Leader/Co-Leader – Jim Nupp/Zach Coburn
Participants – Ken Hodges, Mike Lafleur, Rick Laidlaw, Doug Laidlaw, John Stevens, Ben Litchfield
As you can see from the photo of Zach above, rock climbing is easy!
“Yeah right!”
Square Ledge is a great crag for people looking to push their rock climbing skills out of the beginner level and more towards intermediate. I think we all experienced that this go-around. The route pictured above is called ‘The Brain’ and it is a very trying 5.9 climb. We had four people top out on this route (Jim Nupp, Zach Coburn, Rick Laidlaw, Doug Laidlaw) and two more get close to the top.
While pure rock climbing skills are certainly important, this workshop was more about learning anchor systems, rappelling, belay techniques, and generally broadening our ability to “manage a crag”. Quite important since the workshop consisted mostly of current or future rock leaders.
Many of us agreed afterwards…this workshop was the best the club has put together since the rock climbing series started in 2013. Thanks again to Jim and Zach and to the participants, who once again epitomized what SSMC is all about; friendship, camaraderie, ability, and a willingness to push into the unknown.
