Lately it seems like Rumbling Bald has been pulling me in.  This past weekend I was planning on saving money and staying in Columbia.  That didn’t happen.  After a quiet Friday night in Cola I was up early heading to Lake Lure.  I arrived around 10:00am and was one of the first five cars in the parking lot.  I marched up to the Cave Boulders (Kung Fu Grip, Rotator  Cuff, etc) to warm up.  I was the only person at the boulder for about 45 minutes.  Climbing in solitude was a remarkably peaceful experience.  The morning air was brisk and the surroundings were still.  It wasn’t long before a loud group of peeps rolled in and set up shop.  I worked on Rotator Cuff and made good progress on it.  I hit the crescent crimp 5 or 6 times and hope to send next time.  After that I walked over to the breakfast area to meet up with some friends and complete some unfinished business.  I sent Yogurt after a handful of tries.  Sending my little project was great for many reasons.  The most important was the feeling of perseverance.  In climbing it’s very rewarding to work something out, fail, fail, fail and then finally send.   Speaking of determination, Zach went back to his proj and was able to put up a FA of a problem he dubbed Banzai, v5 (eh-emm sandbag!).  Nice one!  I captured this on video so be sure to check back soon!

Sunday I went back to the bald and met up with Señor Grimbo and his friend Will.  It was their first time to the bald so I showed them some classics.  These little dudes are pretty strong and both put the hurt on Shady Grove.  I got on Bruce’s Problem on the way to the East Side and will have to return to finish it.  Big props to Ehrin who recently sent that badboy!  Rumbling Bald is becoming my home away from home.  More Leaf Man coming soon??

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My friend Shannon snapped this shot of me on Grease Pit at Rumbling Bald.  Checky check his style at ShannonMillsapsPhotography.com << So Sick.