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As the summer season winds down I've found myself shifting away from the hiking and biking I'd been enjoying and spending more time rock climbing instead.  After bouldering the week before, Hugh and I decided it was time to stop being lazy, get on a rope, and climb some actual routes.  We had a late afternoon start, but with no sign of a storm we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed up the pass. 

Hugh led the first pitch called "Ready," a straightforward 5.8.  He made it look easy, moving methodically, but without much apparent effort.  "Are you going to lower?", I asked.  Hugh replied, "Nah dude, I'll just rap it.  Off belay"  Immediately after setting up for the toprope he came sliding down the now doubled rope.  I tied in and started climbing.  The route was vertical but the holds were huge, and I took little time topping out.

After getting lowered down I decided I wanted to lead the pitch I had just climbed.  Given that my only previous lead had been 20-30 feet of five-nothing climbing on Mt. Olympus, this was a big deal.  With my draws ready, hands chalked, and mind focused, I started up the pitch.  Thankfully, the first two bolts were on the easiest part of the climb, and I felt entirely comfortable by the time I reached the trickier top section of the route.  I've never felt so focused climbing in my life!

Emboldened by the first route, we tackled the next route, "Set," rated at 5.9.  Hugh led first, battling a dihedral with an overhanging bulge before traversing left, reaching high, and climbing the last face to the top.  It definitely looked tricky for 5.9, but I psyched myself up for another lead.  I really felt in the zone on this climb.  I grunted my way past that overhanging bulge that formed the crux of the route and complete led my second lead.  Hugh liked this pitch so much he did it again on toprope.

A couple other guys (including Brian from Aspen Expeditions) showed up and started work on "Ready," the first route we did.  Although the light was fading and my stomach was rumbling, I had Hugh string the rope from the top of the last route on the wall, "Go!", a 5.10a.  My legs were shaky and my arms were achy, but I felt confident heading up the last climb of the day.  Like "Set," the bottom of this route is the most challenging part.  The holds were actually pretty good, however, and I had no more trouble with "Go!" than the 5.9 we had just climbed.  Hugh climbed it after me, despite his plans to go bowling later that night. How he planned to hold onto a bowling ball I have no idea. 

Satisfied, we packed up, bid farewell to the other climbers at the rock, and tried to make our way back to the car without falling on the slippery trail (we came close several times).  From there, it was directly to Zane's for burgers, beers, and some Rugby World Cup on TV.