Kate and I have been hanging in the Moab/Indian Creek area for a few weeks now keeping plenty busy climbing.  I haven’t been to psyched to hang much in the Creek in the last few years as I don’t really feel like it does much to improve my climbing anymore.  That being said I have had a great time hanging there lately with good friends and good scenery.

The iconic North Six Shooter

I do have a few things in Indian Creek on my tick list.  One of them being Learning To Fly, a short but burly overhanging finger crack.  Originally it was rated 5.13+ by Didier Berthod but it seems the grade has settled to a more realistic 5.13b.  I managed to convince our posse to head up to the Wall to check it out.  Much to my surprise I almost got the onsight.  I fumbled one short section a half move before a rest but pulled right back on and went to the top.  I didn’t give it another try that day as I was scared I could hurt my finger on it.  A week later I rallied another group of friends to head back up to the Wall so I could give it another go.  This time things went perfectly and I cruised it.  Didn’t even get pumped which was pretty cool!

Learning to Fly at the Wall. Photo by Sinuhe Xavier

Kate’s dad, Mark, came to visit us for a week allowing us a little rest and relaxation…. sort of…

Day one was the South Six Shooter, a three pitch 5.8 with a 2.5 mile approach.  Mark was a trooper and we made good enough time we were drinking beers before dark.

Kate and Mark on the final 5.8 pitch of South Six Shooter

Then we headed over to the Arches National Park to climb another chossy tower, which wasn’t exactly great climbing but the position made it worth it.  For our final adventure with Mark we went to the Fisher Towers to climb Ancient Art, arguably the most famous mud climb in the world.  The climb went off with out a hitch and Mark thoroughly impressed Kate and I by standing on the true summit.

The Summit of Ancient Art

A blury iPhone shot from the rescue