I was back in the Valley last weekend to enjoy the sun. Very glad to have made it considering the rain coming down right now. My c0-worker and I did a quick run up After-Six on Saturday afternoon to get our systems dialed. We figured it would be a nice warm up for Sunday's trip up Royal Arches.
napping After-Six
On Sunday morning we were the first party on Royal Arches at around 7. However, by the time I was at the top of the pitch there were three parties on our heels. They chased us most of the way up the route but we managed to keep our distance. Below the rope-swing pendulum I took the hand crack variation to give my partner a chance to hone his hand crack skills. A party of two caught us at the next belay and we let them and soloist pass us by. The left traversing pitch after the pendulum was an absolute waterfall. It was incredible watching the second climb climb barefoot through the cascading water with Half-Dome as the backdrop.
All in all the climb was stellar and the barefoot descent was a real treat. I love walking around up there between Washington Column and North Dome. Barefoot on bare granite. Can't beat it.
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