week in SOYO

[DaveyTree]

For the last three years I have helped as an instructor for at limbing camp at Calvin Crest Camp up Sky Ranch Road. This year we had a small group of four high schoolers. The first day, Sunday, was belay and knot instruction to get an idea of their level of skill. We were pleasantly happy with their skill. The following day was upper Willow Creek Wall.


Tuesday was Hawk Dome,








Wednesday was climbing into a athe canopy of a giant redwood on the camp property,








Thursday was two multi-pitch climbs at Fresno Dome(I took two up South Pillar and Fresno Flats)






With Jacob on his second lead ever, Fresno Flats, lead every pitch.




and he placed my monkey's fist!


Then put in his first trad anchor!


and Friday was the Talon at Shuteye since it was in the shade and could easily be TR.

Post more later!

[John]

That sounds like a great time. Did any kids get the climbing bug?

You need to get the kid lodged in the chimney a bunch of monkeypaws, 2x4's and tube chocks and sick him on some offwidth and chimneys! Screw him up early since wide climbers just aint right!

You weren't kidding, you really climbed a big ol redwood!

Thanks for sharing.

[DaveyTree]

Haha. Yah. That is Jacob. He def has the bug. His sister also likes it but not like him. He is a repeat from last year and definitely will be a lifer. I took him a few times since last year. Thought about giving him a beginner trad rack but still want to take him a few more times so I know he won't kill himself.

[John]

But what if Jacob goes down to Home Depot and scores some 2x4's and makes his own rack without you? What then?

[DaveyTree]

Hahaha. That's true. I will be taking him a few more times and make sure he has a few more things dialed in. He lives in Auberry area so I will be taking him up quite a bit and will suprise him with a small rack and one of my ropes at some point.

It is cool to see a high school youngster all pshyched for climbing and watch the growth. I have a feeling before long he will be leading stuff I will have to follow him on. He is already searching google earth for new spots....love it!

Did you notice the hummingbird in the fourth pic. We had this little guy flying around and checking us all out within a couple feet of us for about 15 minutes. Very cool. Also found a falcon wing on top of the boulder that makes the cave on the ledge at Hawk Dome. Would have liked to know the story behind that battle.

[susan]

Good on ya Davey! Sounds like a very good time for all involved! Looks like a lot of fun!

[susan]

Also, about the hummingbirds, they always seem to fly by when there's red around. Always nice to see the little buggers. One flew up to me within it seemed a foot away Saturday - though I had no red on... I thought it was a giant bug for a second.

Saw much wildlife other than the usual variety of deer, birds, ground critters.... Also saw two big beautiful owls two separate times. Had great views of their big faces and eyes. Grabbed for the camera but they were not patient and not having it as we watched with awe while they flew away.  Maybe the fire and smoke in those parts is going to crowd the woods for a while around the ridge. We should try to stay armed with camera.

 

[DaveyTree]

I forgot to mention the ashes on top. After we topped out the first time on Fresno Dome and started hiking down, we found a bag of ashes with a name tag on it. The bag had a couple of holes from rodents. The tag attached had a name with the date of birth and death. We left it as is was but thought it should have been covered a bit more. I wish I would have written it down or taken a picture. I imagine he was a climber and that was known by some locals.

I talked to another party back at camp who took some inter-city kids hiking to the top. They found it as well. One of the kids apparently found a piton in the ashes and picked it up. He was scolded a bit and made to return it.