On Sunday, April 18, 2010 I went to Pinnacles National Monument with Kristian Eide, Marie Cardenas and Larry Wright. We climbed Swallow Crack (5.6) on Discovery Wall. Kristian led first and here I am following.
At a ledge before heading up the ramp to the left.
On the ramp. It felt a lot steeper than it looks in the picture, and was rather awkwardly angled, often lacking in solid holds. The sun was also shining right in my face here. Surprisingly tough for a 5.6, but then I haven't climbed outside in a while.
Next Larry was to lead, but he found a snake hiding in the crack in which you put your first piece! So this was a little worrisome.
We wanted to be sure it wasn't a rattlesnake. Some other climbers took a look and assured us it was a gopher snake, which is nonvenomous. Looking it up later on the internet it seems they were right.
Larry placed the cam as shown in the previous pictures and did a fine job on the climb.
I took out the cam at the bottom so the snake wouldn't be bothered, and it didn't bother us although it was a little scary climbing past it.
Larry on the ramp with Kristian and Marie below.
Weather was perfect with temperatures in the 70s and we were in the shade during the afternoon. A wonderful day for climbing.
Climbers on another pinnacle.
Kristian cleaned for Larry and then Marie led quickly and I cleaned for her. That was it for the day since we had to catch the shuttle back to the parking lot.
