Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Hanging Rock State Park

This is Moore's Wall at Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County. Before Wes was born we spent many days at these crags climbing and also across the way at Saurtown Mt. We took Wes up today to get a taste of climbing on real rock. She and Gerry have been going to the climbing gym here in Chapel Hill and it was time to get on the real thing.
This is the boulder garden you reach before you get to the main wall. We spent some time bouldering around here and eating. Most of the rock was super wet so there was no one there but us die hard fools.
Gerry is still climbing strong. If we didn't need food, shelter, and child's college funds, this is what he would be doing 24/7.
Wes bouldered for a bit and then we took her up to the main wall
Massive and scary. I spent many days here nearly throwing up before putting on my harness and tying in :)
Wes did good, Gerry set up a top rope and she got her first taste of climbing at Moore's. Then it started thundering so we had to head back to the trail head
The mt. laurel and rhododendron were blooming all over. Really beautiful! What a great Memorial Day.

4 comments:

Hollis Engley said...

Great stuff, Tracey. Our son and daughter-in-law are climbers and backcountry skiers in Washington state. He proposed to her on a ledge, in fact. We'll be out there next week, no doubt watching them hang off rock at least a little.

Linda Starr said...

What beautiful country and a great holiday outing. That rock is wonderful.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

If I didn't already think you were fierce after the raku firing post, I'd for sure know you to be a mighty woman now! So cool.

Jerry said...

That looks like a lovely way to spend the day. Definitely a bit of a difference between the climbing gym and rock. I hope Wes enjoyed it.