Hello. We approach by taking the tram.
Ross might remember these shenanigans from our aborted attempt. The snow makes it more interesting still.
George begins the first of four double-rope rappels to the base of the cliff.
We were both intrigued by the second-to-last pitch during the second rappel. The difficult section consisted of awesome finger locks and steep stemming into a thin corner, capped with a big roof.
We did an improvised coin toss to decide whose lead it was at the base. I led the first pitch. It consisted of some scary loose garbage and a couple fun moves at the end after one ugly fight with a bush in between.
George starts up the second pitch, which begins with a fun wide hand crack.
Here I'm getting into the business on the third pitch. It delivered with very stimulating climbing.
What would the fourth pitch hold? George prepares for the thin face climbing crux.
The finish on the arete was every bit as spectacular as one might hope.
George persevered through the thin face moves for the on-sight ascent of this pitch. Nice!
The first two pitches aren't so special, but the last two pitches deserve maximum quality rating!
Oh yeah, January on SkiSickness -- here are a couple ski photos from the winter holidays around Santa Fe.
