Double-Double

Well I finally made it down to St. George for a "Winter" climbing trip with my friend Stefan. We had postponed the trip two previous times due to scheduling difficulties and weather, but persevered and made it down. We met up with an old friend Eric, now living and teaching in Cedar City, and hit three different areas in three days.

Overall it was a great trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the warm rock, plentiful (and mostly well bolted) routes, and complete lack of crowds. We saw one person the entire time...the author of the guide book who put up about 400 routes in the area in the last decade. And I got to fulfill a long-neglected In-N-Out fix, hence the title "double-double," which is their signature burger and one of only four menu items, unless of course you know the "secret menu" (unlike Eric).

Here are some of my favorite photos:

Day 1 we visited an area called the Prophesy Wall...
moderate, well bolted routes abound.
Stefan's camper patiently waits....

Eric belaying Stefan on a classic "5.10" at
the Prophesy Wall.

Eric stepping up and leading a super fun and moderate
(but somewhat scary looking) route at the Zen Wall,
just outside of Santa Clara.

That's me on a moderate, but exposed
route at the Zen Wall.

Stefan leading at the Zen Wall.

Oh for a macro lens. Beautiful Yucca...
but poor depth of focus. Still like the shot though.

Eric and Dana getting ready to climb at the very cobbly
Parowan Gap, just out side of Cedar City.

-Chris