Van 2004
 A beautiful day emerges as we walk the dusty path and approach our first destination - Zig Zag Wall. |
 Jay is eager to get climbing and leads the team. We will be on the cliffs directly in front of him. |
 Chris seems to hang in midair as he connects his anchor prior to being lowered down after leading this pitch. |
 A sunny, small grassy ledge provides a great place to chat, discuss strategies -- and get out of the cold shade! |
 Off to my right is a formation with at least two possible routes on it. Further on are the far cliffs of yet another canyon. |
 Jesse did a great lead on the upper half of this 5.7 route. Here, he belays me as I move toward the crack on the left. |
 On great holds and cool rock, I move upward. |
 Time for the acrobatic heel-hook! A couple more moves and I'll top out! |
 Like a scene from an old Western movie, the basalt columns of Sunshine wall stand like sentinals of the valley below. |
 This is Sunshine Wall - very hot in the summer, but wonderfully warm in early Spring. We will be climbing here. |
 A short hike on top of the canyon cliffs will lead to a narrow channel, like a secret passage to the lower area. |
 We will eventually enter the valley floor near the shadowed columns in the right center of the photo. |
 Jon looks back as we enter the the Chamber. |
 It's only about 100 feet, but the walls are confining and the only light is from the opening at the end, and a small porthole near the end. |
 A happy gathering: Jay prepares to lead while Carl belays. I'm moving onto a cooler ledge. To the right, Chris leads a neighboring route, with Jon on belay. |
 Chris on lead ... |
 Jay leading on ... "Throbbing Gristle" |
 Jesse in a classic pose ... |
 Carl, the Belay Slave for the day -- however, he did do the first hard lead of the day. |
 Jay leading on "Gristle" |
 Ahhh, Carl, what can we say? Is this Mardi Gras? Do you need more gear? Here, carry mine too! |
 The sun begins to set in the West ... there's that cowboy theme again. |
 The shadows deepen and the cliff dwellers begin to appear. |
 Jay and I enjoy the views as the last rays shine on the valley. |