19/10/2022
Just back from the ‘Black’ in Colorado after a few weeks cragging with I had only ever heard about the Black Canyon from a few friends who had ventured that direction and few because most folk end up in the likes of Yosemite, the creek or red rocks. I was one of those climbers, the convenience of cragging on el cap, the abundance of information available and the relative feeling of safety with so many climbers about - the black on the other hand feels like total commitment, no bolted belays(I clipped 3 bolts in 2 weeks!), retreat reasonably difficult, no phone reception, unlikely your inReach would do much being 700m down a canyon and a handful of climbers about on a busy day!
Saying that this was an incredible trip with a huge feeling of adventure, something I didn’t think would be possible in a place where you pretty much drive to the top of the crag. Once you descend you feel so detached and cut off, a great feeling and something that can even be hard to come by in the alps.
I’ll let these pics tell a bit of our story, we climbed many many pitches, had many many tractions to speed things up, drank many many IPA’s and had many many laughs. Luckily we only had to escape on one occasion🙈. Astrodog was certainly a highlight - immaculate from start to finish (especially with the flakes start) but Southern Arete on Painted wall stands out (650m, crux at the top and 3 highest wall in the lower 48!). Hats off to everyone who developed this wonderful place.
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