I am just back from City of Rocks. My summer was vastly enhanced by 4 nights of witty conversation, and 3 days of (to me) hard climbing with Donini and my new friend “Tom from Maine.”


When I last climbed with Donini, in the early 1980’s, he was leading at a 5.12 level. At that point, I had been climbing for 10 years, and I was leading up to an “easy” 5.10 level.

The old fellow does appear to be in a rut. He is still leading at a 5.12 level at age 67, while at age 61: I had not climbed anything harder than 5.7, since 1983.

That was about to change!


After meeting Donini and Tom at our camp on Monday night for dinner, drinks, and enjoyable conversation, we rose to a coolish morning and drove off to Elephant Rock.

Jim led Rye Crisp 5.8, while joking about not wanting to "over-protect" routes. He finally set a cam about 70 ft. up: well after the crux. After Donini lowered off, Tom also led the route easily, but set a "wee bit" more pro. I followed Tom, and struggled over the layback crux without falling off: then cruised the remainder of the route.

Jim suggested Tom might enjoy leading Wheat Thin 5.7, then visited with other climbers, while Tom led and I followed that enjoyable route.

Then we were off to the west side of Bath Rock, to meet up with Heidi, who was driving down that morning, and to do some slightly harder "warm-up" routes.

More story & photos to follow!