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It's been a rainy weekend, great for getting leftover work done and going to the gym. I was thinking about how the season is winding down for most of us.

Despite this being my third year with a permanent physical disability, this has been one of my best climbing seasons ever. I did things I never thought I'd be able to do again, and achieved things that had been goals for long before I broke my neck.

Mt. Sill (14153') via the Swiss Arete (5.7)


Mt. Conness (12590') via the West Ridge (5.6)


Matterhorn Peak (12279') via the North Arete (5.7)


Bear Creek Spire (13713') via the North Arete (5.8 )


Matthes Crest traverse (IV, 5.7)


North Peak (12242'), North Couloir (AI2)


Red Slate Mountain (13123') via the North Couloir (AI2)


What do you consider your most wonderful moments from the past season ?

Coming to terms that my hardest and best climbing is behind me.

That I must now move onto something else in life.

In doing so, I must give it the same intense dedication, focus and love as I did for my climbing, the past 4 plus decades.




PS: Impressive COME BACK ROB! Keep it up and by all means, NEVER, NEVER, QUIT!


Edit: Additions.

Right on, Rob. I love your photo trip reports. I love everyone's trip reports.

Personally, the best outdoor adventures I had this year were in the desert ranges. Found a whole new wilderness area to explore and found a spicy route up a remote peak. It doesn't get any better.

White Rock Canyon in the Sylvania Mountains

Thanks all

Greg, I saw an entry of yours in the summit register of Red Slate Mtn -- that was cool.

Vitaliy, may you climb high and attain your goals. Great to climb with you at the crags this summer, looking forward to the ice this winter.

Rick, I was hiking past Mildred Lake a couple of weeks ago on my way to Red Slate and saw fishies swimming in the marshy channels south of the lake. I thought of you and your rod & reel. Best wishes, none of us are getting any younger.

Rob, we hit some of the same routes this year. I had a good year too...highlights of 2010:

Some ice in Cody (Mean Green, High on Boulder, and others)
A bunch of stuff in Red Rocks (Jubilant Song, Black Dagger, Black Orpheus, and others...getting close to 100 routes there)
Moon Goddess Arete, Temple Crag
A bunch of stuff in the Dolomites (Cima Grande, Sella Towers, and others)
A bunch of stuff in the Alps (Petit Capucin, Breithorn Traverse, Pointe de Zinal, and others)
Swiss Arete, Mt Sill
Hobbit Book, Tuolumne
Orbit on Snow Creek Wall in Leavenworth
Mountaineer's Route on Elephant's Perch, ID
North Couloir of North Peak
Whodunit, The Long Climb, and Fingertrip at Tahquitz
Royal Arches (plus some other stuff in the Valley)
A bunch of stuff at Lover's Leap (Psychedelic Tree, Scimitar, and others)

And the year's not over yet! Red Rocks next week, Tennessee Wall in November.

Nice work Tom Definitely some enviable ticks in there that I'd like to do someday.

And next season I'd like to do Hobbit Book again .. such a fun route. Last year when I did it I dropped my camera on Eurotrash, so this time I'd like to get some decent pics !

Happy New Year everyone !

Some fun moments from the closing months of 2010 -

Henry W. Coe State Park (Halloween)

(watching rain clouds dissipate near Dowdy Ranch)

Joshua Tree National Park (Nov)

Mr. Misty Kiss (5.7 - 5.8 )

Pinnacles National Monument (Nov-Dec)

Ordeal (5.8 )


Rebecca's Sailing (5.9)

Mt. Diablo State Park (New Year's Eve)

(looking across the central valley at the snowcapped Sierra Nevada)

All the best to you and yours in 2011 !

Seriously, I lost track of all the rock, ice and snow that I climbed last year.

Don't matter none atal really.... It is ALL GOOD!

My only hope for this New Year is that my knee holds out, as well as some other parts of my body that are beginning to revolt on me.

I will just keep at it till what ever happens.

May you all have a safe and fun year climbing!!!!!

Congrats on all your success, rhyang and everyone!!!

I have been backpacking and such for about 10 years now, but didn't really climb at all until this year. I finally got to travel out west and shatter personal altitude records over and over. I got to do lots of alpine routes that some would consider easy, but it was a whole new skill set for me, learning to cope with snow fields, mixed routefinding, and mountain weather. I also got to do my first lead and my first trad lead, in the Black Hills Needles no less.

I still haven't climbed a "major" technical peak, but the mountains aren't going anywhere.

My best moments weren't necessarily routes I did successfully but the routes which opened my eyes to the possibilities, often they were the ones I punted on but ones that I know that when I get the time (more likely, finding a partner to go back with) that they will happen.

Also the times at hanging belays with good partners, especially when they got a route cleanly that meant a lot to them.

OK, I started "thanking" everyone, so I'll end with one hearty GOOD ON YA!

Really enjoyed your pics Rhyang

rhyang wrote: Joshua Tree National Park (Nov)
Mr. Misty Kiss (5.7 - 5.8 )

Hey Rob, Mr. Misty Kiss was THE hardest 5.7 I did last year. I remember doing it at the end of a hot day last April. I was hot and tired and nearly greased out those slick jams. After that I knew it was time to head down to CrossRoads for a cold one

My most memorable climbing moments in 2010 were the ones that pushed me to (and beyond) my limits and opened my eyes to future possibilities;
1. Getting dragged up Valhalla at Suicide Rock. It took me several tries and it wasn’t pretty, but final got all the moves. Now I got to lead it – 2011 goal

2. Struggling up the ~15’ OW section at the top of the money pitch on Mithral Diherdal on Mt Russell….did I mention that I suck at OW Somehow I managed to squirm and wiggle up the thing and was so exhausted that I couldn’t hang on to a perfect hand jam at the top of the OW section. I had to ‘take’ and catch my breath. I was breathing like a locomotive for at least 15 minutes and sucking every O2 out of that thin Sierra air. Although totally exhausted, I felt so alive and realized that I really suck at OW

Happy New Year's
Rick Graham

ps, did I mention that I suck at OW

Great stuff Rob!

I always like those afterglow moments...you've done a climb you've been wanting to do...maybe something you've been a bit scared of... and have done so with your favorite partner...you're talking about it...future climbs and trips...shit weather has moved in...you're eating breakfast & smiling...better than climbing itself in my book.

Cochise a few days ago:


EDIT IN:
& sometimes it's those little things, like clipping a bolt

^Stone mountain?