Trip Report
Looking Glass Rock with Blitzo (RIP)
Wednesday February 26, 2014 9:44pm
On the way to Indian Creek the other day we decided to stop and run up a popular climb that I think neither of us had climbed, I know I hadn't.

Eighteen or so miles south of Moab, a mile or so off highway 191 it sits, a hump of rock mostly invisible from the highway. Three (?) 5.4 pitches lead to an enormous, football field size summit with an 185' free rapell dismount.

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The arch in looking glass rock,
The arch in looking glass rock,
Credit: Jaybro
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Pitch one was quickly surmounted in approach shoes. A little bit into pitch two the climbing got as serious as it gets on this route. I thought I heard Blitzo urging me to put on climbing shoes, but the choice to use the rope was mine.

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Yes, I do own low tops....
Yes, I do own low tops....
Credit: Jaybro
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The route ahead!

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Yikes!
Yikes!
Credit: Jaybro
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Cleaning the self belay pitch I saw another party approach. Their body language suggested chagrin, that the route was occupied, we hustled along. Topping out two pitches higher in like five minutes. We set up the rappel and wandered to the summit for photos and to take in the 360° view.
I can't speak for Blitzo, but I would reccomend it! The summit was nice enough I left some Blitzo there.

Me 'n the Blute pose for our summit portrait
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Credit: Jaybro
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And a word for our sponsor!
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Credit: Jaybro
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The egress;
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Credit: Jaybro
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I really like taking him on these various adventures. It makes me think of my friend and imagine how fun it would be to share these times, and remind me how thankful I am for the times we did share, his was a comfortable and insightful presence to share. These times also help me think how so many people enjoyed his company over the years. Spreading some of his ashes in these spots is a way to both remember and let go.

Thanks Blitzo!

Party on top of pitch one
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Route follows skyline more or less
Route follows skyline more or less
Credit: Jaybro
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Onward
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Credit: Jaybro
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  Trip Report Views: 1,870
Jaybro
About the Author
Jaybro is a social climber from Wolf City, Wyoming

Comments
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
  Feb 26, 2014 - 09:51pm PT
Very nice Jay. For this old gal a classic with the best rappell.
You've been good to Blitzo. Living on and living large through you.

Susan
susan peplow

climber
Joshua Tree, CA
  Feb 26, 2014 - 10:06pm PT
Thanks Jay, I hauled our friend around the Keys Ranch Tour on Sunday but it was a bit of a bust with a Ranger in the front and volunteer dude in the back. Had ever desire to leave a little of Blitzo at an old homestead like that. Wasn't able to pull it off.

Glad he's off on some cool travels..you need more tins!

xoxo
Daphne

Trad climber
Northern California
  Feb 26, 2014 - 11:44pm PT
Great trip report-- and great to know he's part of so many amazing places.
Wade Icey

Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
  Feb 27, 2014 - 12:34am PT
Thanks Jaybro.
nice,
RyanD

climber
  Feb 27, 2014 - 01:23am PT
Very cool & fitting tribute.Thanks for the share.
MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
  Feb 27, 2014 - 10:29am PT
Very nice, Jay.
crunch

Social climber
CO
  Feb 27, 2014 - 10:50am PT

Nice work!
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
  Feb 27, 2014 - 06:13pm PT

How wuz the horizontal climbing, Jay? hee hee hee. . .

Great shot of you and the Blute on the summit!
Leggs

Sport climber
Made in California, living in The Old Pueblo
  Feb 27, 2014 - 06:16pm PT
beautiful, jay ... thank you for sharing your adventure with us and Bill.


~peace
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Feb 27, 2014 - 08:20pm PT
I wish I had known blitzo,
Thanks Jaybro!!!!!
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA/Joshua Tree
  Feb 28, 2014 - 02:11am PT
Very cool Jay! Billy would be so proud of this.
scuffy b

climber
heading slowly NNW
  Feb 28, 2014 - 12:21pm PT
Nice Jay.

Since Blitzo was mostly water, He's going all over the world now.
Part of the cloudy sky I'm looking at out the window is Blitzo,
and Brutus, and Bruce, and Becca, and Jim...
10b4me

Social climber
Lida Junction
  Mar 12, 2014 - 10:34am PT
Bump
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Mar 12, 2014 - 12:21pm PT
Cool
Go