Exit 38 - Various, 2002 - 2008
Many a trip out to Exit 38 and once so far to Exit 32 since '02. Most e38 crags tend to be crowded and most e32 routes are beyond my abilities, but the area does offers a quick and dirty afternoon fix after a lame day at work.
Andy first introduced me to climbing at e38 by taking me up to The Peannacle where he set a couple top ropes for me to climb (probably just the 5.8 routes). At e32 Scott and I climbed classic Reptiles and Amphetamines (5.9) and a couple other nearby routes in the 5.9 - 5.10 range. Agata, myself and friends have climbed a number of routes on Substation and Writeoff Rock, but I only managed to follow Strip Clip (5.9) at Nevermind so far. We've climbed Underground Economy (5.9) and Jiffy Pop (5.7) at Deception Wall and all but one route at We Did Rock.
The area known as Far Side has seen a lot of new route development in recent years and features some of the best the area has to offer in my opinion. Gritscone is the obvious starter/warm-up crag in the area and is a good place to hide from the sun (though often overcrowded). A bit up the trail from Gritscone is Overhaul with a variety of stiff climbs, and a few moderates of which Slabbage Patch's Siamese Dream (5.9) is my favorite. At the Gun Show area, classic 3-star Endless Bliss with it's wonderfully textured slabs is never a disappointment. AG, I have also both led and climbed nearby Sinkerville (5.9) and the two-pitch 3-star Elation At The End Of Eternity (5.10-). At Interstate Park we've also climbed a few 5.8's - 5.10's at the Eastern Block area and the 9's and 10's at Off-Ramp. Finally, the steep and sustained 3-pitch The Plank (5.9, 5.10, 5.7) at Lost Boys (Neverland) is probably my all-time e38 favorite.
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