At the first overlook, New Creek Mountain across the way
Looking to see where we can make a drop
It's a long way down.
A panorama from the first overlook
The cap of New Creek Mountain shows the same sandstone ridge as we're on top of.
Ed says that on the left was the Smoke Hole Caverns visitor's center.
A panorama from the second overlook
Examining the cliff, looking towards Chimney Top
There are a lot of trees here, but just through them is Chimney Top, the local peak.
Chimney Top is a rock spire. It's probably a lot more visible in the winter.
Looking down through the trees along the side of Chimney Top
Doug, getting geared up
Andrew, getting geared up
Rachel and Ed, figuring out how to rig this drop
It's a log way down.
Ed at the drop site
Doug and Andrew, running a practice line to check out gear
Big, strong knots to support anyone's weight
Steve, Ed, and Doug, working on some fine details of the rigging
Rachel, preparing a safety line
A cam to help hold some of the rigging
At last, Ed prepares to take the first drop
Backing up...
Stepping down...
Starting down the cliff
Noting some loose rocks to be careful of
A panorama from my camera outpost
Rachel preparing to descend
Rachel going over the edge
Rachel rappelling down the cliff
Rachel rappelling down the cliff, past a ledge
Rachel has disappeared into the trees.
Doug backing over the edge
Doug rappelling down the cliff
Doug rappelling down the cliff as Andrew looks on
Doug rappelling down the cliff, past the ledge
A bird glides a few hundred feet below us.
Steve, back at the first overlook
Rachel ascending the cliff
Rachel pulls herself up topside again.
Andrew backing over the edge
Andrew rappelling down the cliff as Rachel looks on
Andrew rappelling down the cliff
Andrew rappelling down the cliff past the ledge
We didn't hear Doug say he was on rope, so we didn't know he was ascending until he got almost all the way back.
Doug pulling himself topside again
Steve backing over the edge for a bounce
Steve rappelling down the cliff
Steve letting them know he's turning around
Steve changing over
Steve ascending the cliff
Steve ascending the cliff as Doug looks on
Steve pulls himself topside again
Climbing makes a body tired and hungry.
Andrew ascending the cliff
Rachel looking down after Andrew
Rachel looking down as Andrew climbs up
Andrew pulling himself topside again
Ed ascending the cliff
Ed pulling himself topside again
