Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Vantage Rock Climbing


If the weather sucks on the West side, you can usually find good weather on the East side, so Krista and I decided to take a trip over to Vantage (aka Frenchman's Coulee). We met our friend Travis at Vantage on Tuesday evening. Travis works for Outward Bound as an instructor. I hadn't climbed since last October, so I was a little rusty. The Feathers are the perfect place to scrape off the rust and do some short sport routes.
With sport routes ranging from 5.1 to 5.11, one can climb multiple routes in a short amount of time. Usually the Feathers (pictured above) is extremely crowded, with every route occupied. Travis, Krista and I climbed here for two and a half days with seeing only one other party.

Getting ready for the first route...hmm where are those quickdraws

Krista climbing on day one at the Feathers


Me leading a 5.4, notice the graffiti on the rock, not so cool :(

Travis stylin' it

Travis leading 'Don Coyote', an excellent 5.8 route and one of my favorites at the Feathers

Me leading 'Don Coyote', this climb never gets old for me

Me following a 5.9 that Travis led. We were both seriously pumped doing this climb.

Krista following our first route of the day on Day Two

Me leading Skipem' or Clip Em', shortly before I conceded my lead

Travis leading Vantage Point at the Sunshine Wall

Me following Vantage Point