Leezerdgirl's first trad climb, April 2004

Behold the Hogsback, the perfect hunk of rock for trad virgins. I think this was taken on knapsack crack, which I hear is also a great first free solo. If you've ever walked up the biggest pyramid at Uxmal in Mexico holding onto the chain, you know what this route is like. Photo taken by Alex Clayton, an excellent and patient tutor in the art of trad, who selflessly loaned me his helmet (among other essential items), and whom you can see reflected in my sunglasses if you blow up the shot.