oldsalt
Jun 10, 2004, 4:01 PM
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Registered: Jan 19, 2004
Posts: 919
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Weather permitting, I will be doing my first lead on Afterburner (Rocket Slab) late morning/early afternoon on Friday 6/25. I got rained out after some nice folks from Miami rigged a TR for my son and I on 12/27/03.
Hope to see some rc.com people there.
Update! Figuratively Snake-bit at Foster...
The weather did not permit climbing on Friday, especially after spending an hour parked at the Allatoona Lake exit on I-75. I visited family in Lebanon (TN) and returned to Foster late morning on Sunday the 26th. While it was not actively raining, the rock was very wet and the wind was blowing water off of the trees above.
Determined to do my first outdoor lead, I built an anchor for my 15 year old son to belay me from, and setup the climb. The lower part of Afterburner has many jugs and deep pockets. I was at the first bolt before I knew it. The clip was flawless, as Stuart gave me just the slack I needed.
I went up to where my reach was about 18" short of the second of the three bolts. I had OK hand placements, but the slab needed to be smeared here. Even a large toe hold was angled downward and wet. No go.
My 26 and 17 year old daughters were filming and encouraging me, but when they saw me try step after step and slip they knew something was wrong. I hate to admit defeat, so I shocked Heather (the eldest) when I replied to her "Are you about to fall?" question with "No, but I will if I keep trying while it's wet."
First lead or no, I knew that blowing the second clip can be the worst scenario. I down climbed until I could place a quick-link on the first bolt. Stuart lowered me when I recovered the draw.
To those who follow me on Afterburner, I apologize for leaving the link but I didn't want to down climb the whole distance when I distrusted the footing. There is a great stance at this bolt, so it should not cause anyone grief. May the link serve you well, or at least once.
0-2 at Foster ... back to Mt. Yonah next month.
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