Despite living within a couple miles of the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon, I’d never done any rock climbing along its walls (ice yes, rock no). A small group had organized on Fourteener World to get out and climb midweek. John, Steve and I were the only ones available this Wednesday and we trekked over to the Canal Zone area for some post-work sport climbing.
Steve led us off by starting with Holiday Road (5.8), John and I followed the route.
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I jumped on the sharp end for the next lead (Venice Beach, also 5.8), which John then followed and Steve cleaned.
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That pattern was repeated on another 5.8 (Box of Rain), then the weather started to turn. A few sprinkles and some distant thunder had me wondering if I should commit to another route. While dithering, John decided he needed to depart and I finally started up Bears Choice (5.10). The climbing was easy up to the overhang and then a little insecure after that, but I successfully led the pitch. Steve followed, possibly at a disadvantage due to his height.
We figured we had time for one more route and looked at the only trad climb in the area: Route Canal (5.9-). I’d packed a light rack just in case this was an option tonight and was glad to put it to use.
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There were some really nice hand jams in the lower section, followed by a bit of laybacking above. Another group was just finishing up the Gondolier Arete (which shares an anchor with Route Canal), so I clipped into the bolts and setup our anchor then clipped their rope through it so they could quickly clean their draws and lower through my anchor.
Steve top-roped the route and cleaned what gear I didn’t pull while lowering and then we packed up and hiked out just as it was getting dark.
