Highlights:
6:00 wake-up, breakfast is self-serve granola.
As we head over to the Finger, both Matt (Pip) and Wen are not feeling
well. Wen decides to stay behind at camp. The climb up to the
saddle is steep and the rocks are crumbly. When we get to the top,
a scared Jenn lashes out at Matt and Jeff, leading to a general check-in
and discussion. While Matt and Jeff set the ropes, we hang out, get
into harnesses and try to warm up. The climb requires three pitches
- the first is a short fixed line, then a longer belay, and a final fixed
line to the top. We get very good at tying prussic knots. Jenn
pops her knee out going up the first pitch but decides to continue climbing.
Although Wen has stayed at camp, she cheers us on from below. The
climb goes smoothly for everyone and we finally are able to warm up in the
sun on the summit. After taking lots of pictures, we discover that climbing
down can be just as challenging as climbing up. The final belay down
is fun for some, not so fun for others. We make our way back to camp
and head down off the Grandstand to the basin below where we will be spending
solo. Jeff and Matt scout out solo sites while we get ready for dinner
and several people read about their
animal medicine. Over
dinner we get Mac's autobiography. Before going out on solo, we have
our second
medicine
wheel: green beads for the south, innocence and responsibility. After
a briefing on solo and a quote, Jeff and Matt lead us to our solo sites.
