I don't know what to tell you, there are no excuses. Perfect weather, in shape (relative), plenty of time, nothing.
Shot down, shot down like a clown. I warmed up, I warmed up quite good really. Then headed over to BDL. It was dry, no snow on the top, and felt grippy. I hung on the first move. I thought it was in the bag. 40 tries later I was defeated.
With my head hanging low I climbed the problem beside BDL and spied a new slab that had recently been cleaned. So, I thought a new problem is just the cure for my ego. So I walk up the hill and saw to my dismay that the problem was quite low angle. Maybe 5.6 at the most. A complete waste of my time... (But I'll do it anyways).
First thing I learned is 5.6 can be tricky when it's not 5.6 and it's a lot taller than I originally thought. I climbed to a good stance and realized no more hands and no down climbing. My pad was folded at the bottom so I wouldn't have to step in snow and now I'm facing a ankle breaking fall or a dicey slab dyno (with no hands and a sloppy lip).
Ever get stuck on a problem with no one around? Gives you time to think.
Like: If I yell loud enough will someone coming running?
Will they tell everyone that I'm stuck on a 5.6 slab?
Can I jump and not break something?
Will this dyno to the slopey dirty lip stick?
Can I jump that far?
Why did I stop training my vertical?
Whats for dinner tonight I wonder?
"Fuck" "Shit" "Fuck Shit" "Oh God!"
So long story short I stuck the lip and rushed down to find the nearest someone to trick into climbing it. I was planning my words:
"Awesome new slab"
"climbs so good"
"Super Easy"
It took another day but I got Tim and Mike to climb it. It was even fun to heckle from the sidelines while they stood in that good stance thinking all the same things I did. Though it might have been harder to concentrate with me laughing.
