Although the overcast sky kept the light low, the chilly temperature created great conditions for the friction at Castle Rock. Here's Tony slapping and pinching his way up Bates Arete.

Jim about to heel hook on the Waimea Arete. The next move involves hanging off of a poor sloper and lunging up to a flat shelf for a sketchy mantle. If your heel pops, there is a good chance you will fall on your back. (Canon Elan 7n, Sigma 28-105 f2.8-4, Kodak Tri-X 400)

Jim crosses to the beak hold on one of the most classic problems at Castle Rock. If you only had time to do one problem at Castle Rock, this is the one to do. (Canon Elan 7n, Sigma 28-105 f2.8-4, Kodak Tri-X 400)

Hardest variation leading up to the V0 (5.8) mantle on the front of Castle Rock. This face is just left of the 5.4 access gulley and has innumerable variations.

Charles Schreck about to finish "Garage Door" via the direct mantle top out

Scott Cosgrove doing the V7 mantle move that leads to the V0 mantle on the front face of Castle Rock proper.

John Yablonski in 1987 on a still uncompleted problem near the trail exit from the Main CRSP Parking Lot.

Mike Hernandez mantles the final difficult sloping shelf. FA: Barry Bates, Late 70s.

Chris Leger on the Spoon. Photo by Amy Jordan.

Davy attempts Duct Tape (V5), a tricky overhung arete, using new magic beta from Dave (spotting).

Charles Schreck on "Garage Door Mantle" (V4). This route can be easy or impossible depending on the heat and grease factors.

John Yablonski on the "Block Arete" V3, backside of Castle Rock.

This traverse was probably first completed by Barry Bates in the early 80s.

This route combines the "Chapman Traverse" (V4), "Mr. Clean" (V0+), and the "V3 Reach" on 360 Degree Rock and was first done by Chris Sharma.

The Spoon is everyone's favorite sandbag at the Main Castle Rock area.

Mike Archiga on Barry Bates' classic arete in back of the Main CR.

Anne cranks the crossthrough on the super classic Beak traverse.

Davy on a fun little arete (anyone know its name?) downhill from the backside of Castle Rock.

That's Neil determined to make that chalky hand slapper on a short but tough Castle Rock boulder problem.

Just another casual day in Castle Rock. Hoards of people gathering at the Beak, and some even managed to get some climbing in. Here, Jasmine is calmly contemplating how flat the next hold is.

Jasper hanging on for dear life on "Asshole Arete" at Castle Rock Park, California, Winter 2003.

Eric find his way on the Spoon at Castle Rock (CA).

Brian cruzing the opening move of the Block Arete at Castle Rock (CA).

Joel on the Block Arete at Castle Rock (CA).

Max Kruzic on Bates Arete. Photo: Jacob Troester