I’d say I was suffering from “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness” from the big day climbing but the onset was actually more immediate (IOMS). Thankfully I have a hottub, yin-yoga and Aleve!

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To Quote …Adventure

30. March 2010 by Mark.

P1 Pumped!!!

As we were hiking back to the car, Keith said “My biggest adventures are always with you, Mark”

This was about as big a compliment as I could imagine. Yep, it was a big adventure day for sure!

A bumpy 4x road daftly negotiated by Keith in his Subie- brought us to the trailhead. Dry washes were torrents from the recent snow melt- we hopped across and balanced on logs. Our heavy packs began to weigh in as we got warmer and closer to our destination. Fuly aware- or so I thought- of our strenuous endeavor, I thought “maybe I’ll take a break from climbing after this, & do some canyoneering for a while” As if, I’d already realized the goal and satisfied my need for adventure and struggle. I had much to learn.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.94148,-111.83423&ll=34.94148,-111.83423&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

The Golden Spike was known as a new testpiece of sustained difficult climbing in the backcountry of Sedona. 11+ climbing after a 1hr approach. We found our way up the break in the headwall zigzagging across brushy ledges leading to the steep 5pitch pillar. The sun past over the cliff as I racked up- mostly triples to #4 ( a lot of gear), and headed up the first pitch: steep hands then finger liebacking, then more hands in a slot, I was sooooo pumped…& then a roof! I thought it felt harder than 11a but waited and when Keith concurred that it was indeed hard and unrelenting- I felt justified. Next Keith led what should have been the crux pitch 11+! up a steep acute slot with hands in the back then stemming out past a huge roof and offwidth, more delicate stemming past two face bolts to finger cracks- technical and powerful- Keith’s style. I also found this pitch demanding but made it clean. It was my turn again to lead. After a big hands bulge it was ledgy climbing up to a loose pillar and then a thin hands roof. After several futile attempts, I slipped a sling in my high piece and stepped into the loop to aid my way past- still incrediblly difficult! once past this roof more difficult corner climbing up to a huge off- width roof which actually proved easier than it looked! This pitch had to be at least 5.12; if neither Keith nor I could free it. While easier the following pitch was no mental break as Keith led up the long offwidth utilizing stems and liebacks when possible. Then final pitch was supposed to be 5.7, but again, felt harder than predicted; loose blocks then chimney up to exposed run-out stems to an overhanging hand crack to the summit. What a view! We improved tha anchor by adding another carabiner and some more webbing then rap’d down to the next station which we improved as well. Then we tried to pull our rope and found it would’nt budge…or did it? We both pulled simultaneously, we tried different angles- we yarded- or should I say inched our way pulling 90m of rope over the friction’d angles of chimney and ledge. I was pumped-and not even climbing! Finally free we made the remaining raps headache free. We skipped the final one, rapping past the first anchor to a ledge and short down-climb back to the packs. Safe Tierra Firma! A euphoric walk back- Cold Beers awaited!

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