Alex and Cara climb Cat in the Hat

March, 2002

When Alex and I were talking about the trip, he mentioned he would have a "friend" along. Upon further queries, this turned into "girlfriend". Then into "girlfriend who hasn't climbed a lot". Now I think it's "former girlfriend" or maybe "good buddy". Anyway, given
that we had a very short amount of time available, I asked Alex if we wouldn't rather just climb with the two of us. But no - he thought Cara really needed to experience a trip with me. I was flattered.

Cara prepares for the "John Peterson" experience

But now the reality. Why was Alex so keen to subject Cara to my presence? I finally found out what my role was: Bad Example. I could see Alex saying " Look, Cara, compared to him I'm pretty normal". But since this is the truth I suppose I have to accept my place in life. That's Mister Bad Example to you, Alex.

Alex leads pitch 3 "euro style" climbing over our rope and gear.

Anyway, we would have to to climb fast. Doing the most popular route in the Red Rocks didn't help. We arrived around 7:15 at the parking lot and found a large group of people wearing ropes and gear. Oh no.

On the drive up, I counseled the group: don't tell anyone where we're going, ask them instead. Don't give them any reason to jump on the trail ahead of you. But my plan failed: as I jumped out of the car the first question from the group there was "Where are you headed?". I suppose I should have lied but I didn't.
They confirmed that they (7 or 8 of them) were also bound for Cat in the Hat and that another party was already on the trail headed in that direction. Our only recourse was to hustle. I grabbed my gear and disappeared down the trail with Anthony, leaving poor Alex and Cara in the dust. We opened up a significant lead on the other group and I
started to relax. Just past the fork in the trail I asked Anthony to wait for Alex and Cara so they wouldn't get lost. Turns out he must have waved to the wrong team because they never got the message.

Cara following pitch 3. Faster! Faster!!!

When Anthony and I arrived at the base, we met a team that was racked and ready but not climbing. They were a bit cold and were waiting for sun. Even though half our team hadn't arrived, I promised them that we would be out of the way really, really soon and if they waited for us the rock would be a lot sunnier and warmer. They started telling me about the day before where they got behind a slow group and bailed after taking 5 hours for two pitches. I must have looked pretty pitiful though - they agreed to let us climb through.

Cara wonders whether or not she is having fun atop the 3rd pitch
She obviously wants to avoid eye contact with me

I led the first pitch without hardly slowing down. Fortunately, Alex and Cara arrived as I was topping out. Everyone tied on and we were soon out of the way with nobody ahead of us.

Cara putting the moves on Anthony (El Presidente of the Yale Climbing Club!)

The rest of the climb was uneventful. I let Anthony and Alex do the leading in "euro" style, sharing protection and climbing close behind each other. I enjoyed pleasant chats with Cara while Alex and Anthony literally ran up the next three pitches. Since we ascended together I was able to get many hero shots of Cara as we climbed.

Cara following the final pitch. Someone seems to be stalking her.

We were on top just after 10 and it seemed that we had plenty of time (my goal was being back to the pack at 11:30). But the descent was slower than expected: Cara was fine with going up but wasn't nearly as keen about the descending. Plus we were rapping on top of all the parties we had passed.

Cara and Alex on the summit. Will she ever talk to him again?

In the end Cara did fine and we didn't have any epics with stuck ropes or anything but we were running quite late. Alex made up for this by getting into an epic in Solar Slab without my help later in the week.

Don't Try This At Home, Kids!
Alex demonstrates the "No Hands" style of rapping.

So that's the end. Alex has graduated and is now gainfully employed, not that that seems to slow down his climbing career. But watch for the "Return of Alex", coming soon to a newsgroup near you.

Alex at Sleeping Giant, CT
What, Me Worry?