So, yeah... It's been a while since I wrote something on here. I'll admit, I'm more than a bit overdue.
Life happens sometimes, and you lose track of things, and I just kept telling myself I'd get to it, but I haven't, so here I am three and a half months later. I think part of the reason I didn't post is because I didn't feel like I knew what to write about. We had expectations in our head of our first big wall summit and first overnight, but events conspired against us. Don't get me wrong, we had an absolutely amazing trip to Yosemite, but in the context of this blog and climbing it felt a bit anticlimactic.
Yosemite is an awe-inspiring place. Our first glimpse of The Valley we knew from the photographs was at sunset, as we pulled into the park on the evening of May 1st. After passing a few towers that we couldn't identify without a guidebook, El Capitan suddenly loomed ahead of us. It's really just hard to believe.
Life happens sometimes, and you lose track of things, and I just kept telling myself I'd get to it, but I haven't, so here I am three and a half months later. I think part of the reason I didn't post is because I didn't feel like I knew what to write about. We had expectations in our head of our first big wall summit and first overnight, but events conspired against us. Don't get me wrong, we had an absolutely amazing trip to Yosemite, but in the context of this blog and climbing it felt a bit anticlimactic.
Yosemite is an awe-inspiring place. Our first glimpse of The Valley we knew from the photographs was at sunset, as we pulled into the park on the evening of May 1st. After passing a few towers that we couldn't identify without a guidebook, El Capitan suddenly loomed ahead of us. It's really just hard to believe.
"Whoa."
It reminded me of my experience viewing the Northern Lights at their peak in Talkeetna, Alaska—you've seen pictures, you've heard descriptions, you basically know what to expect, you've seen it all. None of that matters. El Capitan, just like the Northern Lights, was so beyond my realm of visual experience that it was hard to believe that it was real or gain perspective, even while it stood in front of me. It's. So. Big. Ridiculously big. Unbelievably big. And more than anything in the world, I want to climb it.
Northern Lights in Talkeetna, Alaska The next morning we hiked to the base of The Nose on El Cap—our ultimate goal, but not for this trip. It's easy to build up a climb like that in your mind until it seems scary and impossible, but seeing it certainly made it feel more attainable. After all, it's just climbing! 3,000 feet of climbing, but climbing all the same.
We then made our way to the Swan Slab area for some single pitch climbs so we could feel out the rock. I got on Grant's Crack and immediately felt right at home. It reminded me of Boulder Canyon granite, but a bit more frictiony. Another boost to the spirit!
That night we packed our gear for Washington Column so we could set off early the next day. Our plan was not to go light—the route requires only a bivvy, yet we wanted to bring our portaledge and head up a bit higher on the wall the first day, purely for the experience. We also brought excessive amounts of food and water. First mistake!
Hiking in to Washington Column. After an alpine start the next morning, we began the hike in to Washington Column from the parking lot of the Ahwahnee Hotel. We saw mixed beta online regarding the approach so weren't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a long, steep, miserable hike. This was not helped at all by the fact that Anne and I were carrying 70 and 80 pound packs. By the time we arrived at the base, Anne's ankle (which has been recovering from a severe sprain several months ago) was swollen and painful. I hadn't been able to put down any breakfast due to the early start, and so was suffering myself from so much exertion on an empty stomach. Despite our aches we flaked the rope at the base, racked up, prepared the bags for hauling, and started up the climb.
The first pitch was fun, and I felt like I was absolutely in my element. I cruised along, switching seamlessly between free climbing and bits of aid, and arrived at the anchor soon enough. Hauling the heavy bags up the slabby, featured first pitch was hell, though, and with the beating sun and my hunger and dehydration, I started to struggle with motivation for the pitches and hauling that lay ahead. Anne arrived, her ankle even worse for the wear, and after a long conversation we ultimately made the decision to bail.
The first pitch was fun, and I felt like I was absolutely in my element. I cruised along, switching seamlessly between free climbing and bits of aid, and arrived at the anchor soon enough. Hauling the heavy bags up the slabby, featured first pitch was hell, though, and with the beating sun and my hunger and dehydration, I started to struggle with motivation for the pitches and hauling that lay ahead. Anne arrived, her ankle even worse for the wear, and after a long conversation we ultimately made the decision to bail.
Racking up at the base/trying not to throw up. Between her ankle and my stomach wanting to somehow heave up the nothingness it contained, we didn't feel like it was our day. I still struggle with whether we should have stuck it out and seen if we could have pushed through. But we've never backed off a climb before, so when both of us felt like this was the one to bail on, it was surely the one. I think...?
I guess that's how it goes sometimes when you set big goals for yourself, and we had a fun trip regardless. We spent the remaining days hiking and enjoying the beautiful park, and headed back home refreshed, if not quite ready to enter the real world again after a week off. We know what we need to do differently, and most importantly, we have some more time for Anne's ankle (and the two other injuries she tallied up on the descent! Be more careful, Annabelle! ;-) ) to heal completely.
We already have our tickets booked for October, when we'll be revisiting Washington Column and gaining the summit! Next spring has our sights set on Leaning Tower. And hopefully--hopefully—El Capitan via The Nose next fall.
And I promise to post more blogs in the meantime.
I guess that's how it goes sometimes when you set big goals for yourself, and we had a fun trip regardless. We spent the remaining days hiking and enjoying the beautiful park, and headed back home refreshed, if not quite ready to enter the real world again after a week off. We know what we need to do differently, and most importantly, we have some more time for Anne's ankle (and the two other injuries she tallied up on the descent! Be more careful, Annabelle! ;-) ) to heal completely.
We already have our tickets booked for October, when we'll be revisiting Washington Column and gaining the summit! Next spring has our sights set on Leaning Tower. And hopefully--hopefully—El Capitan via The Nose next fall.
And I promise to post more blogs in the meantime.
Until then, enjoy some more pictures below from our trip to the beautiful Yosemite Valley!
Looking up at The Nose from the base of El Cap.
Lower Yosemite Falls
Bridalveil Falls and Leaning Tower
Lily, Anne and I
My zen stone stack in the Merced River.
This is what a carry on bag should look like.
