If Only I can Get On the Apparatus

Headed to BKB tonight to climb with Steph, an economist from St-Louis who came to the conference at NYU last weekend.

We first got her certified and then attacked an orange 8 in a corner. We both had a easy enough warm up on it. We followed it by an interesting black 9 in that same corner that involved stemming and mantels, really using both sides of the corner and friction.

Staying in that same area, we followed it with a 10 that was also very interesting. Similar in style to the  9, but requiring more body tension to stop oneself from barn-dooring towards the beginning.

The following was a white 11. Vertical most of the way, with a small overhang at the end. That one was very tricky, it followed an arete, on which you often had to layback. Very few hands were solid, and one often needed to high step. Very tricky.

After that we went on the pillar, at which point Steph said, "if I can get on the apparatus, I'll be happy!" We worked two 11s that were fun, dynamic, and easier than the previous one. She also tried an 8.

I finished with an interesting overhanging white 8 at the beginning of the rope section.

Steph showed some great climbing, especially in the corner, where she used her feet very well. Things went ok for me, given I have not been climbing ropes regularly, but I was a bit too sloppy. I need to get back to more deliberate and precise movements.

This was followed by lamb sandwiches, poutine, and beer: nice!