Climbing up the 'Dacks

This past weekend, myself and 3 good friends indulged in a weekend of #Travel #Climbing and #Adventure

Our first glimpse at the walls of Crane Mountain

Friday

Evan and I arrived at our campsite Friday afternoon. We set up the tent, hammock, and fire pit, then got our packs together to hit some rock walls for the rest of the day.

Evan researches climbing routes while I research how comfy the hammock is

Evan rappelling down the "Glee Club Crack", 5.3 TR

Our view throughout the weekend. Only gets better as you go up

Ruining some landscape scenery with my smelly climbing shoes

We finished the day descending to the campsite as the sun set. We then took a trip into town for some essentials, such as whiskey...and ice. We slept soundly in the tent after a long day of travel, rock climbing, beer and cheap whiskey. We woke up the next morning to the gentle dripping of precipitation on the tent.

Saturday

The light drizzle continued throughout the morning and early afternoon as we waited for our two buddies, Dane and Dakota, to arrive. The wetness was pleasant. Not enough to get our clothes and tent wet, but just enough to keep us off the slabby rock climbing routes. Like the universe planned for us, as soon as Dane and Dakota arrived, the precipitation stopped. As Dane and Dakota settled in, the rock dried off, and we were up on some new routes in no time at all.

Dakota and Evan on top of the Viewpoint Slab

Dane throwing down our life-saving gear

Dane rappels while carrying the heaviest pack known to man

Sunset Sendage - Dane climbs up with Evan on belay

Dakota peeks in while Dane finishes his climb

Returned to the campsite for another luxurious meal over the fire

Our bellies were filled with fried chicken and sausages from the cast iron pan

With a full meal in our stomachs, we slugged back a few of Pennsylvania's finest beers: Rolling Rock. When paired with our Canadian Mist Whiskey, the two complement each other quite nicely. Before sleeping, we set plans for the next day: climbing the multi-pitch ascent of Bella Vista.

Sunday

We awoke on Sunday to a beautiful sunshine coming through the trees. We then enjoyed some instant coffee and granola bars by the fire for breakfast fuel. After breaking down the campsite, we embarked on our journey to higher elevation. To put everything in perspective: all of the previous climbs we had done throughout the weekend had been directly below what we were to climb Sunday. The top of multi-pitch climb, known as "Bella Vista" (5.7 PG13), sits 510 feet higher than all the other crags we went up already. It's safe to say we were excited.

Dane, Evan, and Dakota gear up before we ascend

Looking up the first pitch of Bella Vista

Rdy2Snd

Looking southeast from the top of pitch 2

Our fearless leader of the route, Dane

Celebratory Rolling Rock swigging after 510' of climbing

The squad, all linked up - Dane, Evan, Dakota, and myself

Going Down Swinging - When Are You Living?

We rappelled down from 5 different spruce trees to get to them bottom of the climb. As the first multi-pitch climb for Dakota and I, everything went perfect. Everyone was safe and had fun. The climb took us all day, and we returned to our cars in the dark, but, as always, the time spent was well worth it.

The older I get, the more it seems like I'm crunching time. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. In these times of anxiety, it's important to remind myself that time is relative. The old saying "time flies when you're having fun" is scientifically true. We musn't forget to simply live in the moment. That thing you're worrying about will come, and that thing you're excited about will also come; at their own times. Cherish time with friends, family, or yourself. You only have one life to live, so why not make it best one that you can!? If you don't live in the moment, when ARE you living?

-Doc

Routes/Walls on Mountain Project:
Friday - Belleview Slab
Saturday - Viewpoint Slab
Sunday - Bella Vista