Photos by hendo

August 2009: Three pals are heading up "Conclusion", a 5.5. trending obviously leftwards out of the lake at Bon Echo. You'd think at this grade this route would see a lot of traffic but theirs was probably the first ascent in a decade or more, owing to an unbelievably convoluted route description that's been retained in the guidebook for supposed humour value. Straight above the two climbers at the belay alcove is another long-overlooked route, "Romp of the Geriatics". It's rated in the guidebook as 5.11. A more accurate grade is 5.5 A1. Once this was pointed out, the route saw what was probably its first climbers since the early '80s.

This shot is from the top of the third pitch. Paul and Willa are following up on half ropes. The kayak down below on Lake Mazinaw adds to the feeling of this cliff.

Karl handed me the rack (four slings and a cam) and said, it's all yours. And so I set off on "the edge of all things." This is one of the best routes at Bon Echo.