It's been difficult to get the time and materials together to post over the summer. Generally, my son has become disinterested in climbing with me and more specifically I took at job in the Bay Area that keeps me away during that week. Thus, I spend my weekends doing household chores more often than anything else.
However, two weeks ago my son and I headed up to the mountains to climb Andesite peak. I'd read that it was a pretty straightforward deal - not too difficult. Well, it turned out to be basically too easy - we were on the summit in only 1.5 hours or so. My son grumpily agreed to head across the ridge and climb the much higher and much more fun Castle peak. We went along happily until it became steep and he decided he didn't want to continue. For August it was very cold - the wind blowing 30-40 mph and the temp maybe around 50. Even working hard and heaving for breath, as well as wearing a sweatshirt, I was cold.
Somehow, I managed to get him up the hill - at one point I had to rig a harness and short rope him. Absolutely amazing view - as always, completely worth the effort. On the way down we had to go back over Andesite to get to our car, so we ended up climbing 3 peaks with something like 2500 vertical feet over 8 or so miles. Truly a great day!
Goal number one completed - but far too quickly. So, we set our sites on Castle peak.
A view of Castle from Andesite - we follow the obvious trail across the saddle and up the ridge.
I had to rig a harness to pull him up the mountain because he was so unwilling to go himself.
Blustery on the Peak
