As the snow flies here, I think back to warmer, more enjoyable, outdoor climbing days in the summer. I found some pics of a day in the Fields in August with good friends, good problems and sunshine.
One morning, late in August, we met the elusive Braden and Rachelle in the parking lot at the Fields and started out down the trail to the Bigglesworth Boulders. We quickly hopped into the Chime Zilla cleft climbing most of the stuff on both sides of the gap.
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One morning, late in August, we met the elusive Braden and Rachelle in the parking lot at the Fields and started out down the trail to the Bigglesworth Boulders. We quickly hopped into the Chime Zilla cleft climbing most of the stuff on both sides of the gap.
Rachelle on Dice Direct (V2)
Braden on Dice Direct (V2)
Then, we headed down to the main, southeast trail area hitting up the ultra-classic Full Chubb Morning Wheezer (V6), Pant Pisser (V1), and Unnamed V0 on the Pant Pisser boulder.
After this, we met up with Jay Duris and moved on down to the fun Ladybug boulder and later the Dark Prince boulder where we hopped on Dark Prince Direct (V5) and the tricky face/ arete climb of Dark Prince Right (V7). Following some good times on the Dark Prince, we were getting a bit spent, but thought, hey let's keep on truckin' down to the perfect crimps in the Driven Boulders.
Rachelle on the Ladybug boulder
We rolled in to the Driven area and all got on the beautiful edges of the Unnamed V2+ to the left of Driven. Rachelle and Staci hit this one hard (Staci whilst with child in utero), and with such beautiful holds, it's no wonder why!
Staci on the Unnamed V2+
Rachelle on the Unnamed V2+
And then, our spidy senses started to tingle! All of a sudden we started to smell smoke. We looked around and couldn't see anything close by, but the valley was packed with smoke. We hoped it wasn't anywhere in the Fields or along our exit road. So, we decided it was probably best to head out and make sure we could get back into town.
And then, our spidy senses started to tingle! All of a sudden we started to smell smoke. We looked around and couldn't see anything close by, but the valley was packed with smoke. We hoped it wasn't anywhere in the Fields or along our exit road. So, we decided it was probably best to head out and make sure we could get back into town.
As we got close to the paved road on our descent down from the Fields, we had the usual lake view and saw the culprit of all the smoke. Across the lake in Peachland was a massive forest fire! This one kicked up quick with high winds and the smoke was blowing right across the lake into Kelowna. In the end, it took out a few houses and a bunch of acres of land. Forest fires are always a scary thing in the Okanagan summer.
The Peachland Forest Fire
Nonetheless, we had a beauty day running around the Fields climbing great problems with great people. Can't wait for next August!