The Back Door, The Monolith, and beyond. It actually hailed on me after I took this picture. photo Tom Slater slatervision.com

This was shot from the top of the Upper Crust during a hail storm. Ouch, oh, doh! photo Tom Slater slatervision.com

starting my onsight attempt of 'feed the beast' a classic .11c @ Pinnacles National

Matt climbing POD on The Monolith in Pinnacles National Monument (Dustin on belay)

Finally reaching the big breadbox, I let my worked arms depump a moment before heading for the anchors.

This is Dave just after the last clip on Ubermensch. Photo by Kacee.

Description: Next time Paolo, next time. Working the crux of the route, the best one so far at Pinnacles, that was supposed to be the "send" day, but hot rock, and a fuzzy rope sheat that kept snagging in the draw stopped slablizard. Next time.

This is Dave on Ubermensch, a difficult arete on the Monolith. photo taken from the trail by Kacee.

Hanging the draws on the feed the beast on a summer morning- the route is in full sun during summer mornings- another reason to head for the valley...

Wish I got their names, but this couple and a friend of theirs climbed the same couple days our little trio spent at the Pinnacles. I kinda wish she wore something that contrasted against the dark rock for photographic purposes, but if I ever decide to paint this scene, I can easily change that!

Here's one of my dear climbing buddies, Michelle, making her way up a top-belay on P.O.D.

This was my second climb on our first day at the Pinnacles. It took some getting used to the rock.... as it resembled the cross cut section of broken concrete, and any fall pretty much guaranteed you were gonna bleed! Well, maybe not, but it sure felt like it.

Karl gets the FA on his new route, Gorillas in the Moss (.12d)

Slablizard (Paolo) on Foreplay. You just clipped the second bolt but you are very exposed, the starting terrace to your right ends, leaving you 60ft form the ground. Get ready for a first crux here.

Chris pulling nobs on Foreplay (.11b). One of the best .11's in the park!

Biggie coming out of the crux moves of "Feed the Beast" (.11c)

This is P.O.D. a.k.a. (Post Orgasmic Depression) 5.11 at Pinnacles National Monument.

Feed the Beast 5.11 b/c - a short but pumpy sport climb on the Monolith at Pinnacles National Monument, CA. Climber: Rio Rose Photo: Dave Bevan

Here's an exceptionally talented climber on one of the most overlooked routes at the Pinnacles. It's a long, steep and aesthetic line that follows a series of increasingly difficult crux moves with very little rest.

This is Jamie approaching the second half of Ranger Bolts. From here, it just gets harder and steeper.

This bolted route, in the eastern part of the Pinnacles, has a steep and bouldery crux right off the ground. Pumpy up higher. Photo by Tyler Logan.

Stanford Alpine Club