T-minus one week and counting...

In the last week, we have closed down one of the coffee shops in Moab 3 out of 4 nights, splurged and eaten 3, count them, 3 meals out (what?!), and, oh yeah, we climbed a desert tower and some of the most classic climbs at Indian Creek too.

In short, our Moab/Indian Creek adventure was great fun.  We met up with friends we had made in Maple Canyon, Chelsea and Laura (pictured in the last post trying to catch snowflakes with me), who also happen to be on a West Coast rock climbing road trip, with a schedule very similar to our own!  Turns out they (and Laura's 2 dogs Titan and Star) have hit many of the same spots as us, as well as some other spots that we didn't have time for.  They are on a break from college (Cal Poly in San Luis Obisco), and are making the most of it.  

Chelsea showing us gumbies how it's done on Incredible Hand Crack (5.10)

One of the days that it was snowing and cold, Max and I drove up to Arches National Park and went on a great hike through the park.  The snow only added to the beauty of the natural arches and the surrounding landscape.  

Arches NP and the mountains beyond

Max running to try and join me for a self-timer photo in Double-O arch

The following day we tried our luck on our first desert tower.  These towers tend to be made up of very soft, crumbly rock, and one of the pitches was actually referred to in the guidebook as the "Mud Chimney."  People don't climb these towers for the rock, however, but for the amazingly scenic 360 degree view summits.  The tower we chose, Ancient Art, also has the added benefit of extreme exposure, as the last pitch brings you across the "sidewalk" (a narrow ledge with huge drops on each side), then up and over the "diving board" (where the preferred approach is to straddle your way up), and then finally up the dramatic corkscrew finish.  

Max humping his way up the diving board

Max after topping out on Ancient Art

My turn

 We then returned to Indian Creek for two more days of great climbing, getting up some classics at the Blue Gramma Wall and at Battle of the Bulge.  Sorry, no photos from either of these days. Yesterday (Monday), we were planning on doing one more day of climbing before getting on the road again, but we got steady rain during the night and didn't want to wait for the rock to dry out...  So we made our way North to Moab, went out to breakfast, and started driving.  Now we are in St. George, Utah, and will continue on to Las Vegas (our final destination) tonight.

T-minus one week and counting for me!

Sunset over Indian Creek