Lazy Climber Paradise
Labor Day weekend, I drove out to Rifle, CO with a bum foot to see what all the spray was about. Rifle was said to be a world class limestone climbing destination. I was hesitant, but it did not disappoint.
I got up to the canyon about mid-Saturday and found Pascal and Mirthe on Beer Run 13a. Later, they took me down to near Feline 11a, but it was busy so they put up a top rope of Ledged Assault 11d. We camped next to a large Mexican family that was out partying for the long weekend, they were a nice, fun, rowdy bunch.
The Next Day, Mirthe and Pascal both went on James Brown’s Wild Ride 11d. This was long movementy climbing up a dead vertical face. I got thoroughly thrashed on it, and my feet cramped up.
Then we went to the Anti-Phil wall and I got to try Easy Skanking 12b. Some say its the best 12b in the country. And it was very good, I hope one day to get it clean.
On Monday, before the drive back, I got my first 12a (indoor or outdoors). Although short, I still count it as a achievement. Left Sapper took my 3 tries to finally get it clean with out falling.
Rifle was definitely a fun spot, I think people say they hate it cause they don’t want people to visit there.
