Proudest climbing achievement of 2018?

Mike McHugh wrote: Climbing related: Got inspired by Anton and others. Rode my bike to & from Eldo most days. Lost 25 pounds in the process. Looking forward to 2019 and doing more of this "rock climbing" you young people talk so much about. See you out there funk soul sisters and brothers.

Well, I wish I didn't live in B.F.E(rie).  I've got a few to loose now after the shoulder issues.

Stan McKnight wrote: This year I climbed my first el cap route!

I saw a picture of climbers on el cap laying on a portaledge when I was 16 and thought it was the wildest thing. Got into rock climbing shortly after, and 8 years later I finally made it up the big stone. Heading back in May for #2!!!

Isn't that Leaning Tower in the background?  Weird. Which El Cap route are you on with that perspective?

This thread is completely good. You badass cancer-fighting warriors are an inspiration. Lions!  

Thankful as a mf'er that I got to get back on 3 of my year-in-year-out favorite repeats. Life is always good if I can manage these in a year:

• New Dimensions
• Rostrum
• Steck Salathe

Goals I've been carrying along for years and also didn't get this year, but am now sliding happily and optimistically into 2019 (and may just as happily slide 'em into 2020 a year from now):

• Astroman redpoint!
• Back to the Hulk
• Evolution Traverse
• NIAD

Jplotz wrote:

Isn't that Leaning Tower in the background?  Weird. Which El Cap route are you on with that perspective?

Lurking Fear

RNWF Half Dome in a day is my accomplishment. Normally I'd say something where I had to try my hardest and really pushed myself. But the accomplishment of half dome was that it felt easy. More like a payoff for all the trying hard that came before it.

Honorable mention to Vampire-Valhalla link up, Cloud Tower, and Tatooine.

Also on track to complete 500 pitches for the 2nd year running. Amazed that John Clark upthread did 1000.

Stan McKnight wrote:

Lurking Fear

Nice!  I've just never seen the Valley from that perspective way out West.  Nicely done!

nathanael wrote: RNWF Half Dome in a day is my accomplishment. Normally I'd say something where I had to try my hardest and really pushed myself. But the accomplishment of half dome was that it felt easy. More like a payoff for all the trying hard that came before it.

Honorable mention to Vampire-Valhalla link up, Cloud Tower, and Tatooine.

Also on track to complete 500 pitches for the 2nd year running. Amazed that John Clark upthread did 1000.

Don't be amazed, half of it was 5.9 and under soloing. good job on RNWF, seriously solid day! took my partner and I probably 36-38 car to car.

For the third year in a row, my goal was to tick 300 pitches. It was looking a little grim when September rolled around so I had to kick it into higher gear for the last 3 months of the year. I'm at 309 pitches now and I have a couple weeks to go...

Spent a crisp, late September morning in the Indian Peaks running from Brainard Lake over Paunee Pass, soloed Lone Eagle Peak via the North Face, continued along the Mohling Traverse to Apache and Navajo and back to Brainard. 22 miles, 12 hours ctc.  Proudest and most satisfying day in the mountains I have ever had. 

John Hegyes wrote: For the third year in a row, my goal was to tick 300 pitches. It was looking a little grim when September rolled around so I had to kick it into higher gear for the last 3 months of the year. I'm at 309 pitches now and I have a couple weeks to go...

Closing in on this goal for this year, John, and think I'll make it if weather is OK next weekend... 9 pitches to go.
I hereby challenge you to 400 pitches next year though... hopefully no injuries for either of us.

Tony B wrote:

Closing in on this goal for this year, John, and think I'll make it if weather is OK next weekend... 9 pitches to go.
I hereby challenge you to 400 pitches next year though... hopefully no injuries for either of us.

Challenge accepted!! I hope you are doing well, Tony, and good luck for next year!!

This thread is incredible. Strong work.

Things I was stoked on from the past year:

Managed to send Jet Stream second try. A totally amazing line.

Got to guide Positive Vibes.

Had an all time season at Trout: managed to do 1 FFA and three second ascents. One of those was a line that I’d messed around on 3-4 years ago and found the holds impossible to hang from let alone move off of.

Bolted my first new routes in years. One of which happened to be my hardest route ever, which I think is one of the best sport climbs in Washington.

I also rebolted several aging sport climbs that needed freshening up with the help of WARP.

Pretty great.

Climbing El Cap in general, the NIAD, Tuolomne Triple Crown all solo, and putting up my first sport and trad climbs! 

Mostly a sacrifice year (house building) but, I finally got around to an 8-day canoe/ climbing trip that I’ve been wanting to check out for years. Oh and first Wingate rimshot!  It’s a pile but we had a good time and topped out without incident. 

Awesome topic!

For me it was the Evolution Traverse. We were definitely not fast, but I'm happy to have finished. We came really close to bailing after several hours of unexpected hail and rain on day 1.

Topped out on Skull Queen a couple months ago, super fun, felt great, need to get on El Cap next year! Many royal arches laps was a lot of fun. 1.5hrs solo is a enjoyable cruise. Tuolomne Tripple is a yearly must. Felt Mr. Natural for the first time and am now obsessed with it haha :)

Andy McQuillen wrote: My partners and I put up a new 5-pitch, boltless route in Icebox Canyon at Red Rocks.

Andy, I sent you a PM

For me, West Buttress of Denali. A long dream and goal of mine finally completed! 

I thought that this achievement deserved more recognition in spite of Princess's native humility.