As one of the many who linger around here, I too hesitate to post trip reports alongside the extraordinary climbs that some of you accomplish. I nonetheless submit to you my extreme n00bishness; my humble summer of climbing; the beginning of a learning path, one that I hope will be long and continue to be as rewarding.

I started leading last fall and have learned everything on my own through trial and non-lethal error. This year was my first full year of leading and it was a great one at that. While staying well within my climbing limits, I've continued to learn to place gear, I've kept it safe, had fun and pushed my mental limits.

Gunks

The season started with a 4 day trip to find out what the Gunks were all about. It turns out the Gunks are a big deal. For a beginner like me, it's a great place to learn to climb with lots of exposure and good protection. I eventually went back 3 times with the Gunks being at the center of my climbing. The 10 hour round trip drive was worth it each time.

The first trip at the end of March was with my young daughter, so we stuck to single pitch climbs.

http://mikemclean.ca/ocd/2010/04/05/gunks-trip-april-2010/

I don't consider that I really ticked off any climbs on this trip, (well, except for Dirty Chimney and Easy Keyhole ...) but it gave me a good occasion to see and feel the Gunks; to fall in love with the place.


I then followed up with a 2nd trip in the month of June.

http://mikemclean.ca/ocd/2010/06/26/gunks-trip-2-june-2010/

This trip was much more successful with a full slew of classics done. Among them: Three Pines, Betty, Jackie, Bunny and Belly Roll.


We returned a 3rd and 4th time in August, again ticking off some moderate classics: Easy Overhang, Horseman, Double Chin, Minty, Beginner's Delight, Frog's Head, ...

http://mikemclean.ca/ocd/2010/08/13/gunks-re-redub-august-2010/

http://mikemclean.ca/ocd/2010/08/29/a-last-trip-to-the-gunks-this-year/


Adirondacks

I managed to get out in the Adirondacks a couple times, although not as much as I would have wanted (there's something no climber has ever said).

One climb that was sublime and stuck with me is Catharsis at Poke-O Moonshine.

http://mikemclean.ca/ocd/2010/09/12/poke-o-moonshine-slab-catharsis/



Local stuff

Of course, I got out at some local crags around Montreal. I'm guessing I got out maybe 10 times in all which brutally reminds me that I really am a weekend warrior.

The Pinacle is a 300 foot cliff here in Quebec just north of the US border. I went a couple times for some multi-pitch goodness.

http://mikemclean.ca/ocd/tag/pinacle/


I'm hoping that the last 4 or 5 weekends of the season will be as fruitful. With the slow but sure progress made this summer, I'll be shooting to dabble in 5.8 territory next summer which will open a lot of climbs that I didn't want to get onto quite yet.


(Edit: spelling)