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Gunks birthday challenge

Original Post
Mitch Hoffman · · Fonda NY · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 220

So, I just turned 30 and decided to go for the birthday challenge in the Gunks, trying to lead 30 pitches. It went well, and in about 13 hours we were pulling the last rap line down after the last pitch. I had two great partners who swapped following and picking out the next routes. We also fixed rappel lines near the bulk of the climbs done, which worked great, and a few other parties were psyched to use them.

Here's a list of the climbs, I went by guide book pitches, although everything was climbed in a single pitch for speeds sake

Miss Bailey 5.6 3 pitches
Big chimney 5.6 3 pitches
Baby 5.6 2 pitches
Easy overhang 5.2 2 pitches
Son of easy O 5.8 2 pitches
City lights 5.8 2 pitches
Frogs head 5.6 2 pitches
Maria 5.6 3 pitches
Sixish 5.4 3 pitches
Morning after 5.8 2 pitches
Bloody Mary 5.7 3 pitches
Rusty trifle 5.5 3 pitches

ClimbLikeAGirl · · Keene Valley · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 15

...Soooo you did 12 pitches?

Nah, I'm just giving you shit. Sounds like a killer day of climbing! Happy Birthday!

Derek Jf · · Northeast · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 335
Mitch Hoffman wrote:So, I just turned 30 and decided to go for the birthday challenge in the Gunks, trying to lead 30 pitches. It went well, and in about 13 hours we were pulling the last rap line down after the last pitch. I had two great partners who swapped following and picking out the next routes. We also fixed rappel lines near the bulk of the climbs done, which worked great, and a few other parties were psyched to use them. Here's a list of the climbs, I went by guide book pitches, although everything was climbed in a single pitch for speeds sake Miss Bailey 5.6 3 pitches Big chimney 5.6 3 pitches Baby 5.6 2 pitches Easy overhang 5.2 2 pitches Son of easy O 5.8 2 pitches City lights 5.8 2 pitches Frogs head 5.6 2 pitches Maria 5.6 3 pitches Sixish 5.4 3 pitches Morning after 5.8 2 pitches Bloody Mary 5.7 3 pitches Rusty trifle 5.5 3 pitches
Started out as a great humble brag, ended with a smooth and honest self-discredit! Happy 12th Birthday Mitch!!
Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Derek Jf wrote: Started out as a great humble brag, ended with a smooth and honest self-discredit!
Haha

Way to go Mitch, getting on that many climbs in the Gunks this time of the year definitely takes some extra effort [and leap frogging (?)].
Ron Birk · · Boston, MA · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 4,263

I'm impressed you managed to do the long traversing routes like Maria and Rusty Trifle in one pitch. Didn't know you could do that!

rogerbenton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 210

Sounds like an excellent day at the Trapps.
Nice work.

PTR · · NEPA · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 10

When I turned 50, I tried to do 50 pitches in a weekend. After the first day (when we fell woefully short of the day's goal), we changed the rules a little. Beers and tacos now counted the same as a pitch. Not sure we made it to 50, but we still had a blast.

Mitch Hoffman · · Fonda NY · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 220

Thanks for the birthday wishes, and comical jabs!

Ron Birk wrote:I'm impressed you managed to do the long traversing routes like Maria and Rusty Trifle in one pitch. Didn't know you could do that!
Maria was interesting, but I had a great follower who didn't mind if I spaced gear out. On rusty trifle, I actually did the 5.3 variation of the fist pitch, which was quite short if you're counting, but that was #28, I we were all wearing out.
Jon Po · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 255
ClimbLikeAGirl wrote:...Soooo you did 12 pitches? Nah, I'm just giving you shit. Sounds like a killer day of climbing! Happy Birthday!
LOL Alli.. you're great :) Happy birthday dude and congrats!
JeanGClimbs · · Reading, VT · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 225

PTR, OMG, I LOVE this approach! Your attitude is so my style. I'll be 54 this year - love, climbing, beer and tacos - and laughing! Hope we meet someday and share some of that kick-ass attitude!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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