We couldn’t have asked for nicer weather and the crowds weren’t bad. Ben and I ran up 10 pitches so fast we were done (and done) by 4:00. I started with Trapped Like a Rat. Of course. It had to be the first one. I’m not saying I laughed my way up it but I didn’t hesitate and I didn’t put in any panic pieces, so it was good. Ben hadn’t been on it before so I subjcted another climber to my personal nightmare. Then we did a whole bunch of other stuff, mostly without drama.

Ben did take a whipper on Maria Direct but that was kind of nice because I’d always wondered where a fall from there would end up. Now I know: on the ground. But not on the ground by much. It didn’t seem to have jarred him. He went back up and finished it and I reminded myself that I need to lead that one this year. My first day back went so well I think I’ll hit up my first 9 on my next trip and see if I can keep moving forward from there.

The real drama this year will be the search for the 12. Stay tuned.

Trapped Like a Rat, 5.7 (Dawn)
Son of Easy O, 5.8 (P1: Ben, P2: Dawn)
Maria Direct, 5.9 (Ben)
Maria, 5.6 (P2: Dawn, P3: Ben)
City Lights, 5.7 (P1& 2: Dawn)
Classic, 5.7 (P1: Ben, P2: Dawn)