The Kings of the Rat

I needed to build some endurance and there is no better way for that than some laps at the rat cave. Plus, one of my best friends was in town and I had been told about a new route that I just had to see.

Mark picked me up about 9am and we grabbed Sam on the way. Being that it was full spring time the talk on the way was all about what would be wet and what might be dry. I was just hoping for some laps but I new Sam wanted to have a chance at Kings of Rat.

When we arrived I noticed that the waterfall was flowing but not supper bad so hopefully all was well. As we found out a couple minutes later the top of Piss Fire was wet and the under cling on enchalata was wet but Kings of Rat was dry so cave climbing was on.

We set to warming up right away and did two laps up Piss Fire until it was to wet to climb any more.

Sam on Piss Fire

Sam on Piss Fire

Having finished with the warm-ups Mark put a fixed line up on the top of the wall so that I could take some photos from above on Kings of Rat. The moves looked amazing so I could not wait to give it a go.

The view from above

Once in place I was ready to get some action on film. The wall is steep up hear for sure.

While we were warming up Kris showed up and was keen on getting on Kings of Rat as well. Kris started climbing and I started shooting. Lets let the photo's tell the story.

He had a great working session and I am very happy to have gotten the chance to shot it. A day later Sam got the third accent and Kris got the 4th about a week later! Congrats to you both. What an incredible line. To finish of the day Mark wanted to work a variation on Boxcar so I took the opportunity to get some more photos of him on it.

Were is that hold?

The problem was when he came to the crux on Boxcar there was a key hold missing. We all spent a while searching on the ground and found about half the hold so maybe it can be fixed. Mark said it was possible without it but it looked hard. All in all it was a great day and I got in a great workout. It has been almost 15 years since I first went to the Rat Cave and I will always love it out there.