Page 5 - Climb November 2015 Teaser

Iapproached the starting holds and set off. The rock did not feel as good compared to the other night, but my psyche took over. I felt more confident on the moves and was not thinking about the consequences. I was finally present with the line. I made it
to the dyno and stuck the lip. My head did not race, but immediately went into executing the final section. I started up the headwall and came to the same place as before.
I did not hesitate this time and stuck the right hand razor. My fingers were numb and I sat there for a couple seconds to re-adjust and feel some sort of bite. This was not working, so I took it as is, brought my left foot up to a higher foothold and committed to the last iron-cross move. I stuck this move and felt safe. My hands were still numb, but I was able to regain back some circulation for the final mantle.
Once I arrived in the no-hands rest my survival instincts fully kicked in. At this point I was committed, and was forced to go to the top or get seriously injured. I breathed slowly in and out through my nose to lower my heart rate and began the quest to the summit. All of my senses were firing in unison. I could feel the stillness of the air around me.
I heard my toe rubber grind into each crystallized smear. I could smell the rock and feel its energy. I was attached and not letting go.
I stood on top of the Grandpa Peabody boulder beneath the stars and could faintly see the lantern light glowing down below.
I’d learned how to be present in the face of fear and accept it. Fear was not my enemy, but my aid. This line tested many of my attitudes and took me on
a crazy ride: patience, beginner’s mind, trust, acceptance, and letting go all appeared while projecting this line. After I got down off of the boulder, Dan had
a couple more tries. He got close but ended up splitting both index fingertips. We then popped some bottles and had a celebration under the Grandpa Peabody.
- Daniel Woods on the first ascent of The Process, January 28th, 2015
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NOVEMBER 2015