We knew our flights (via New York and Washington to San Francisco) were going to be hard to bear, but when our flight from New York was delayed by an hour making the onward connection impossible we knew it was gonna get worse, much worse… After some hasty negotiation with the United representatives at New York we were fixed up with connections via Denver and Los Angeles, and finally to San Francisco! There were three impacts to this:
- I kicked up a fuss, earned us each a $10 meal voucher.
- Our already marathon journey was extended by two hours.
- Boris, who had a different flight and was expecting to meet us in San Francisco at 9.45pm, was quite perplexed to instead get a text message from us saying “We are in Los Angeles.”, we arrived at 11.30pm.
We reached South Lake Tahoe the next day, after a night in a cheap motel.
Unfortunately the previous evening’s sun had been replaced by light grey clouds and a cool breeze, however, we headed out to the Lover’s Leap’s East Wall to ease ourselves in to Lake Tahoe granite climbing… Our first tick was the ultra-classic (5 star!) 5.7, Bear’s Reach.
Our first route, the three pitch line of Bear's Reach, is the pale strip in the middle
After Bear’s Reach the weather hadn’t improved – it was cold! So another moderate route was called for, Laetitia and I chose Surrealistic Pillar while Paul and Boris chose the campsite and a cup of tea with a biscuit! I think this was probably a better choice – Surrealistic Pillar is pretty hard for the grade (especially in the cold), a little scary, and a lot run-out.
Sunday night was bitterly cold. Paul even had frost on the inside of his tent on Monday morning! :freeze:
After warming up in town with coffee and hoping the sun might have warmed the rock a little, we headed back to the Leap. It wasn’t sunny and it wasn’t warmer. In fact it was freezing. But we are tough! Two single pitch routes on the Hogwild buttress were despatched before light drizzly rain arrived…
Tomorrow it is forecast to snow, a lot!
You all look freezing cold but the rock looks great.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL !!!! Left you a message.
Issy says HB too 🙂
You can use the snow day to go shopping and buy Boris a photogenic bright orange top 💡
We’ve visited the Patagonia shop, but Boris refuses to buy anything so smart – it might get damaged. 🙄 🙄
Boris may not like this suggestion but how about going to a fashion shop and buying a pre damaged one? Alternatively how about a charity shop? Or maybe some orange dye on an existing top? If none of that works how about a hi-viz jacket?
This is my first attempt at using a blog !
It was a relief to see that the whole group had eventually met up.
With reference to the previous comment at least Chris/Boris had replaced his ancient Ron Hills as there were more holes than material in them. They were not very photogenic.
Hello Doreen, I am delighted that you are following us. I led the route ok! We have snow at the moment. WYWH very much. Love to Kirsty and Cachet. I miss you very much.
Is is colder than you expected or is this normal for early October? I’m used to thinking of Tahoe as a ski resort!
In summer Lake Tahoe is a hot holiday destination, usually too hot to climb. The best climbing is Spring and Autumn, with snow starting in November ready for the winter season. They knew the snow was coming, after 4 months of very little precipitation, but it’s unseasonably early. It should go in a couple of days. The forecast is for warm and sun from Friday onwards. Lets hope the snow melts enough to get some routes in.
Thanks for the message. If it is any consoliation it is cold, wet, and windy even in Yorkshire !