Climbing at Ekoberget on Sunday

_MAL6661.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

On Sunday I joined Charlotte, Pia & Johanna for an afternoon of climbing at Ekoberget. It was crowded when we arrived around noon, with many of the easier routes already occupied. With some trouble, we managed to set up a top rope on one of the anchors. To do this we walked around to the top, set up an anchor on a tree there, and I rappelled down and traversed up to the anchor. It was scary but we managed. We then tried to climb the crack to the left of the anchor, but it proved too difficult due to the distance of the anchor from the crack. The route under the anchor was fun but at 7b a bit too hard for us. Finally we got to climb a relatively easy 5c. I led it without difficulty and the girls climbed afterward.

There were lots of familiar faces at the cliff, including Sara, shown here climbing a 6c with the moon and an airplane in the sky behind her.

After climbing, I took a dip in the sea beside the cliff. The water was cold, but the warm evening sunlight felt great on my skin once I got out. I'm looking forward to more great outdoor climbing this summer!

My first outdoor lead climb

_MAL1073.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

This morning at 9 o’clock — no, make that 3 P.M. — I hooked up with Anna for a bit of climbing at Ekoberget just outside of town. It was my first time there, and I made the mistake of thinking I could find my way based soley on one glance at the map. This was not the case. Suffice it to say that the route there is somewhat circuitous.

After a bit of driving around, we finally found the way there and even managed to get in a bit of climbing. I did my first outdoor lead-climb, and was happy to make it to the top without falling. I'll practice falling while leading some other day, and probably indoors.

Today was also the first time for me to use the some new goodies I brought from the ’States. The rope, quick-draws, and carabiners got their first taste of rock today, and seemed to work well.

It was warm and sunny when we arrived, but the clouds began to move in after about an hour or so, shortly after Matt & Lisa joined us at the cliff. We had intermittent sunshine the rest of the time there. Anna didn't get in a lead-climb this time around, but there's always next time. She did get some nice photos of me though. Thanks, Anna!

The day was documented in 13 photos.