Photos by darshahlu

My friends bouldering at Pirates Cove, Corona Del Mar Beach. A cool spot in the evening when the setting sun lights up the west-facing sandstone...

AJ working the jams on The Burrito at Pirates' Cove, Corona Del Mar Beach.

AJ firing through the crux of Not Even at Pirates' Cove, Corona Del Mar. From scoop, big dyno over roof to knobs.

Sebastian, from Germany, cruising this hard face problem his first time at Pirates' Cove, Corona Del Mar.

I scrambled up to the edge to watch the sunrise. It was an incredible view! Taken (and sent via email) by a random guy Alex I met hiking up to the edge that morning. Photoshopped a bit by myself.

...after summitting from The Long Route / White Maiden's Walkaway (some where in the middle we crossed over...)

This is me working out the moves to Flakes of Wrath in Suicide. I am entering a strenous layback section with polished feet. Photo by AJ Burch!

Here I am in the layback on Flakes of Wrath in Suicide. Slippery feet make you over grip the holds and get super pumped. Photo by AJ Burch!

Here I am about to place pro on Flakes of Wrath. I fell just a little higher. Photo by AJ Burch!

We were working on a boulder problem. We couldn't do it. We busted out the aiders! The sign says something to the effect of "DO NOT CLIMB!" When I was attempting this, the hook popped on me as I was looking at it. Nearly struck an eye out!

Here is a close up of my buddy aiding up a boulder. Pretty sketchy pro: hooking and totally RUSTED quarter inch hangerless bolts.

Here you can see how overhung the boulder is. Climbing it was impossible and aiding it wasn't that much easier... I myself had a hook pop off and hit me in the face!

This is my buddy Kia entering an area of huge exposure on Flower of Higher Rank in Suicide. Here he is going into the perfect handcrack/layback to an intimidating roof. Photo by AJ Burch!

My buddy on the upper half of Flower of Higher Rank. Here he is chalking up before the final charge through the roof. Photo by AJ Burch!

We all know the feeling...almost had the onsite. Here is my buddy's reaction after a slip on Flower of Higher Rank. Bummer... Photo by AJ Burch!

This is me on pitch 3 of Snake Dike. Climbed July in beautiful weather.

This is me out on the edge of Half Dome. Taken after summiting by Snake Dike.

My buddy (and belayer) Jake some where on Snake Dike.

Climbing is interesting when its cold and icy... We decided to do Nutcracker in the winter (February 29) and here is my partner on belay 3. First pitch was all water so we had to do the 5.9 variation to the right of it. It, too, was wet and icy but more maneagable.

Here I am starting pitch 3 of Nutcracker. Fun airy step from snowy ledge to 5.6 crack.

My partner enjoying the awesome crack of pitch 4.

Seconding the last pitch, here I am about to top off on the 5.5 slab. Awesome climb; better in the winter (we were the only ones on it)!