When Bumpa and Tutu left us last, they had mentioned that they would love to go on a climbing trip with us to watch us climb. We assured them that there was no way we would be climbing in mid-August, but Mother Nature gave us a real treat this year and delivered Fall early! So we piled into the van and headed to Arkansas for some sandstone climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch.
Yoli, who was just two months post ankle surgery, decided to throw caution to the wind and tried her old nemesis, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. She had almost sent it, years ago, but a foot-slip caused her to fall post-crux. This time around, she worked out the beta and was able to send it second go! After sending this super techy climb, she decided to jump back on an even techier and steeper climb calledBoronocus. This climb starts with technical sequences on small crimps with bad footholds and leads to a steep roof section that ends with 3 consecutive dynamic lunges before reaching the anchors. She made quick work of this 5.11c, proving once again that nothing can keep this girl down for long.
Bumpa, who had climbed many eons ago (likely before Sport Climbing was invented), put on a climbing harness and got tied in. With tremendous courage and determination, he put his paws onto the sandstone holds and began to ascend the steep rock face. He battled with the difficult bottom section and when he could go no further, I lowered him back down to the ground and we congratulated him for a job well done. Way to go Bumpa!
Tutu and Micah got to enjoy the hiking and watching horses, goats, and climbers at the ranch. On the last day of the trip, while Tutu and Bumpa were sitting on the porch of their cabin, a large horse decided to join them (on the porch). Brave Tutu got up immediately and stood up to the horse, telling him to back off and thankfully he obeyed.
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| A clever way that saves Bumpa's back and keeps M from face planting on rocks! |
As for me, I got on a climb at the Roman Wall that I had, for some reason or another, avoided for many years. The climb is called Maximus and goes through the steepest section of the Roman Wall roof. I thought it looked steep from the ground, but it wasn't until I was in the roof section that I realized just how steep this intimidating roof really was! I tried my best to onsight the route, but I was unable to find a crucial hold right before the anchor. I ended up sending Maximus on the second go, but it wasn't such a bad thing, because it gave me to the opportunity to climb this stellar route a second time.
All in all, I'd say it was a great start to the Fall season and I'm super excited to see what's in store for Yoli if she's sending this hard just two months after ankle surgery!
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| Wearing Bumpa's hat! |
Thank you Bumpa and Tutu for coming out to visit us and braving a weekend of hiking and climbing at the Ranch! Aside from some nap troubleshooting and a long (very long...) drive home with a screaming toddler, the weekend went perfectly. Thank you for all of your tremendous help with the little man. He loved spending time with his Bumpa and Tutu and has continued to ask for both of you often!
