Katie testing the flake on Peruvian Flake near the Royal Arches start, 10a.

Ray Cablayan seconding the first pitch of Royal Arches (alternate finger/friction route). Started just after 7am in a chilly October morning. The sun was still behind Half Dome so I figured I'd shoot with sephia. The day warmed up to a wonderful classic climb.

Once we came out of the munge and onto the crack in pitch 2-3 smiles were frequent.

Jessie and Stephen watch as Angie crosses the last wet slab pitch of Royal Arches.

I am belaying below the last wet pitch of Royal Arches. This is one of my favorite routes, waterfalls and all.

Me preparing for the raps off of Super slab.

Kim floating up the crux handcrack. What a great partner carrying the second rope!

In early September, my friend Jason, his dad Larry, his girlfriend Karissa, and I climbed the Royal Arches Route in two teams of two (Jason with Larry and Karissa with me). Here Jason is just about to start up the first pitch chimney with his dad in tow, and Karissa is organizing our rope for when we follow after them.

This was my first time leading a route that requires a pendulum. Lucky for me there is a fixed rope... makes the pendulum a fun easy swing over to a huge flake.

Here is Jason leading the pendulum on pitch 9 of the Royal Arches Route. His dad followed him and then it was my turn to lead it. I think this photo really captures the motion of running across the rock toward the ledge that marks the end of the pendulum.

I have no idea when I took this but it of Royal Arches and North Dome, and I guess Washington Column is peaking out.

Here I am completing the little pendulum on Royal Arches.

A friend of mine climbing the Sons of Yesterday finish to Serenity Crack.

Here I am hanging out during our lunch break. Spectacular views down the valley. Taken on the ledge just below the pendulum. Photo taken by areuinclimber

Hand drilling Pitch 2 of "Mid-Life Crisis" on the FA in April 1987.

About to place the first bolt on Pitch 1 of "Mid-Life Crisis" during the first ascent in April 1987.

Hand drilling on the run-out first pitch of "Mid-Life Crisis" during the FA in April 1987.

Beth Wald on "Adrenaline" (5.11b), just down and to the left of the 1st pitch of Serenity Crack.

Rappelling Royal Arches. Always a fun route. Have a martini at the Ahwahnee afterwards.

This is the anchor point atop Trial by Fire. There are three bolts at a nice standing belay on top of a large chockstone. I'm looking above at Super Slab.

I took this on my first Valley trip 1982, It was a race back down that day.

Tim Chupein doing the pendulum pitch on Royal Arches, Yosemite.

The first two people I talked to after doing this route asked me if I freed the traverse. Hell no! I saw that tatty rope and just had to give it a swing. Gotta love doing 25 single rope rappels... next time I'm walkin' off!

Dave (caughtinside) thinks the penje on Royal Arches is fun. September 2004.