nrg (4/27-30) - part the second

Wherein Porter did reveal himself to be a veritable [moderate] climbing God...

Mother H(B)en makes a mean breakfast. Ain't no better way to wake up than bacon and eggs - especially if someone else is making them.

The objective for today is Endless Wall and the many moderates of the Star Trek wall. This also means the Fern Point ladders - which I was excited to show everyone.

Until Bruce managed to ruin the whole thing.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Bruce had laid down a gas attack that, with nowhere else to go, settled atop Ben and Porter like a pungent fog.

It's a cool descent though, and everyone is charged up as we make our way down. I suggest we head upstream a bit as I know of a cool 5.7 that's quality and close by - someone should definitely do it.

We make our way to Seventh Seal where Porter volunteers to have at it. Some thin moves mark the start but Porter is more than up to the challenge.

He runs up the easy middle section before the layback crux and then fires that too with a minimum of fuss.
It's a great off-the-couch lead for him and his joy knows no bounds. The entirety of the NRG hears his whoop.

And the fact that he can see a waterfall across the way.

And that it [the waterfall] is beautiful.

Ben shows some real grace and follows quickly.

Alas, but his grace is unfortunately, and quickly, marred by a less than smooth swing 'round the rap tree and subsequent dislodging of a rock that nearly beans Bruce.

We pack up and head over to the Star Trek wall which is unfortunately plugged up by a guided party led by none other than the General, Kurt Smith. See ya next week at Senenca's Cinco de Mayo party.

A bit more walking brings us to Beech, Beech, Beech - a pitch I'd done many years ago and I remembered as being not that bad.

I was a little wrong.
It's Bruce's lead and the first bit is fun enough - but the upper part of the pitch is slick, flaring, and awkward. Bruce does a fine job of leading it though. After seconding, I confessed that perhaps my memory was a bit cloudy and that I may have rapped off the slings at the 1/2 point before the nastiness - it's been a few years. Porter has a go as well and then we wander 'round the corner to A Wild Hair for Ben's first NRG lead.

Ben has a good crack at it including a few short falls at the crux before handing the cord over to Porter...
...who then proceeds to swarm up the bottom, places a few pieces to back up the committing layback above, and then just flies up the thing. Another whoop of delight and we have our hero for the day.

We then make our way to the mega-classic Ritz Cracker - which starts with a laser cut crack that just begs to be climbed. This pitch is tailor-made for Bruce - and Porter, emboldened by his recent success, even volunteers to have a go at the crux 5.9 P2.

Bruce is completely in his element as he punches his way up to a thin, though solid, belay.

Porter is up next and raring to go at the thought of P2.

Until he sees it. Actually looks hard close up. Curious that. Some consulatation is had, brows are furrowed, (possibly some bowel loosening here too), and the general consensus is that discretion may be the better part of valor given the hour. Plus, there's a super-convenient escape ledge right there.

So I get a lap on it which helps turn around what was turning into a doubt-filled day, and then Ben roars up looking like "the butcher's dog" as he pulls into the belay.
It's been a solid day and we enjoy a pleasant hike out.

Beers back at the car round things off with a spectacular pasta/bread/wine dinner that leaves everyone sated and, well, more than a little drunk.