Exponential Challenge: Day 2

Get outside and have an adventure!
piz : )

Thanks to my amazing sponsors: Arcteryx, CAMP-USA, SCARPA, Sterling Ropes, the AAC and WIndX-treme

Day 2
Again it was cold and we were climbing at an elevation of around 8000 feet. The winds were absolutely brain numbing at the Sunday Wall. Our two chosen routes were south facing, but there was little to no sun and the outside temperatures were around the upper 20's.

 The Sunday Wall

 Ben starting on pitch 2

 Ben joining me on pitch 3

 I needed the wind breaker because it was wickedly cold.

 Ben attempting the last crux pitch, after falling on a heady section down low he aced the upper crux first try!

 The last rappel off this wonderful sling and block. Thanks to whomever left this baby for us to rap off of.

We took a beating that day. The weather never really improved. Some cams came flying off of Ben's harness as a gear loop broke. I caught a few in mid air and the rest went whizzing past me to the ground a few hundred feet below.
I led the whole next route just for the sake of time and we were able to warm up in the while driving home. After the first two days we were cut up, bloody, frozen and beginning to question the task before us.

Oh well, that is what adventure is all about!

South Platte Rock Climbing

I was out climbing on the granite of the South Platte in Colorado and found a roof crack that looks more like a butt crack. I didn't get a chance to try it on this winter afternoon because of the days plans but I will be back for the first ascent!

Ben underneath the three quarter inch right angling crack that we were able to climb last weekend. My friend Jason shared the route with us and I was able to figure out the crux moves and climb it without falling. We called it the Icicle because while on the climb, Ben threw an icicle from the route at Jason and hit him square in the shoulder from 40 feet away. Good times. It is just another reminder that there are many first ascents to be opened up in the Platte. This new climb goes at about 5.10+/5.11-.

Ben cleaning the gear off the Bad Juju roof. Jason invited me to check it out this weekend. Its a great short climb with perfect hand jams out a roof. You can see that it climbs pretty steep and really throws a great pump at your forearms.

Ben beginning the Bad Juju roof in the South Platte. After the 40 minute uphill approach this short route will make you work for the anchors.

Great stone and great gear and wonderful views make it worth the hike and drive.

I am really glad that you have visited my blog.
Thanks and I hope to see and hear from you soon.
Rob Pizem

And last but not least, don't forget to check out my favorite sites:

http://www.scarpa.net
http://www.arcteryx.com
http://camp-usa.com
http://sterlingrope.com
http://ColoradoMountainJournal.com
http://www.wunderground.com
http://climbing.com
http://rockandice.com
http://deadpointmag.com
http://urbanclimbermag.com
http://andrewburr.com
http://ladzinski.com