve climbed under that tower a while back,

but I was on a different track this time. I’d forgotten that 4am could be this sunny. I live in the land of bridges, but I’d never seen ones like these, I sure am far from home!

Two at once! Whoo hoo!

And the curves on this one...mmmmm

As the miles fall behind me and I sneak up on 6am, I start getting a glimpse of the shape of this lush green land..

But my goodness...where am I?! It’s another world out here...

And pow...I’m here, and still high... ;)

...with every intention of getting even higher! OMG...is THAT the way UP?!?!?

Sure is!! Time to buckle up, strap it on, hook it in, and head on up...

oh yes yes yes, stuff of dreams...Wait a minute...why are there TWO ROPES?

Oh yeah...it’s THAT dream, the one where I learn the real deal about climbing on doubles. It’s been years since I’d even thought of doubles, Sierra n00b that I am, but I’ve always loved to have my cherry popped and today, it’s 9am and I’m ready. Climb on good sir, I’m ready...so is the biggest belay gadget I’ve ever had in my hands. Whooo, that’s STEEP to my Western n00b eyes!

The views are still pretty amazing

To think that my home state considered a ‘green’ state...wow, this is green for REALZ!!!

In the other direction, elegance and simplicity...

Such a treat to see all this horizontal action...but of course, it’s not all horizontal...

I don’t know if I can can climb it, but I it’s gotta be better than my belay...hahaha! And before I can turn around, another chance to ooogle some horizontal action.

No cordelettes here, we’ve got plenty of rope with the doubles...I’m such a geek, but where else can a geek take refuge if not high up on a mountain...

ok buddy, you can take that spot, I don’t have the nuts to fit into THAT crack. But this sure look more familiar, I have always liked those ‘hidden’ corners...but damn if it’s steep enough to give me crick in my neck.

So I decided to give my neck a break and take a look at my comfy ledge..sure is lush up here...what does poison ivy look like again?

Time to climb! I’m coming! Cali stylin’...Touron coming up!!

OMGeez...why isn’t that climber freaking out? Oh wait, that’s climber’s me...WAIT! How am I not freaking out?!! Must be the shirt...damn hippies! (got a comment from a nearby climber, apparently I was the only climber on the whole rock to be sporting the floral, let alone the Hawaiian print, HAHAHA. Cali hippies represent!)

Something tells me this is the top.

Looks like even here where the eastern sun shines, climbers still like to dangle their feet off the edge...a familiar stance indeed. Hey, if you’re facing outward, does that mean you’re not belaying off the anchor?! *gasp* But facing outward sure much more fun if you ask me...and a much better pose!

I didn’t think to find so many pine trees out here, but looks like the alpine touches even these eastern cliffs...

Next morning and it’s time to get dressed for the day...here’s today’s wardrobe!

Ok, I actually my WHOLE day’s costume takes way more space than that, east or west, I tend to spread out like the n00b I am. Thank goodness there are sunny ledges to accommodate. My partner is truly a patient and understanding climber...

Today, it’s my turn to wear the leader skirt...apparently, I’m going up that way....

but damn, even if it’s rated 5.easy, that STILL looks steep. I hope I can make it!

Ropes are ready to go and it’s time for me to step up...wait...TWO ropes?!

Two...at the SAME TIME? Once again, it’s a cherry poppin’ lead, my first time leading with doubles...heh, hope I can handle two at once! ;) Climb ON!!

Wow...it’s really far down there...

My partner says that the trees up here are solid for anchors or rap stations...which I believe...

But I wouldn’t want to be rapping in the storm that took THAT one down!

My partner took the next bit of leading, and thank goodness...this must be steeper than anything I’ve done this season...oh geezz...where’s my handcrack?!!! Toto, we sure aren’t in Yosemite...

But the top is still beautiful and worth every moment of grunting, panting, and pawing my way to one of the best perches high on the side of the rock. It sure can feel so good to be above it all...

is it the sun or is that the glow of Good Times that I see?

Mmmm, I think I might still be a climber even far far east of my familiar granite.

Moar please!!

Cheers

LS

Brandon-

climber

The Granite State.

Jun 23, 2013 - 05:23pm PT

Sweet! Welcome to the Northeast!

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Jun 23, 2013 - 06:02pm PT

Madame G's, High E, whoopee!

and a revered member of that Eastern tribe...

good on ya for getting out, a great place to do it!

ruppell

climber

Jun 23, 2013 - 06:34pm PT

Wait a minute. I lived in the Gardiner for three years and saw Rgold at least once a week. He never invited me to climb with him. lol

Nice TR and hope you enjoyed that place. It's something special.

perswig

climber

Jun 23, 2013 - 08:05pm PT

Half ropes rule. Place any tricams?

Nice tour guide.
Dale

Dirka

Trad climber

Hustle City

Jun 23, 2013 - 09:53pm PT

Loved the adventure

klk

Trad climber

cali

Jun 23, 2013 - 10:32pm PT

lol

dmt lives!

very kuehl

Mark Sensenbach

climber

Jun 23, 2013 - 10:43pm PT

Looks really fun and beautiful. Nice!

wivanoff

Trad climber

Jun 24, 2013 - 10:07am PT

Nice pix and TR. Thanks!
But, what routes did you do and who was that old dude? ;)

ladyscarlett

Trad climber

SF Bay Area, California

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 24, 2013 - 02:54pm PT

Rumor has it, if you go with the right person you can do all the kewl pitches of various different climbs.

Given how much we traversed various fat idyllic ledges, I have a feeling I was lucky enough to get to climb the best pitches of different routes.

What a treat! It's like the best sampler platter EVAR!!!

Thanks everyone...including my awesome host. Can't wait until YOU are the visiting dignitary! And we'll do all the 10+ pitch climbs I can send you up ;)

Cheers

LS

couchmaster

climber

pdx

Jun 24, 2013 - 03:46pm PT

LOVE the pictorial dialog! Woot! Keeping stoke alive fer sure!!!

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Jun 24, 2013 - 03:49pm PT

Nice TFPU.

JEleazarian

Trad climber

Fresno CA

Jun 24, 2013 - 03:56pm PT

Your TR sure makes those climbs look inviting. Thanks much for it.

John

rgold

Trad climber

Poughkeepsie, NY

Jun 24, 2013 - 04:42pm PT

Hey, that place looks like fun! I gotta get up there sometime.

Alan Rubin

climber

Amherst,MA.

Jun 24, 2013 - 04:50pm PT

Rgold, yeah, and if you do make it to "that place", maybe you can get that "old man" in the pictures to show you around----I hear that he knows a thing or 2 about "them thar parts".

rgold

Trad climber

Poughkeepsie, NY

Jun 24, 2013 - 07:30pm PT

Ha! A thing or two is probably about right...

Actually, here's a thing or two that might interest a few folks.

The tower in the third picture is the Highbridge Tower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highbridge_Park .

The bridges in the TR (photographed from the Metro North train from NYC to Poughkeepsie) are, in order of appearance,

1. The Broadway Bridge.
2. The Henry Hudson Bridge and behind the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge.
3. the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The term "Spuyten Duyvil" is old Dutch for "spitting devil" and refers to the turbulent nature of the intersection of the Spuyten Duyvil Creek, which the bridge spans, and the Hudson River.

4. The strange structure on the island near the Hudson Highlands is Bannerman Castle http://www.bannermancastle.org/visit-the-island.html.