Trip Report
First Climb at 52 - Dome Rock route warning
Tuesday September 14, 2010 8:13pm

My girlfriend Debbie did her first real route (outside the gym) over the Labor Day weekend. It was on her 52nd Birthday, and she was stoked! We went to the Needles to party and do some routes at Dome Rock.

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Credit: StahlBro
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Decided to go visit Margee in the Lookout and do some mountain biking to warm up.

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Credit: StahlBro
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Credit: StahlBro
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Credit: StahlBro
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Margee filled us in on the large sized bear hanging out by Quaking Aspen, and sure enough, we found some pretty fresh tracks near the meadow. They were going to the same way as we were, so we decided on an alternate route.

We headed over to Dome Rock and decided to warm up on The Last Route before going to the Tree Route. Got geared up and headed out!

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Credit: StahlBro
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Credit: StahlBro
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Credit: StahlBro
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Route follows the little dihedral on the left then up the little corne...
Route follows the little dihedral on the left then up the little corners below the big tree
Credit: StahlBro
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This is the warning part. I had never done this route before. First couple of pitches were ok, but kind of dirty. The 3rd pitch was a pile of unconsolidated, large-sized choss. Just the rope movement was dislodging a lot of crap, so I would suggest bailing right (easy) near the top of the 2nd pitch.

We headed back to camp for some Familia Partida Reposado and cupcakes. The cupcakes didn't age well, but after the tequila who really cares?

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Credit: StahlBro
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The Ponerosa was rockin to the sounds of The Wild Oates. Obviously experienced entertainers :-)

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The Wild Oates with Tammy Wynett's pedal steel player.
The Wild Oates with Tammy Wynett's pedal steel player.
Credit: StahlBro
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Mission accomplished! Off to JT in 2 weeks.....

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  Trip Report Views: 2,761
StahlBro
About the Author
StahlBro is a trad climber from San Diego, CA.

Comments
Gene

climber
  Sep 14, 2010 - 08:20pm PT
Dude!!!!

Where do you get off lying about her age? Huh? What up with dat?

Wonderful and thanks for posting.

g
dee ee

Mountain climber
Of THIS World (Planet Earth)
  Sep 14, 2010 - 08:30pm PT
Hap Hap Happy Birthday Debby. Nice tr Rob and Debby. Sounds like some fun mountain action.

But really, just how old are you? Musta' been a typo.

I was in the Dinkey area this weekend, tell ya' later.
StahlBro

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
Author's Reply  Sep 14, 2010 - 08:29pm PT
She has obviously aged much better than me :-)
ec

climber
ca
  Sep 14, 2010 - 08:44pm PT
Too bad on the choss. That route seldom gets done. Looks like you made the best of the trip. 'Surprised you didn't choose the Tree Route.
 ec
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Sep 14, 2010 - 09:07pm PT
Never too late to start, never too late to finish- climbing is a lifetime pursuit.
Zander

climber
  Sep 14, 2010 - 09:43pm PT
Sweeet!
Z
Chateau Rico

Sport climber
Davis, CA
  Sep 14, 2010 - 09:59pm PT
I too was thinking, "Boy, folks are aging slow these days". Good job you two!
ron gomez

Trad climber
  Sep 14, 2010 - 10:03pm PT
52????? Damn I look a lot older for the same age! No fair. Hope to do the same kind of celebrating on the 26th of this month...26X2=52! So can I claim I'm 26 for the second time??!!!!
Peace
pocoloco1

Social climber
The Chihuahua Desert
  Sep 14, 2010 - 10:06pm PT
Go Deb!
guido

Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
  Sep 14, 2010 - 10:20pm PT
NIce-Have to see if I can find some Geritol to run the years back and look so buff as this TR.
philo

climber
  Sep 15, 2010 - 10:05am PT
StahlBro, you are looking fit and healthy. I know it has been something like 120 years since I saw you in JT but the years do not seem to have etched you too hard.
Good for Deb for getting out and getting after it. Keep on keepin' on!
Tony Bird

climber
Northridge, CA
  Sep 15, 2010 - 10:18am PT
he got the numbers backwards. she's 25 and now he's in trouble.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Sep 15, 2010 - 10:29am PT
Far better to do your first climb at 52 than your last climb- keep on truckin!
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
  Sep 15, 2010 - 10:55am PT
I'm with Donini on this one! Keep on truckin'!

Heard that you showed Fritz a great time on Private Idaho at COR!

Rodger
Jingy

climber
Random Nobody
  Sep 15, 2010 - 11:00am PT
Looks like an awesome time was had..

after taquilia... all bets are off!!!

Cheers to the new year for you both
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Sep 15, 2010 - 11:02am PT
Climbing with Fritz is a blast- one of the best dry sense of humor guys on the planet.
Ezra

Social climber
WA, NC, Idaho Falls
  Sep 15, 2010 - 11:04am PT
NIce TR!
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
  Sep 15, 2010 - 11:14am PT
Donini-
No doubt about climbing with Fritz--loads of fun. Met him there at COR for the first time 2 weeks before your trip.
Mark Hudon

Trad climber
On the road.
  Sep 15, 2010 - 12:40pm PT
Yeah, you're lying, she ain't 52! ;-)
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Sep 15, 2010 - 01:01pm PT
Such a great area to take a visitor. I get up there just about every chance I get, even if I leave the rack and shoes at home. What a good boyfriend.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
  Sep 15, 2010 - 01:06pm PT
Nice!!!
rlf

Trad climber
Josh, CA
  Sep 15, 2010 - 01:59pm PT
"52????? Damn I look a lot older for the same age!

Ron, you look old for 100.

It must be all that "swimming" you have to do...
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Sep 15, 2010 - 02:37pm PT
I refuse to condone this climbing stuff behavior. ;)
looking sketchy there...

Social climber
Lassitude 33
  Sep 15, 2010 - 02:55pm PT
Rob, Nice to see you getting out in to and enjoying the Mountains. Hope to see you this Fall in Josh.

RV
StahlBro

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
Author's Reply  Sep 15, 2010 - 07:27pm PT
Thanks everyone for the feedback! I have to admit I got myself in the doghouse on Deb's age (51 not 52), but all your positive comments will hopefully overcome the fall out from my short term memory issues.
I can't even blame it on the tequila this time. Damn.

DEE, look forward to hearing about Dinkey.

Randy, shoulder is finally good to go, so looking forward to seeing you in the desert this fall.

Philo, it's all photo shop baby! Great to hear from you again!

Peace out
philo

climber
  Sep 18, 2010 - 08:11pm PT
I have to admit I got myself in the doghouse on Deb's age (51 not 52),



Duuuuude! You are so going to be howling at the moon for that one.
To quote the late great Jimmy Dean (of sausage fame), "I oughta whop you upside the head with a wet squarrel"

She is cute as can be though. I just can't account for her taste in men. Go figure. he he.
StahlBro

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
Author's Reply  Sep 18, 2010 - 08:33pm PT
Philo,

Even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while. Like the man said, I'd never join a club that would have me as a member :-)
Go