Two Stellar Saturdays

It is March, and in the Midwest that can mean unbelievably good conditions or unbelievably bad conditions - often within hours of each other. I have been itching to get out climbing since February, because I want to test out my new winter fitness program and get some mileage under my belt before an upcoming trip to Joshua Tree. The last two Saturdays have had decent, maybe even great by recent standards, conditions and called for some climbing. The difficulty lies in finding partners willing to chance bad conditions for the opportunity to luck out with great conditions. Luckily I managed and my friend Justin from Madison came up both Saturdays.


On the 15th we had reasonable temperatures and just enough sun shining through the clouds to keep us warm. The goal was a mileage lead day, and we accomplished it with ten pitches of climbing.

Justin seconding Brinton's Crack (5.6) 03/15/14

Justin and me atop Brinton's Buttress 03/15/14

The 22nd called for a bit more of the same, but with a slight increase in the average grade. The weather started off a little less appealing with flurries falling on the hike up, but the sun came out and blue skies prevailed. All told we got in nine pitches on the 22nd, but upped the grade a little.

Justin on Easy Overhang (5.4) before the weather cleared 03/22/14

Justin on Peter's Project under blue skies later in the day 03/22/14

All-in-all we were treated to two excellent Saturday's to start the season off!