I've posted this picture before, I took it the first day I got here. I never realized I'd actually go up it in someway or another. It's crazy! I've grown so much since I've been here, and I can only attribute it to climbing nearly everyday. My friend had climbed the grand wall before, and wanted to go up it again, and I hesitantly agreed. Honestly, I thought it would be way out of my climbing ability. The hardest pitches were 11a. Although the 10b pitch, called the Split Pillar, this perfect hand to fist crack, was just as strenuous! We woke up at 430am, got on the wall by 6am. Had to wait for the part above us to climb a little higher. Started on Apron Strings (10b) layback crack into Cruel Shoes (10d - 6 pitches). Then we arrived at the base of the Grand wall (11a - 5 pitches). Tired, hungry, and sore, we topped out the Grand Wall with 4 more pitches to go. After carefully traversing Bellygood Ledge (named for the fact that you might have to crawl on your belly), we finished up on Upper Black Dyke (4 pitches) in the full sun. 15 pitches? Check. Grand wall? Check. Lead every other pitch? Check. Epic, post-climb meal where I stuff my face and just don't care? Check. Climbing is so rad.
closeup of the hard pitches!
I was so psyched to meet a lot of my goals in Squamish, the only thing I wanted to do before I left was get back on Face the Music (12a) sport route in Chekamus. I'd tried it many times in the last couple weeks only to keep falling at the hardest bit. My friend Brian was super cool and belayed me on it, and on my second try I finally got past the crux without falling. Then, almost at the end, my foot slipped off. I was so bummed! I kind of threw a little fit, mostly because I didn't want to go up it again. But, Brian convinced me to give it another go, and I sent it!! I never thought I'd be able to do it, but it sure felt amazing. To exceed your own expectations of yourself. So cool. I LOVE SQUAMISH! :)
Some other routes I ticked off:
Mutation (11c)
The Neutered Bovine (11c)
Ancient Heart (11c)
Pleasant Pheasant (11a)