The Route

This 4 pitch route was my first real multi-pitch route. Multi-pitch climbing is when you climb up about 100ft and then belay (use ropes) your partner up to where you are. 

This particular route was just over 400ft in climbing. 

It was also a 'traditional' climb, which means we placed our own anchors into the rock as we climbed the rock. (Like cams, nuts, or pitons)

The start of this route was already about 300ft off the gorge floor. We edged our way out on a small shelf to get started. I remember peering over the ledge, toes free from the rock - nothing but air below. The feelings that pop up when you first see that, have different impact's on different people.

I remember a huge knot instantly forming in my stomach and my throat feeling like it would slide right out of my mouth. 

Three to two, a little background... 

There were three of us that set out on this journey. Three Mississippi boys no less. We had been climbing together for years at this point, heading to a random crag 6 hours away for a dirt bag weekend pretty often. This was a big trip for us though, to this point we had only been / practiced on single route climbs (50-100' in height). 

We camped near by in the gorge at a random bend in the road next to the approach trail head. The air was ripe with anticipation for this big day. 

I remember turning a bend in the trail and seeing the entire landscape of the gorge, with huge granite outcroppings speckled throughout. I remember the feeling of, 'yep, this is why I do this'.

We made our way to the start of the route, keep in mind at this point only one of us had actually climbed trad before and he was the leader of the group. 

Two of us were counting on him to lead the 'hard' pitches and then we'd take over on the easier pitches to get our feet wet. 

However....

Planning for a trip and doing the trip are two very different things. As we made our way out onto the starting ledge, our leader bailed... 

The heights were just too much to stomach and he just couldn't get his mind right. 

... Interesting situation I've found myself in... 

Decision Point..

We were all strong climbers, but trad climbing is a completely different beast.  So, this was a bit of a shocker when the one person that was most experienced was backing out. 

Decision time...

Fortunately my buddy and I decided that we have come too far to not at least try. We racked up and sacked up, I ended up leading point on the first pitch. 

When you're starting something new - there's no changing the fact that the first step is the hardest, once you've committed you can't stop it - but - committing to it is the hardest moment to overcome. 

We committed, went all in, and didn't look back. 

As with most things when you do this, it ends up being something you'll never forget. The climb was challenging, but the views were absolutely incredible. 

When we got to the last pitch we faced the crux... A huge jagged boulder right in the middle of the pitch, hanging out over the route. It was completely a mental obstacle, the climbing wasn't hard, but you were completely exposed. 

When you start this pitch, you are looking down about 800ft and climb around this awkward and jagged boulder - completely insane. 

After leading this route and conquering it.. I felt like I could fly. The summit rewarded us with incredible views and an incredible feeling of success.