Beginners Route - 5.4

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My first (and only) official solo. Really easier than the "3rd class" on top of Fairview but still heady. Don't get stuck in the chimney.

If you do not walk back down or rappel from the top of the climb, you're in for a long walk off the shoulder of the Dome

Enjoyed my time on the dome immensely.

I'd recommend it to others, but it was a bit crowded there, probably because of the holiday. Everyone did this on the first try.

Went up with my two brothers, one of their girlfriends, and her two younger brotherx who had "never climbed a real rock." They made a nice 60m rap in the dark =)

The cruz for our little tribe was logistical: 6 people. 2 had never climbed before, 2 mid-range climbers, 2 well experienced climbers. Multiply by late start & night descent, divide by food, and subtract gear. Equals epic.

I have been living in Hawaii for the past 6 months, and took a week of no sleep, three hour time change with me on the plane. Went from the airport to Camp 4 eating and changing bags in between. I had also just gotten a blunt injury to my quad in the time i was eating, and iced my leg all the way up to Camp 4. As you might imagine, climbing at altitude was a bit harder than I anticipated, including nearly becoming hypothermic while waiting for my turn to rapel even though I had prepared well for the chill. Next time I will be sure to give myself at least 2 days to get acclimated.

I soloed this one evening for fun. It is an easy 5.4 chimney. There were, at that time, loads of old slings up at the top that could be useful in pulling yourself over the lip and out of the chimney.