Snow at Sutton

Sutton is snowed out for the winter. I was up retrieving a rope I had up for cleaning routes this summer. There is about 30-40 cm of snow on the ground. Have to wait for spring now.

Climbing the routes.

Did a little cleaning and climbing today up at the routes. To find the routes head straight up past Nemesis to a stand of maple trees. The routes are to the left of the main rock wall. The names are from left to right Mid-Life Crisis (5.9), Beer Run (5.11c), Stinger (5.11b) and Karas' Buttress (5.7/5.8). Beer Run is more sustained and harder than I remember. All the routes are approximately 15 m tall and well bolted.

Route Cleaning

Starting to clean a new route 25-30 m right of Karas' Buttress. It will climb a shallow dihedral with a discontinuous crack. Not sure if I'll use the crack or bolt it. It looks to be 5.9. More routes are availble to the right of the one I am cleaning.

Trail Mantenance

Worked on the staging area and trail up near the upper crags last week. Area in much better now for belaying. Routes are dry and ready for climbing.

Weak

First day climbing at Sutton this year and I feel weak. Problems are clean and snow free. Check out the 4 bolt route/problem on the huge boulder 10 m west of Booch. I figure it is 5.11+ or a moderate boulder problem. It is too high for me to boulder, about 10 metres.