Low snow levels = Isos Early

The warmer than typical Winter this year has enabled us to get up into some of the upper areas ealier this year.  Over the past couple weeks we have been able to get into the Isos a couple times.  The temps have been great and so has the climbing.

Kevin sticking the opening move on Tom's project
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

This weekend we had a large crew so we set to try and send some things that might take a little more paddage than normal.

This hanging slab has always looked incredible but the landing not so...
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Nasty pit stairstepped backbreaker fall awesomeness!
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Kevin eventually found the sequence to link the start out of the pit and persevered through the no-fall nightmare ahead.  Four skull and crossbones on the Fruh Highball Scale (FHS) ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ for this one. 

Kevin on the FA of Heisenberg's Dream
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

I also finished off  Heisenberg's Dream and once is enough for me
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Thank God there is a jug on the top of this thing
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

 The rest of the crew set their sights on less ludicrous objectives.  At least in terms of danger.

Brady on a crazy mantle problem
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

"Mantles are a lost art." - Tom K.
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Sara on the FA of   "Hello, hello, radio tower"  I guess it pays to climb at Font
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Kevin on  "Hello, hello, radio tower" 
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

I also climbed out a sweet hood shaped feature but bailed right Naja.  Going left would be a 5 skull and cross bone problem FHS ☠☠☠☠☠ on very suspect nubbins.   Not today- punt!
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

 With a ton of pads we headed to the Highlander two skull and crossbones on the FHS ☠☠ but failed to remember the opening moves.  Once we figured them out we were pretty thrashed and could not find the gumption to go higher than about mid-way.

Ari on Highlander
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Highlander not enough focus for this one today - bummer
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

 To end out the day we ambled our way to the Upper Isos and gave Tom's Project a good go.  Kevin and Fruh both nabbed the pinch.  Fruh got very close topping this amazing problem out- next time.

Tom's Project (one day I will get that freaking hold)
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Floatisimo!
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

Fruh at the new highpoint scoping out the blankness above.
Photo:  Jeremy Champion

L8er,
podenbeck