Celebrated the 2014 Summer Solstice with a couple of ol' climbing buddies in our favorite outdoor temple, Tuolumne Meadows. I've always been fortunate to swap leads with great friends and excellent climbers. My cohorts for this celebration were Tom Rogers (aka qigongclimber) and Eric Collins (aka 50). Tom, a former Jackson Hole Mountain Guide, is still tying in to the sharp end at the tender age of 65. Eric, a young ladd in his 50s, still knockin' on 11s door & sending routes like Slab Daddy on the weekends. Our combined ages ~ 180.

Also want to acknowledge Bryan Law, Greg Barnes, & others for putting up high quality, well-protected, routes with excellent anchors.

Tom

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How many on the Taco Stand still do the 6 crab rap ?

Eric

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We celebrated the Summer Solstice with 17 tuolumne pitches in 3 days ;-)

Day 1 Friday June 20
Stately Pleasure Dome The Boltway 5.10b 4 pitches eric/tom
Medlicott Excellent Smithers 5.10a 3 pitches eric/tom/vic
Medlicott Donuts 5.10a 1 pitch (tr) eric

Day 2 Saturday June 21 Summer Solstice
Dozier Errett by Bit 5.8 3 pitches eric/tom/vic
Dozier Loud & Obnoxious 5.10a 1 pitch (tr) eric/tom/vic
Dozier "project" next to Loud & Obnoxious 1 pitch (tr) eric

Day 3 Sunday June 22
Razorback Dastardly Rascal 5.8 2 pitches eric/tom/vic
Razorback Slasher 5.9 1 pitch eric/tom

Eric leading p1 Excellent Smithers, Medlicott Dome

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Tom arriving at the top of p1 belay

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Eric following p2/3 Excellent Smithers

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Looking down from the top of Excellent Smithers p3. Tom strung together p2 & p3 in a singe lead. Unfortunately, due to a misplaced memory card, photos of Tom leading the money pitches on Excellent Smithers were lost :(

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View to the southwest with Pywiack, Tenaya Lake, Pennyroyal Arches and Half Dome in the distance.
Also, a party on Shagadellic.

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Prepping the anchor for the rap

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Me leading p1 Errett by Bit, Dozier Dome (photo Tom Rogers)

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Looking down at Tom from the top of p1 Errett by Bit

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Me on p2 Errett by Bit (photo Tom Rogers)

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Tom on Loud & Obnoxious (TR)

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Eric leading p1 Dastardly Rascal, Razorback

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Eric on p2 Dastardly Rascal

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Tom leading Slasher

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A memorable adventure with ol' friends in one of the most beautiful places on the planet...doesn't get much better than that. Already looking forward to future adventures although these routes sure seemed easier the last time I did them.

We walked out to the meadow from our campsite to enjoy this spectacular Summer Solstice sunset.

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