Kellie and Rolf were great hosts and they didn’t mean to make me sad, but I was jealous of them and what they had. What they don’t have is a lot of stuff like cell phones, mattresses, cars from this decade, or enough chairs to go around. What they do have is a relationship that… Read more »
Posts By: Dawn
Sport v. Trad
Our rental car in Tuolumne was an automatic, as most rental cars in the US are. I’ve always driven a standard, from my first car when I had no choice (cheaper) through my most recent car when the dealer had to go out of his way to find the model I wanted without the automatic… Read more »
Making Memories
The thought of climbing at Tuolumne made me nervous, and so did the thought of seeing Cathy again. About Tuolumne, there are stories–runout slabs, long approaches, afternoon thunderstorms. About Cathy, there are also stories–stories that are part of my personal mythology; stories that helped form the adult me. Cathy and I were the ultimate co-adventurers… Read more »
Trashcan redux
There’s really not much to say in this post because we climbed one route on TR in the drizzle. It was Trashcan Overhang which I haven’t been on in quite some time. I learned that I’m stronger than I used to be (I can survive having my feet cut loose now) and that my new… Read more »
Chanelling the Children
To the climbing world, I’m Tradgirl, but to three boys and a girl under the age of six, I’m Aunt Dawn. I’m the Aunt who’ll chase you in endless kitchen/dining room/living room loops with a sock on my hand trying to “get your nose” or run pell-mell downhill with two kids jammed into a jogging… Read more »
Worth it
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… Read more »
Warm, dry rock in the sun
Nothing to complain about today. No rain, no wet streaks, no hang-fests or drama. Almost no falling at all. Todd tried a direct transition into the Dry Heaves traverse and took a couple falls on it, and I wasn’t bold enough to pop for the jug on City Streets on my first attempt. Got it… Read more »
The Gods Are Indifferent
Around four o’clock on Thursday I’d had enough climbing for the day. We’d gotten in seven pitches. I’d led four of them, including a classic 5.9 I’d onsighted in unusually good style, feeling confident, safe, and in control the whole way up. Towards the end of the day I’d tried to lead the direct start… Read more »
Why do the Gunks hate us, part II
Miriam promised it wouldn’t rain on Sunday so we walked all the way down to the far end of the Trapps to prove it. I have a few projects down there but they were nothing I wanted to try wet (e.g. Frustration Syndrome and Wegetables). Even WASP was more than I was willing to tackle… Read more »
Why do the Gunks hate us, Part I
Steven and I are planning to head to the Daks for four days over the 4th. This weekend was a chance to get myself ready, which I guess means getting accustomed to climbing on wet rock with the threat of rain. To that end, the weekend was a great success. The rock was only wet… Read more »