It was pretty awesome to get back on The El (5.8) today with my buddy Shane. I linked the first two pitches via The Lonely (5.6) variation, and then took the plum line up P3. What an exhilarating route! 🤩

@jarrod Personally, I feel like the traverse is hardest section, the beginning of The Lonely only slightly easier, and then the third pitch just pure fun — but they’re not rated that way! 😆

Thanks for getting after it with me today, Shane! (And to Chris Sarkis for the encouragement and photos from the road! 📸)

@birming Thanks! I get those same sweaty palms when looking at photos; not so much when I’m actually climbing, weirdly enough. 🤷‍♂️

@jarrod Oh, interesting. Maybe it’s a bit like stage fright — as soon as you’re on stage, it’s gone.

@birming Maybe! I still get nervous and scared while climbing, but the rampant palm sweat isn’t as common for me.