Hidden Valley Revel

It is quite the steep road up to the ridgetop and the climbers parking lot. It was one of the first crisp mornings of October and several degrees cooler at elevation. We started with layers on, but that didn't last long after the sun came up over the ridge. Being early gave us the pick of the crag, so we walked in to the first climbing area and set up shop.

There were many tries and good effort. This was the biggest group yet with nine of us. We even had one young lady in from NYC. The next move with no good holds was a challenge for many.

The views at ground level were good.

I was leading multiple pitches to get ropes up so everyone could keep climbing. I love the color of sourwood in the fall. It is a unique red tinged with yellow flowers on top.

I include this second shot of my lead to show off the sugar maple in the background.

One rope set up, but caution. You should not climb above this type of anchor, because a fall across these hooks could open the gates and the rope come out. I tried to oppose the gates, but it would not twist enough. You like my old-school helmet and construction worker's safety glasses? Nothing fancy, just functional and safe.

Here was the direction I was facing. The leaves peaked about a week later, but it was plenty beautiful this day.

A number of the pictures in these climbing blogs are not my own (obviously from the ones when I was leading). These girls took a smiling selfie as the next climber prepares to try the climb.

 And she begins.

Now it gets more serious. You can use some significant arm strength when you have get you feet high to reach the next handhold. All that tension can render you pumped out, where your forearms swell from the rush of blood into them and muscles temporarily fatigue.

Or between climbs you can chill out and contemplate life and the beauty of the surroundings. My mind doesn't quit working though. It is obvious that the block he is sitting on once fit into the roof above, but what caused it to come down? Ice expansion in the crack? Or lightning strike (The black streaks on the roof could be where lightning ran into the crack. I have seen black "flowers" on a face that marked where it struck.) Or was there an earthquake (many small ones per year in this area)?

Later on "besties" were doin' a different kind of chillin' at the base of that boulder- socializing.

Everyone got to try four pitches, and I tried a 5.11c top rope unsuccessfully. We were at the crag climbing, socializing, and contemplating from 9 to 4. No one seemed bored and the weather was pleasant enough for all three activities.

The gang gets larger each time we go. Given the backlighting, the picture was lightened up so that you could see the smiling faces. A good time was had by all.

Galax and rhododendron have become a symbol of the outdoors for me, since I spend most of my outdoor time in the Appalachian mountains where they are abundant. I guess it helps that they are evergreen.

And so I desire to be, not just physically, but all throughout, as the psalmist says,

"The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,

He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Planted in the house of the Lord,

They will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still yield fruit in old age;

They shall be full of sap and very green,

To declare that the Lord is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

(Psalm 92:12-15)

And "I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers," (3John 2) as well.