Things to Do While Waiting to Climb

So let’s say you have 6 hours to kill before guiding some clients on Wall Street. A reasonable objective might be the North Chimney on Castleton, with your friend who has never climbed the tower. The climbing is moderate and you should have plenty of time to get up and down quickly.

You get an early start and crush the approach hike. Things are looking good, but then you hear it: “Come on, you got it!” Nothing wrong with some encouragement, but when its the party ahead of you and they are only 10 feet off the ground on a 3 pitch route, this is cause for concern. When it takes them 2.5 hours to get all 3 to the top of the first pitch, you might entertain yourself with the following activities:

Go look around the corner at the other popular moderate route, only to find it has 2 parties in line. (on a Tuesday)

Wish you had more #3 Camalots so you could climb the North Face.

Wish you had a guidebook so you knew what gear you’d need for Fine Jade.

Drop subtle hints about how you have to be back to work by 2, hoping they let you pass. But they don’t.

Make new friends with the other party that’s also waiting. You can learn a lot about someone in 2.5 hours.

Create rock art, including one you name Wilson and make up stories about.

Gaze out over the incredible landscape spread before you.

Ultimately climb the first pitch and rap off, realizing you will not be back to camp before dark if you wait behind this party. Better get up earlier next time.