Is it worth it to drive two hours each way to climb three pitches you’ve climbed before? What if you’re showing someone the Gunks for his first time, taking someone up his first multi-pitch route, watching a wide-eyed gym climber learn what exposure means? What if he says he never knew he could get pumped on a 5.6?

Is it worth it to lead twenty terrifying feet of wet 5.2 so someone else can take the crux pitch? What if she’s onsighting High E, what if she sails up it with competent composure even as the raindrops fall on the steep headwall, what if it was her first chance to lead on gear all season? What if they’ll both be back?

It was worth it.

High E, 5.6 (P1: Dawn, P2: Irene)