Low Ball Traverse...

This shot seems to elicit lots of oohs and aahs at rc.com so I thought I may as well post it here too. Bob Arthur took this shot of me on "Colorful Corner/Stevie Wonder Arete" in Rock City at Coopers' Rock WV. It's a great arete climb with many a blank spot followed immediately by scummy features. The local beta gives it a v4, and I'd agree with that; but, this climb is classic and simply because the scare factor. The top-out stands at something around 25-30 feet, just shy of the top-ropes in Rockville.

This day, Vicky and I found it not knowing too much about it but really dug the first couple hard moves. What really did it was this: my spotter decided to hike up top to take pictures leaving his 13 year old daughter to spot me from 10 feet back and 25+ feet below (at the top-out). What a nice guy... but, he did have a Smithwicks waiting for me. I had no option but to top-out or die. Awesome climb, I'd recommend it to anyone with large cajones.