Anyone want to rope up Fri or Sat in Vancouver area?

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Messages 1 - 17 of total 17 in this topic
murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 31, 2015 - 01:01pm PT
Looks rainy in the forecast (surprise), so maybe a gym? I'll be carless and staying downtown.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Apr 5, 2015 - 09:45pm PT
You guys didn't think we just left murcy hanging did ya? ;)


It was nice meeting you today murcy. Come on back sometime soon!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Apr 5, 2015 - 09:49pm PT
That's great that you got together and that he got to climb outside.

Hope to climb with you soon, murcy, it's been too long.
murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 5, 2015 - 11:11pm PT
A TR it is, then!

Planning to be in Vancouver for an academic conference, I booked a late-Sunday flight home hoping that after the conference fizzled I'd find some way to do some climbing-related thing---like maybe sitting in the hotel thinking about climbing. But, you know, maybe even better than that.

So, ever the optimist, I posted the OP, and soon afterwards the very Mighty Hiker (whom I know in our respective capacities as Facelift stalwart--he--and Facelift occasional) rang my inbox with word that he'd be around and maybe up for at least a gym session. Great! Little did I know that smoke signals were even then being shared among the Locals . . .

In the event, after telling fellow academics what's what, I found that the area tacos had arranged a veritable ticker-tape parade for me. Pshaw! Now, I'm used to Canadians treating me better than I deserve (married to one), but still this surprised me.

Friday morning, MH and Tami came out to the conference hotel just to meet up. It was so great finally to meet the wonderful Tami. After a lovely talk over coffee (mostly about death :-) ) the two Squamish mavens conveyed me to the local gym. There, MH2 was climbing, and was more than willing to let me join in.

Well, it had been raining since at least Wednesday, and the Locals seemed to think this was somehow normal, though, as a San Franciscan, I know that rain almost never happens. Weird.

Finally, today (Sunday) brought what the Locals seemed to consider some kind of break in the weather (but which in all honesty is just regular weather: clear blue skies, sun, you know, everyday stuff).

So MH drove me and MH2 up the stunning drive to Squamish, where we met up with Big Mike, who is recovering from an injury, oddly enough.

Smoke Bluffs was the excellent call.

MH2 did all the leading, starting with Penny Lane (which MH seems to have had something to do with in 1975 or so). Then, I top-roped Crime of the Century (5.too-hard-for-me but just what I need) as MH2 and Mike hit another spot. Then down to Neat and Cool for Flying Circus, and down again to finish on the Mosquito.

Wow.

Wow.

And, wow again. Great climbs, all.

I am so looking forward to my next Squamish trip.

Tacos to the last, we had tacos at the taco place, and parted company. MH actually drove me to the airport, timing things perfectly.

Thanks, thanks, and more thanks to MH, Tami, MH2, and Mike!

(and amen, phylp!!)

murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 6, 2015 - 11:55am PT
More photos, thanks to . . .

. . . Mighty Hiker:


. . . and MH2:


johntp

Trad climber
socal
Apr 6, 2015 - 12:08pm PT
Whoos that dood in the black hat?
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Apr 6, 2015 - 01:06pm PT
Fun. Murcy you were like five feet up the crack and still shorter than Mike. Nice job.
MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
Apr 6, 2015 - 06:21pm PT
Good capture of the Murcy climbing stoke, Big Mike.

Murcy also improbably cleared the skies and reserved Penny Lane for us on a warm holiday Monday.

It was a great day all around.


edit:

An thanks to Anders for making it happen and for rescuing the kids in the photo above when they had trouble dealing with the absence of a fixed anchor at the top of Penny Lane.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Apr 6, 2015 - 08:58pm PT
Whoa Murcy, you scored on the weather...not a given this time of year. On your next trip spend a little time an enjoy Squamish where it really shines....multi pitch.
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
Apr 6, 2015 - 10:46pm PT
Murcy, Great! (crowd, timing, location...)
Cheers to you, hello Anders & Big Mike as well.
And yes, what Phylp said, too long!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Apr 7, 2015 - 01:46pm PT
Yes. Who is that black hatted fellow.. Lol

Hi Joey!

I have a few more pics from Sunday. It was a gorgeous day and we arrived at Penny Lane quite early.

Mighty Hiker and mh2 scoping out Penny Lane

Murcy performing his pre-climb ritual.

Mh2 did all the leading for the day, Penny was still a bit moist but he made it look easy!

Mighty Hiker getting chalked up.

A casual scene at Penny Lane

Mighty Hiking Penny Lane 5.9


His first Little Smoke Bluffs ffa and probably the most popular 5.9 in the bluffs. Still sending many years later.

cavemonkey

Ice climber
ak
Apr 7, 2015 - 02:17pm PT
How long has that park bench been there?
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Apr 7, 2015 - 03:28pm PT
Ya Tami! Some people call Crime soft for the grade but I swear that first move is at least 11c.

mh2 the stick man and Murcy

Mighty Hiker, mh2 and Murcy "scrambling" up to Neat and Cool

Mh enjoying an apple while mh2 shoes up.
MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
Apr 7, 2015 - 03:53pm PT
All right, Mike!

Good additions.

And here is the yaaards-stickman back on the rock:




Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Apr 7, 2015 - 10:16pm PT
Thanks Andy! Nice shot. Testing out the ankle gingerly indeed. Hanging is so much better in that harness..

Here's a few more. These are all phone shots.

One of the local monkey's working on Bruce Lee Vs the Kiss Army 13 a r


Murcy on Flying Circus 10a and a visiting climber on a little led route, Lieback Flake 5.9


Murcy sizing up the Smoke Bluff Wall


mh2 starting up Mosquito 5.9

mh2 getting it done.
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Apr 8, 2015 - 07:33am PT
Yes. The four m's. ;)

Hoping to see you soon bud.

Edit: not sure of his descent.
murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 8, 2015 - 08:11am PT
No Polish that I know of, moosedrool.

Awesome pictures to remember the trip by---thanks, gentlemen!
Messages 1 - 17 of total 17 in this topic
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