Mt. Diablo, February 24, 2002

I have a midterm next week, so I didn't go away for the weekend and instead went climbing close to home. It was a gorgeously sunny day, and I went to Mt. Diablo with Charles. We started off at the Boy Scout Rocks but they were a little crowded, so we headed off to the more remote Pine Canyon area. Although the guide book says that Pine Canyon is closed this part of the year for raptor nesting, the ranger told us the area wasn't closed so we checked it out. We did a two pitch climb called the Cave Route which, although it's called "a Bay Area classic!" in Bay Area Rock, was actually just kind of weird. The first pitch was really crumbly, and the bolts are homemade. After the first pitch you belay in an awesome cave filled with raptor crap. The second pitch was about fifteen feet of squeezing through a tunnel. It was interesting, but it didn't seem particularly classic to me.

Lots of big birds were flying around Pine Canyon, which was really beautiful (and poison oak infested). I now know that this is a turkey vulture (thanks Nate!).

Another turkey vulture. Yes, I realize there's a spot on my camera. I don't think it's just something on the outside of the lens because I've cleaned it, but spots remain. This poor camera has been dropped a lot and has been carried up a lot of routes. I don't blame it for being a little weird.

Amy enjoying lunch.

Charles prepares the usual lunch....bread, cheese, and salami.

Amy heading up the Cave Route.

Amy at the first belay.

Charles starting the second pitch in the raptor doo-doo cave. He has to fit through the hole where you can see the patch of sky.

Charles heading into the tunnel.

Amy in the tunnel. I thought this part of the route was quite fun.

Amy and the moon.

Amy and Charles on the way back out of Pine Canyon.

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