Double Date for Winter Storm "Titan"

Me checking out a newly formed, unclimbed line.  Far right flow, I'm bouldering the starting moves.
Called on Account of Security in the forground

What better way to spend a double date than sending sweet lines in SWPA?  We managed just that all whilst enduring winter storm "Titan".  This megastorm (that wasn't) may have had many other climbers quivering in their climbing boots, but not Tom Thomas, and his wife Mariann.  They were happy to brave the storm to join Laura and myself for a "double date" at the local stash.  Tom's been chomping at the bit to sink some picks into the local legends.  Our date went like this...  We met at Valley Dairy in Connellsville for a romantic breakfast of daily specials.  Eggs, meat, and home fries or "little cubed potatoes" as Tom calls them.  Breakfast was awesome as usual and we set off up the ridge for the crag.  We parked and made the hike in.  Upon arrival Tom and Mariann were impressed by the amount of steep ice.

A happy Tom and Mariann

We poked around a bit to scope things out and pick some routes.  Tom and Mariann quickly racked up and got on the ever classic Final Obligation WI5.  Tom was practically buzzing with excitement.  He climbed the line very well and ran it up to the trees for the full experience.  Here's a few photos of Tom enjoying the great conditions.

Tom, all smiles and getting started

Final inspection before committing

The full line of Final Obligation WI5

Mariann on belay, Tom climbing

While Tom and Mariann enjoyed Final Obligation, Laura and I checked out a few lines before deciding to try Big Nasty WI5+.  The line was obviously damaged and rebuilt a bit from the last warm spell.  This only helped the climb live up to its name.  Notoriously funky and usually shotty pro are the norm on this line.  I thought I might be able to pick my way up through safely and tied in for a go.

Starting up Big Nasty

Looked easy enough...

Deep into it and getting worse

Needless to say, I hit my point where protection was too sketchy for me and I bailed...  This shit was spooky regardless what the photos look like.  Tom and Mariann moved onto Called on Account of Security WI4.  It was in the best conditions I think I've ever seen.  While clocking in at the lower end of difficulty for this crag, this climb is surely not to be missed.  Its actually one of my top picks and always a blast!

Mariann in action

Climbing in the fury of  winter storm "Titan"

While Tom and Mariann climbed Called, Laura and I went over and jumped on The Awakening WI5.  It was much skinnier than the last time I'd climbed it, but looked good.  Here's a few photos of me climbing it.

Opening moves of The Awakening

the "crux" section

a few meters to the finish of this gem

Sopping wet and cold from the wet snow that had been falling most of the day, we decided to pack up and make the uphill slog out.  We hiked and were all riding the "climbers high" all the way to the cars.  What an awesome "Double Date" and a great first day for Tom on the undisputed best ice in PA.  Glad you two could join us for some fun.  Keep your fingers crossed for cold temps this week.  We may break our record for the latest day climbed here of March 3rd.  We're looking forward to sampling your mixed stash!

The aches and pains of new routes

Tom Thomas getting work done

Ugh, my kidneys are killin' me...  You're up... Were words heard frequently where local Pennsylvania climber Tom Thomas and myself set to work on rigging an incredible new mixed line.  After a quick breakfast at Valley Dairy in Connellsville, Tom and I set off to a line I showed him last week.  We spent the better part of the day pulling off aid moves that go against "common" practice and drilling from awkward positions.  Not that I recommended this, but in a pinch the bottom rests of Petzl Nomics will support body weight aid moves if done while thinking that you're lighter than you actually are... Also, All rests on the two tools incorporated with a 48" sling can be used to z drag traverse in some instances as I learned yesterday.  

How not to use Nomics

Here are various photos of us at work;

Tom, aided like a champ through some manky pins to gain a crucial point towards getting the project done.  It was a hell of an effort and when it was all said and done we were far, far to spent to even give it a go.  Tom offered to clean our work lines and top out, which is way harder than I could describe in a few words.  I bore the task of hiking all the kit (well over 100lbs.) back up to the car.  I'm not sure who had the harder task, but in the end we were grinning.  After we recover from the aches and pains of setting this new line... We'll give it a well deserved go.

Yes, there are harder lines... Much harder!

Where is this magic line?  Either one of us would be happy to tell you... in person out at the crags.  Happy climbing!