Another good day at the Gunks...

Seeing as how I'll be leaving for Florida in about a week to open a new restaurant, I won't be climbing any time soon. So I was going to make the most out of the time I had. I was meeting up with several people today, Meghan at Rock and Snow, and Danny and Angela at the base of Horseman. A foursome, I've never had one of those before... So, after suiting up Meghan with all the appropriate gear we were off to the Gunk's. Despite the many times I've visited, I'm still amazed at how easy the access is to some of the best climbing in the north east. We literally got out of the car walked down a flat carriage trail and were climbing in under 10 minutes. Yeah, I got a little side tracked...

Danny and Angela were running late so I decided to set up a top rope on the first route I saw, Black Fly. A nice little warm-up to get the blood flowing. After cruising that route we headed down the carriage trail even further to meet up with the rest of our group. With guide book in hand and eyes looking up to the cliff, like a Japanese tourist, I knew this had to be them. They had that look about them that I all know too well. The look of excitement and awe that most of us get our first time to the Gunk's. So lets get it on...

Getting four people to the top of a 110 ft. cliff is no easy task with two ropes. I lead, of course, and Meghan followed cleaning the gear as she climbed. Nice job by the way. Danny was next to climb. He seemed to struggle with this one a little. Trust me, going out on to the traverse can be a bit scary. No worries though. We all made it to the top and down safely. Next up was Rhododendron, a beautiful 5.6 crack. This was my highest on site at the Gunk's and it felt great, I only wish the route was longer. Angela did a nice job using some text book techniques and Meghan learned a couple of new ones herself. The ever popular foot jam and her first lay back. (tear)

To finish off the day I was looking for a nice easy multi pitch, Belly Roll is what I found. (I love the names) The first pitch might have taken a little bit too much out of Meghan, that or it had just been a long day of climbing but she just couldn't muster up the energy to finish the second pitch, so I lowered her to the bottom. Luckily two climbers on a route near by were willing to do a double rope rapell and let me clean all my gear on the way down. Thanks Max and Dan. The sunset from the top made the day a little bitter sweet. By the time I had reached the bottom the darkness had closed in and we were collecting our gear by flash light. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "I've never met a climber I didn't like." Today proved me right once again. Thanks again to Dan and Max as well as Angela and Danny for another good day at the Gunk's.