Big Fall!

I headed to Rubidoux as usual. I packed light, only bringing the gear I would need for "Minor Bolt Ladder". I got to the bottom of the climb quickly. I started up it without wasting any time. Things were cruising. I was on the last bolt before I knew it. I moved onto the hook, no problem. I even took a picture of the hook while I was on it with my phone. All the pictures on this page were taken with my phone. I'm debating whether to keep using it or not as the resolution isn't that great.

I top stepped on the hook, fed a little slack out on the Solo-aid, and stepped out of the aiders to free the last few feet to the top as I had before. I got my hands on the top arete, tried to move my feet up, and then realized there was a problem. Something was caught and I had no idea what it was. I was holding on with 2 hands and 1 foot so I had some time to think. I reached down quick and felt the Solo-aid, there was no tension so that wasn't the problem. I kicked with my free foot and felt an aider stuck on something, but what? I lowered my self as much as I could without letting go. It wouldn't come loose. The talon had already popped off so I couldn't step back onto it. I kept kicking with my right foot, no luck. I knew I was about 10 feet above the last bolt which was only about 20 feet off the ground. With the slack in the line I knew a fall was going to land me pretty close the ground. I had never taken a fall of more then a few feet on the Solo-aid and that was when I was backed up with a fixed line. I knew my backup knot was bomber and should keep me from decking. I fought a little more thinking maybe brut force would work. I finally tired myself out and without any other options, I let go. I wish someone would have gotten video as I am sure it would have looked cool. There weren't even any onlookers. A split second later I was hanging in mid air about 5 feet off the ground. The Solo-aid had caught me. It was actually a pretty smooth ride. I have a few bruises and am sore, but all things considered, it was a great fall. I was determined so I shuffled my gear around while I was hanging, busted out the ascenders and headed back up. Of course I had to take a picture first.

The lowest bolt in this picture is the second bolt on the route so you can see I was pretty close to the bottom after the fall. I was determined to complete the route. I jugged back up to the last bolt. I sat for a minute, I was exhausted from fighting the stuck aider. I decided I would bail. Since I was packing light I couldn't scrounge up any webbing to rapp off of. I had to leave a biner. Oh well, sooner or later you have to give some gear to the booty gods. I also lost a cinch on the first bolt (that has no hanger) and messed up on of my Yate's adjustable Daisies, the one that was attached to the stuck aider I am guessing. I still have no idea what they were stuck on. It's nice to know that the gear works and I am actually doing everything correctly. Nothing like a nice fall to keep you on your toes. I am sure it will put a dent in my confidence for a little while.

While I was packing up, I noticed some new heads on "Major Bolt Ladder". I was going to circle them in the picture but I can't see them. There is one head in the crack on the left, 3 head on the horizontal crack, a pin and a head in the crack on the right. I'll have to give that a shot next time.

 

Well the adventure wasn't over. I had also planned to head over to Riverside Quarry to see what it's all about. I just hiked up to it and looked around. It looks pretty sweet. I should have gone there sooner. Next time I have a partner I will check it out. Lots of routes and lots of room to develop some new routes.