Date: June 27 & 28, 2020
Location: Mt. Erie
Author: Julia Ladner
Training Stage: N/A
Climbing Type: Sport Climbing & Top Roping
I have always loved outdoor sports, biking, hiking, and skiing. Rock climbing always seemed like something out of reach for me. I knew no one and nothing when I started gym climbing in November. I always knew I wanted to transition to outdoor but didn't know how. Luckily I made a friend at the gym who told me about Never Stop Moving and I went on my first trip with NSM in March just before quarantine started due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With safety precautions in place I was able happy to be able to get back into climbing at Mt. Erie in the end of June.
Saturday started with Megan telling the group to be kind to themselves as we hiked up to Sunset Slabs and started top roping. After 3 months without doing any upper body exercises and with my calluses gone I needed that reminder. Everyone on the trip was super supportive of each other and there was no pressure to push harder than you wanted to. Sunset Slabs has a beautiful view of Puget Sound.
On Sunday we had a smaller group and looked for another crag, landing up Madrone Wall. We were happy to find some kind strangers to help us get started on some new routes we were not sure the grades of. Madrone Wall was located in a wooded area surrounded by Madrone trees.
Over the weekend we climbed mostly 5.6-5.8 range. It was fun getting to know new friends in the climbing community and learn (or relearn) in some cases.