Due to unforeseen circumstances there are a few destinations that we never made it to, including this one.
perhaps some other time...
Dates: May 16 – May 27
General Information: “ Big Walls for "Rockaners" Very committing Hard Free Climbs and lots of hard aid lines. Climbers are often faced with mountaineering situations, bad weather, lightning, and cold temps.” ( www.rockclimbing.com)
“This superb rock climbing area is often referred to as Colorado’s Yosemite Valley. With steep, Granite walls soaring over 2,000 feet above the roaring Gunnison River below – it is easy to see why. Geologist Wallace Hansen comments, "…no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness, and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison." Adding to the drama of the sweeping vertical planes of Granite are the beautiful streaks of pegmatite bands that give the walls an appearance similar to that of a modern, abstract art painting of giant dimensions.
Within this wild and scenic gorge lies some of the best long, traditional, adventure rock climbs to be found on the continent. Because of the rugged nature of the canyon all access to the cliffs is from the canyon rim, where one must descend to the river before getting onto the bottom of routes. This gives the climbs a more remote and wild setting similar to that of being on an alpine climb. This is true adventure climbing that the prolific Black Canyon climber Leonard Coyne dubbed "Rockaneering." Coyne wrote that "rockaneering is an alternative avenue for expression and exploration that individuals may find lacking in the modern crag scene." Indeed this is true as many of the routes here feel more like being in high up in Chamonix than like being on your typical multi-pitch rock climb.” ( www.skywardmountaneering.com)
Decision:Scary, dangerous and adventurous, my hands are already sweating in anticipation; I guess that this is what drives us to climb. I have to experience what the climbing websites where talking about. We will see how we do. A very good friend of mine told me once “don’t look at the wall, but look through it…” Well… I guess, my initial response to him will be “I’m just gonna close my eyes…” All jokes aside - I hope all the climbing we do on this trip will help us to have a good time and not a disaster; (however we can probably handle a mini epic).
Time: 12 days – hopefully we’ll stay all the scheduled time and not run away with our tails between our legs.
Classics: Scenic Cruise IV5.10+, Porcelaine arête IV5.10, Russian Arete III 9, Jorney Home 5.10R, Escape artist III 9+/11,
Websites:
http://www.skywardmountaineering.com/
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