I hadn't been to Eldorado Canyon in years and have done very little bouldering there ever. Perhaps I am a bit too thrifty but I really don't like paying to climb outside. But since there are a number of worthy problems and a universe of routes, I decided to buy a pass anyway. Yesterday, I drove out there to check out Qigong, also known as the Schulte Arete, and 606, a Will Lemaire classic on the Gill boulder. Qigong looks interesting but the boulder was cold and clammy and I needed a few more pads than I had to clear up the landing properly. It also looks very hard. So it was off to 606. 606 is a well-known crimpy V10 that climbs the west face of the Gill boulder and has the advantage of being directly adjacent to the parking lot. I gave it a thorough looking over and thought it looked very feasible. The flash attempt was pretty futile, though with good beta it is very flashable. Anyway after some time spent working out the specifics of the holds, I was soon falling at the last hard move, or what I thought was the last hard move, a stab for a horizontal slot. I realized however, that a better option was to throw for the big sidepull on the right. I tried it that way from the start, stuck the sidepull and finished the problem, happy to complete it in one session, 5 or 6 tries.
It is interesting to compare this problem with the other V10s and V11s I have done recently. 606 is regarded as solid in the grade which is why I feel that Ted Lanzano's Red Wall Traverse, which is very similar in style is much harder. That took me 5 or 6 sessions and many tries. The visit to Eldo also reminded me why I prefer climbing outdoors as much as possible; the experience is much richer, more complex, and so much more meaningful overall. Of course the weather is always an issue but I find it is part of the challenge. Seeing the glowing orange aretes and fins of sandstone against the brilliant blue sky and hearing the distant shouts of climbers high up on the West Ridge made me want to head up there again, to be high up on a crag in the sun gazing across to the snow-covered peaks to the west. Perhaps soon.
Visit UK Climbing for Ty Landman's review of the year in bouldering. Good pictures and video.
Did you ever get the skinny on the Metolius Super Chalk?
ReplyDeleteThey sent me some new chalk, explaining that I might have had a bag that hadn't fully dried out. The new chalk has worked well. I have also found that on colder days, it is helpful to bring along some coarse sandpaper. Before tries I lightly scrape my fingertips with it. I find that helps reduce the glassy texture that can develop on my fingertips and gives better friction.
ReplyDeleteNow you just need to start hiking since you got your Eldo pass. There are sooooo many good problems up the hill in the Musicals, Metaphysicals, above Nightmare, and down in the draw below Midnight Frightening.
ReplyDeleteI'd agree with you as well on the Red Wall Traverse versus 606 except that the Red Wall Traverse is a tad more contrived for someone my size. I can skip a hold on it, but not as easily on 606. Either way, rate them B2 and leave it at that - hard.
Thanks Peter. Height can definitely help on some boulders but then again big hands aren't the best for small crimps. I think the best gauge for difficulty for me is the overall time and effort. Although I suppose by that measure, Gang Bang Arete is V12.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear about that problem. I was just at the Gill boulder on Friday (but stuck to the easy stuff).
ReplyDelete