Easter climbing with my sweetie

Its Sunday, the sun is shining, spring is here, and the roads up to Shuteye are starting to be clear of snow. Time for a trip to Chiquito Dome. At 4000' elevation, it is usually one of the first big climbing areas in Shuteye to dry off. My best climbing partner and I (i.e. my awesome super wife!) took the 90 min drive to the dome.

When we arrived, the temps were perfect, near 70 degrees, sunny, not too hot, not too cold. We first blasted up "Not advertised" a 500 foot tall, 5 pitch 5.9. Oh ya. The views of Grey eagle and Shuteye ridge were terrific.

Tese coming up the first pitch

Typical views from our climb

We topped out on the dome, and had a nice snack near the summit boulder

Summit snack!

Well, it is Easter

We opted for the walk off, and hiked down a drainage. We noticed some cool purple flowers growing right in the decomposed granite. One of the best things about climbing this time of year is all the spring wildflowers! There are not there very long, so it was great to see them in their full blooming glory

How are these growing in the gravel?

On our way down we caught a glimpse of another couple climbing the route. Nice to see other climbers out enjoying this amazing day! We only have so much time on this Earth, every second should be devoted to doing what we are passionate about. Don't want to waste my life sitting on the couch!

Other climbers on pitch 3

After getting to the base, I was feeling lazy, so rather than walk to the other side of the dome, we headed up a nearby route, "Too old to be bold" a 4 pitch 5.10c. The climb is good and sustained, with 3 pitches being 5.10. 3 distinct cruxes, 5.10a, 5.10c and 5.10b. I have done the climb before, but its been a while. We blasted up for another 400' of climbing.

After the crux on "Too old to be bold"

We rapelled off the climb around 4pm. Back in the car by 5, and home around 6:30. All in all, not too bad.

Heading down after a good fight

What a great day! Fantastic way to end Spring Break. Next weekend, back into the mountains.....