First time we ever went climbing outdoors, was maybe 5-6 months into climbing. We had just passed our lead test a month prior in the gym and had be climbing consistently 2-3 times a week. We had made good friends at the gym and they invited us along for the weekend to the Vent #5 Climbing Area. They gave us some instructions on where to park, the time to meet them and a really hard to read picture of the approach with some vague, verbal directions on how to get to the crag. If that wasn't good enough, they said we could call as there would be cell service. So we decided that we would join in the adventure and experience our first outdoor rock.
Early morning came and they had said to meet at 8 or 9am. We left to get there around 9 and after traveling along quite the scenic road we arrived at the pin location they had sent to us for parking. After messaging our friends that we had arrived, they responded that they had headed down already but to come down and we would see them at the crag. We packed up our gear, in a side carry bag(we've since upgraded the gear hauler), and headed down the trail. The views of the coast as you hike are amazing. You can see the Emperor Boulder sitting in the ocean from the first cliff and it is breathtaking. Following a grainy picture with various trails to follow we headed down what we assumed was the correct trail, making sure to be wary of the abundance of poison oak along the paths. After a few forks we dipped down a gravelly and steep trail to where we could see a more distinct trail down below. After a careful descent to the true trail, we hiked around the hill to see the astonishing view of the Endless Bummer boulder. A massive rock the juts out of the sea cliff. As soon as I saw that, I knew that I had to climb that one day. However, with this being our first time ever we had no idea about any of the crag names or the landmarks or really where we were going. So we rounded the overhanging rock and somewhat unnerving trail to more climbing areas. We saw a few parties, and asked if they knew where Vent 5 was and no one gave us a definite answer. The trail had ended and there was a seemingly dead end. Our friends were not here and with a phone call that rang to no answer we were lost. We had followed the instructions they had given but nothing.
So we doubled back, thinking we could go up and over to another side. While we were about to pass Endless Bummer again, I had the brilliant thought to race up the loose cliff. I figured it looked pretty easy from the ground up and sent Kaylee around the 'easy' way and that I would meet her at the top after getting there and finding our friends. I thought it would be an easy scramble up the slope, and that I would beat her to the top by a large margin. So with our terrible side bag in tow, I began my ascent. Everything was smooth for the first 50 feet as I could crawl up from a ledge to ledge. Those ledges ran out at the top of the cliff with just one more ledge to get over before the summit.
Now to paint the picture, I knew there was no retreat from where I was. The hill was much steeper than I had anticipated from the ground. I was on a good, solid flat spot, but the only way out of my situation was to go up. There were two options, as a large boulder split the hillside, and so a choice had to be made: Left or Right. I chose right. It looked like more solid rock as the left way had more gravel than I was comfortable with. This was the steepest part of the face and there seemed to be better holds for me to get up. So, I my beaten and battered slip on Vans, I scurried up the right side. And then, I wasn't. I was sliding. As the rock beneath me crumbled, I could hear behind me someone scream as I dug my hands and feet as wide and hard into the brittle, sharp shale. My mind was blank. This was how it ends. Not in some glorious way, not while in the act of actual rock climbing, but on the way to try and climb. Kaylee had made it around and to the top and had just popped up the summit in time to watch me slide 5 feet down the cliff to certain serious consequences. But I stopped. Honestly, reflecting on it, I don't know how. But I did. That wasn't the end though. I was still below the last boulder to the clifftop. Only option from here was the left side. So in my Vans, I was able to find ok enough ground to catch my breath, calm my nerves, and talk through with my wife(of 6 months at the time), how I was to get out of this spot I had gotten into. Quick conversation, with myself forcing some laughter to try and keep her settled, and a plan was set. I threw our bag to her, strongly suggested she look away and headed up leftwards.
I don't think I've ever been more focused on a climb than that so far in my short career of climbing. That could have been the end of a career before it even started. After consoling a sobbing wife at the top of this cliff, and trying to relax my body we were greeted with a call from our friends, and were shortly united with them and had a great rest of our adventure that led to a fire for climbing that I hope to inspire others with through Stone River Climbing Co.
There are many lessons to be drawn from this event. Be prepared, and make good choices while you are on your adventures would be the first one to come to mind(don't be stupid is another phrase that would mean the same thing). However, I want to focus on the fact that there are people out there who care about you, that are waiting at the top of the cliff and waiting for you to come out on top of whatever mountain(actual or metaphorical) you are on right now. I for one, care about you, and you can reach out to me for anything. All I could think of after sliding was that I couldn't go out like this in front of the most important person in my life. Don't let that happen in yours either. <3
Reach out to us by email here or on instagram @stoneriverclimbingco if you ever need that boost. Stay safe and have fun.