Sam's RVtastic Life: Post Desert Tower climbing rest day blog with an extra long title

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Post Desert Tower climbing rest day blog with an extra long title

This past week has been largely occupied with summit bagging and naturally some modeling.

I'm sure you're all exclaiming "summit bagging in the desert?!" well yes in fact there are some pretty bitchin' desert towers that are extra super fun to climb. So on sunday John, Jane, Hayden and I set off up to the Bridger Jacks to throw John at a tower for his first multi-pitch climb, first desert tower, first climbing experience in the desert and first full pitch of rock climbing. Some might wonder if this was throwing him in the deep end, and to that I must respond 'what better way to learn to climb, but on a crumbling hunk of rock?'

Basicly, John slayed the tower with minimal cursing and maximum good attitude. After descending from Easter Island Jane, Hayden and I cruise up the route Vision Quest on the King of Pain which was awesome, as it was a completely new summit for myself and those two are always great to climb with. After getting back down to solid ground at about 5:30 John and Jane cruised off to get cars sorted out, leaving me with Hayden's infectious enthusiasm and desire to climb Ziji a 4 pitch 5.12 and a new route for me. So we set off with great haste as we had to race the setting sun. Luckily I didn't flail too hard and we made it up in great time with only a few hangs on my part allowing my to do the last pitch in the dark hoping the light splotches were decent places for my feet and an extra-memorable ending to the day!

The next day we teamed up with a nice fellow named Troutman and cruised up the North Six Shooter (another new summit for me) with some spectacular climbing, plenty of hiking and a stellar view from the top. While it was a bit windy this only served to maintain the sending temperatures, allowing us to schralp the gnar in the best way possible.

After the North Six Shooter I went in to Moab to meet up with Dan, a professional photographer I met in Yosemite to do some more rock wrestling and picture taking. We wound up climbing Ancient Art in the Fisher Towers and the Cobra Tower (a new summit for me). I got to do a head stand on the Cobra and a partial one on Ancient Art (the winds and some timidity prevented full extension). The Cobra was a bit of a unique experience as I climbed it for the first time at night for a pretty ballin' night shoot, there will be cool pictures in a few weeks I would imagine.

While with those guys I modeled some Feathered Friends products, did some more climbing shots and some trail running shots. Perhaps I'll pick up professional modeling...or not.