City of Rocks/Castle Rocks

Last weekend, Tamara and I joined John Platt and Brian Mahon for a weekend of rock climbing in SE Idaho.  We met up Friday night at the home of one of John's old friends outside Castle Rock State Park, Tom Harper and Hannah North.  They both have climbed through out the City of Rocks and Castle Rocks over the years, and we were excited to be with them at their home in the middle of nowhere.

After a relaxing Saturday morning, we made the short 15 minute hike from the house to Caste Rock.  Hannah took us to the south face of Castle Rock   https://www.mountainproject.com/v/castle-rock---south-face/105821826, where we could set up a couple of top ropes allowing the six of us to spread out a bit.

Me leading Little Time

Tamara heading up Little Time

Tamara likes this slab climbing

John showing us how to hold a beer after climbing all day

A crew around me on Castle Keep

High stepping on the first friction move on Castle Keep

John, Tom, Hannah and Brian looking back at the south face of Castle Rock

 After climbing four routes on the south face, Hannah took us around to an alcove on the west side of Castle Rock for a couple of other 5.7 routes on the Egg Wall.  Before we realized it, we had climbed the day away, and it was time to head back to the house.

With the weather looking good, we decided to head over to the City Sunday morning to climb a four pitch route called Theater of Shadows on Jackson's Thumb.  https://www.mountainproject.com/v/theater-of-shadows/105741557

With six of us climbing, we split into two rope teams of three.  Hannah, John and Brian made up the first team, while Tom, Tamara and I were on the second team.

Theater of Shadows (to the left of the large rock)

Making the 45 minute hike to the route

Hannah and Brian getting ready

Brian leading the first pitch

John following Brian

Tamara following me up the first pitch

Tom leading the second pitch

Tamara following after the excellent third pitch

All smiles while hanging on the 3rd belay station

 Tom and I switched leads on Theater of Shadows with Tamara hauling up the second rope in the middle.  After reaching the top, we had a couple of rappels to make to get down to where we could walk out.   Tamara, who hasn't had much (or rather any) experience rappelling (http://fadgenfamily.blogspot.com/2014/10/city-of-rocks.html) , enjoyed the free hanging rappel off the top.  Actually, Tom had her on belay for this and she was completely safe.

Tamara on the free hanging rappel

After this most excellent climbing route, we headed back to the house.  Here Tamara and I bid John, Brian, Hannah and Tom farewell and headed back to Boise.  John and Brian had a couple more days of climbing in them.  John's trip report is here: http://www.splattski.com/2016/city_grays/index.html