Rock Climbing in the Adirondacks of New York

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

Climbing up the 'Dacks

This past weekend, myself and 3 good friends indulged in a weekend of #Travel #Climbing and #Adventure

IMG_20180511_142108.jpg
Our first glimpse at the walls of Crane Mountain

Friday

Evan and I arrived at our campsite Friday afternoon. We set up the tent, hammock, and fire pit, then got our packs together to hit some rock walls for the rest of the day.

IMG_20180511_152757.jpg
Evan researches climbing routes while I research how comfy the hammock is

IMG_20180511_162751.jpg
Evan rappelling down the "Glee Club Crack", 5.3 TR

PANO_20180511_164701.jpg
Our view throughout the weekend. Only gets better as you go up

IMG_20180511_172856.jpg
Ruining some landscape scenery with my smelly climbing shoes

We finished the day descending to the campsite as the sun set. We then took a trip into town for some essentials, such as whiskey...and ice. We slept soundly in the tent after a long day of travel, rock climbing, beer and cheap whiskey. We woke up the next morning to the gentle dripping of precipitation on the tent.

Saturday

The light drizzle continued throughout the morning and early afternoon as we waited for our two buddies, Dane and Dakota, to arrive. The wetness was pleasant. Not enough to get our clothes and tent wet, but just enough to keep us off the slabby rock climbing routes. Like the universe planned for us, as soon as Dane and Dakota arrived, the precipitation stopped. As Dane and Dakota settled in, the rock dried off, and we were up on some new routes in no time at all.

IMG_20180512_172051.jpg
Dakota and Evan on top of the Viewpoint Slab

IMG_20180512_172059.jpg
Dane throwing down our life-saving gear

IMG_20180512_173654.jpg
Dane rappels while carrying the heaviest pack known to man

IMG_20180512_195728.jpg
Sunset Sendage - Dane climbs up with Evan on belay

IMG_20180512_200515.jpg
Dakota peeks in while Dane finishes his climb

IMG_20180512_233637.jpg
Returned to the campsite for another luxurious meal over the fire

IMG_20180512_233704.jpg
Our bellies were filled with fried chicken and sausages from the cast iron pan

With a full meal in our stomachs, we slugged back a few of Pennsylvania's finest beers: Rolling Rock. When paired with our Canadian Mist Whiskey, the two complement each other quite nicely. Before sleeping, we set plans for the next day: climbing the multi-pitch ascent of Bella Vista.

Sunday

We awoke on Sunday to a beautiful sunshine coming through the trees. We then enjoyed some instant coffee and granola bars by the fire for breakfast fuel. After breaking down the campsite, we embarked on our journey to higher elevation. To put everything in perspective: all of the previous climbs we had done throughout the weekend had been directly below what we were to climb Sunday. The top of multi-pitch climb, known as "Bella Vista" (5.7 PG13), sits 510 feet higher than all the other crags we went up already. It's safe to say we were excited.

IMG_20180513_112453.jpg
Dane, Evan, and Dakota gear up before we ascend

IMG_20180513_121030.jpg
Looking up the first pitch of Bella Vista

IMG_20180513_121119.jpg
Rdy2Snd

IMG_20180513_144618.jpg
Looking southeast from the top of pitch 2

IMG_20180513_151643.jpg
Our fearless leader of the route, Dane

IMG_20180513_171844.jpg
Celebratory Rolling Rock swigging after 510' of climbing

IMG_20180513_170152.jpg
The squad, all linked up - Dane, Evan, Dakota, and myself

Going Down Swinging - When Are You Living?

We rappelled down from 5 different spruce trees to get to them bottom of the climb. As the first multi-pitch climb for Dakota and I, everything went perfect. Everyone was safe and had fun. The climb took us all day, and we returned to our cars in the dark, but, as always, the time spent was well worth it.

The older I get, the more it seems like I'm crunching time. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. In these times of anxiety, it's important to remind myself that time is relative. The old saying "time flies when you're having fun" is scientifically true. We musn't forget to simply live in the moment. That thing you're worrying about will come, and that thing you're excited about will also come; at their own times. Cherish time with friends, family, or yourself. You only have one life to live, so why not make it best one that you can!? If you don't live in the moment, when ARE you living?

IMG_20180513_171908.jpg

-Doc

Routes/Walls on Mountain Project:
Friday - Belleview Slab
Saturday - Viewpoint Slab
Sunday - Bella Vista

Sort:  

Congratulations @docroulston! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

Award for the number of upvotes

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

Do you like SteemitBoard's project? Vote for its witness and get one more award!

Congratulations @docroulston! You received a personal award!

Happy Birthday! - You are on the Steem blockchain for 2 years!

You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking

Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!