On Saturday I had a prety bad day climbing. First I tried to lead Ken’s Crack and hung. I pitched a bit of a fit about it too. Turned out some guy was standing behind me, which I never would have pitched a fit if I’d known that. Now he wants to give me beta. Todd sent him away somewhat harshly, I guess. I don’t know. I didn’t really hear the exchange as I was busy fuming. I finished leading it and Todd went and apologized to the guy and let him have a ride. He was pretty bad as it turned out, so it was kind of funny.

Then I tried Trapped Like a Rat again and freaked out on that one too. I ended up downclimbing with tension when I couldn’t get a second piece in to start. I was crying and it was so slimy I didn’t think I could do it, or make myself do it, I don’t know which. So I told myself I was quitting climbing and then I said that I could quit climbing if I went ahead and led the thing, so I did. I think that’s about all that got me up it. The top didn’t feel so bad this time at least.

I’d have spent the rest of the day in a pissy mood except we ran into crazy Mike who was impressed I led it without falling because he thinks it’s really hard. Then he was impressed that I’d followed P38 cleanly (and that Todd had led it cleanly) so he was making me feel good. He wanted to put a rope up on Trashcan Overhang so we went and did that with him. I didn’t get it clean because when I did the first, right heel hook my shoe came most of the way off. Stupid velcro. I really think I might have gotten it otherwise.

I fixed the velcro and did the rest of the moves and it didn’t even feel so bad but when I tried from the ground again I didn’t have the strength to repeat. I think I tried three or four times overall and my knee is showing the damage. Mike and Todd kept yelling for me to jam my knee up higher but I think they’re wrong. It adds to the damage anyway and I don’t think it helps me climb it at all.