A Quick Climbing Trip to Pilot Mountain

Anna and I drove 110 miles to a popular climbing spot less than two hours away from our house in Durham. The last time we were there was three years ago; our guide was Taylor Smith who took us for our first outdoor climbing experience. At that time we had only been climbing at an indoor climbing wall for three months.

We have climbed outdoors many times since; but this trip was our first time climbing without local helpers or guides. Anna had bought all the gear and a sixty meter rope. And she made a quad and locked us in at the various anchors so we could top rope five different routes: Howdy Dude, Honey Pot, Grandpa's Belay, Pee Break, and Goldilocks.

We stayed at the Greystone campground, a mile from the parking lot at Pilot Mountain.

That's me at the middle; then Anna topping out:

Anna did the toughest climbs:

Anna proves that the rocks are unforgiving:

Myron resting:

We had a good three days of climbing. It was hot and fatiguing but the views were stupendous!