We began by going to Tahquitz since we have had so much trouble getting there. We climbed a route called The North East Rib which is supposed to be a 4 pitch (700') climb rated at an easy 5.3. We did not find it quite so easy. We did not expect the so called approach to include off widths, a chimney, and a layback. We didn't even expect to rope up through any of that. When we got to the "start of the climb" we had to pull up an overhang which is simply ridiculous for a 5.3. We got passed it but while we were working on it, we heard thunder and got some water sprinkled on us. Past the overhang is a steep slab climb up mossy rock which seemed like a really bad idea during the rain. We did not know what to expect past this section either since we all agreed that the climb was rated very badly and decided to bail. We think that what we encountered on this climb so far would have been more aptly rated at 5.6...which is totally still within our range, but not at all what we expected.
After a few days, we were still disgruntled about the North East Rib and decided to wash the bad taste of it by going on another climb. Christian wanted to go back to the rib to conquer it once and for all but none of the rest of us wanted to look at the thing again any time soon. This time, we went to a new area near Lake Matthews called Ortega Falls.
The drought has rendered the falls completely dry, so there were no crowds and we could easily belay from the bottom of the falls which was bone dry.
We climbed a dihedral (5.7). Since this climbing area is pretty small and there are only a few climbs within our range, we each climbed it twice before it got too hot.
We all thought it was a pretty fun, but challenging climb. Christian even had us practice falling near the top since the fall would be clean and it would give the girls an idea of what it feels like to fall. I, personally, have already had the experience but gave it a try as well.
The idea of it freaked the kids out a bit but they were little troopers about it and did as they were told.
Afterwards, Christian did one more climb on the line next to this one on a route called "Fingers." It was a 5.9 finger crack.
We had to call it a day by early afternoon as we had dinner plans with Lily's family (the family we went to Mammoth with) that evening and I needed to finish up an apple pie for dessert that I had started the night before.
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