Greg warms up on Surfer Dead, 11b. Amazing pockets with a committing crux that comes in the last moves.
Wide view of The Diablo Wall. Greg climbing through the juggy pockets on Surfer Dead on the left side of the cave.
To get out of Diablo wall, you either send your project or climb out soaking wet on the 10d pictured here.
Warming up on Surfer Dead
Greg doing a little route finding
Didn't find the route.
Pretty Things
The famous dyno on loskot and two smoking barrels.
Friend.
Me on Ejector Seat.
Picking a deep water solo project in Mallorca came with a lot hesitation on my part. Cuz, shit is so scary to me. In fact, one of the reasons I picked Ejector Seat was because I was 100% certain I'd never do it. It didn't feel as safe as the vertical stemming project I had at Summersville Lake, WV and it took Greg more than 2 tries (see-impossible for me). It was steep, and committing with huge move followed by huge move.
It's obvious to me that deep water soloing can't be just about climbing such and such grade, like much of climbing tends to be focused on. It's more about the balance of fear and effort. Trying hard moves while embracing fear rather than trying to rationalize it. So when the stars aligned and I wasn't crippled with fear, I felt elated. I felt all the feels. People kind of lose their shit when they go to Mallorca, and I think I might be one of those people now.
I sent on our last day of the short two week trip, topping out the Diablo Cave with all of our crazy euro friends in the cave, screaming below. I think that moment might be one of the most memorable moments in climbing I've ever had.
The #shamecave at Diablo Wall. I always felt like that cat on the "hang in there" poster when I was trying to claw my way up that rope ladder, and get back into the cave. You know that poster. You know the one.
Greg on the send of an 8b on the left side of the Diablo Wall.
Greg in his happy place.
The ever-so important feet shot, while trying not to think about the sharp limestone threaders that my rope is attached to.
Till next year.