Shelf Road #2!!!

Blogging is sincerely the last thing I feel like doing right meow but I'm a couple weeks behind with a shet-ton of photos to post so here we gooooooooooo...........

SHELF ROAD TRIP NUMBER TWO!!!!!!!!!! FABULOUS!!

My older brother Mike and two of his friends led a University of Northern Iowa college sponsored trip to Shelf Road and I was obviously elated to meet up with them and do some climbing myself. I was also excited to climb again with a good friend, Travis, who had been pretty instrumental in teaching me to climb back at my tiny gym in Iowa.
The first day way pretty spicy--we climbed 5.10a/b-5.11b on Cactus Cliff and that grade range was a perfect challenge for me. The only downside was the relentless sun and the lack of shade on that side of Shelf. After we returned to the campsite, had some food, etc., Travis and I decided to head to The Dark Side, which is directly opposite Cactus Cliff, to meet up with some people and climb more before the sun went down. We ended up on Porkus Procurement, a 5.10d I climbed the last time I was at Shelf and had fallen at the top. We had to wait for some other climbers to get going and by the time we got on the line, it was totally dark and made climbing SO FUN!!! No falling this time so I'll have to lead the line next time I go back! Excited!
The next day we climbed with four other fabulous ladies and went to a different climbing area that was a lot more remote. The hike to get there took at least two hours because we were told the wrong directions initially. I was a little pissed to say the least. The climbing was good but we were in the sun again the whole day which seemed to demotivate the group and was generally discouraging.
Despite the lackluster second day, I was really happy to see Mike on the trip doing what he wants to do for a profession. I've talked about this before, but he's so patient and encouraging to anyone who wants to learn to climb. So, it was really REALLY great to see him in that setting:) Here are some pics from the trip:

Climbing day numero uno. Ladies and Travis.

Scenery! Mike, working a really sweet and hard looking 11. Next to Porkus Procurement, favorite climb of the trip. Happy Campers. Mike and Sam!!! Yay!! Excited about my new headlamp and hangin with Michael. Full trunk of camping goods. The Second day of climbing. The hike back. Travis y yo.I really love Shelf. Can't wait to return.