{"id":785,"date":"2017-10-03T03:01:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-03T03:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/?p=785"},"modified":"2017-10-03T13:29:46","modified_gmt":"2017-10-03T13:29:46","slug":"looking-glass-rock-trad-time-in-pisgah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/2017\/10\/03\/looking-glass-rock-trad-time-in-pisgah\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking Glass Rock, Trad Time in Pisgah"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-786\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Micah-leads-day-1.jpg\" alt=\"Micah leads day 1\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Micah-leads-day-1.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Micah-leads-day-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s Micah McCrotty leading the way on our second pitch of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainproject.com\/v\/105939182?search=1&amp;type=route&amp;method=resultsPage&amp;query=rat%27s%2Bass\">Rat&#8217;s Ass 5.8+<\/a> on Looking Glass South Side.\u00a0 If you are wondering if this is something that may have crossed your rearview, then think Shining Rock and the beautiful stone fortress that stands sentinel from the Blue Ridge Parkway.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a pic, not mine, from the web just to refresh your memory.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-787\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/looking_glass_rock_0000.jpg\" alt=\"looking_glass_rock_0000\" width=\"700\" height=\"469\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/looking_glass_rock_0000.jpg 700w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/looking_glass_rock_0000-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(no the leaves haven&#8217;t changed that much, yet)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-788\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/gear-all-laid-out-1.jpg\" alt=\"gear all laid out\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/gear-all-laid-out-1.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/gear-all-laid-out-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Robbie Blackwell, Kelly Brown and Micah McCrotty prepare the mountains of gear required for traditional climbing. Trad climbing differs from sport climbing in that your leader places these intricate devices into cracks and &#8220;eyebrows&#8221; on the rock.\u00a0 Cams, hex nuts and tri-cams are removable and do no damage to the rock.\u00a0 As Micah led the pitches, I follow and cleaned the route for the next pitch.\u00a0 It is a pure form of the sport and I enjoyed the leadership of some seasoned stone masters. You may remember my last trad experience on the Flatirons in Bloulder, <a href=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/flatiron_climb.html\">chronicalled here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-789\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/big-ropes-dangling-rapeller-micah.jpg\" alt=\"big ropes dangling rapeller micah\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/big-ropes-dangling-rapeller-micah.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/big-ropes-dangling-rapeller-micah-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The approach on Saturday was 30 minutes, or one mile uphill to the base of Looking Glass. Our rappels required two ropes and at each pitch&#8217;s\u00a0 base, we would tie the ropes together and rappel another pitch.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-790\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cool-robbie-b.jpg\" alt=\"cool robbie b\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cool-robbie-b.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cool-robbie-b-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Robbie seems to have it all dialed in with a full rack.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-791\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070821.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070821\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070821.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070821-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I was happy to clean and be led.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-792\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070831.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070831\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070831.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070831-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-793\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070864.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070864\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070864.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070864-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To say that Trad is gear intensive is like saying that Trump kind of likes Putin. This rack belongs to those guys.\u00a0 That big cam on the left, for instance, probably costs in excess of $200. And they take lifetimes to accrue.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-794\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070873.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070873\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070873.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070873-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hauling that stuff up about a thousand feet through the forest is backpacking. And the weather?\u00a0 Perfect.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-795\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070853.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070853\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070853.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070853-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, a saltine chupacabre entered our camp. It seemed to follow Kelly.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-796\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070884.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070884\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070884.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070884-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sunday&#8217;s approach to Cedar Rock was two miles and then this.\u00a0 We had to use rope to descend this section and it wasn&#8217;t much more than halfway in.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-797\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070889.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070889\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070889.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070889-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But the payoff is justified.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-798\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070893.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070893\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070893.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070893-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Then we got to work.\u00a0 It had cooled in an autumnal spell that made us itch to pull on granite.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-799\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070887.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070887\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070887.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070887-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Robbie and Kelly followed us up Dave&#8217;s Delight.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-800\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070909.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070909\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070909.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070909-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I took delight in the splendor of Fall.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-801\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070819.jpg\" alt=\"tn_P1070819\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070819.jpg 600w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/tn_P1070819-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the Looking Glass, I see a future.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9XqIqyl95mQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>If you like outdoor tales, consider purchasing <a href=\"http:\/\/johnquille0.wixsite.com\/broadpeak\">my first book.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/johnquille0.wixsite.com\/broadpeak\">www.temptingthethroneroom.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.wixstatic.com\/media\/139cbf_c9c590750d94c0c9b98a66b5c2294861.jpg\/v1\/fill\/w_444,h_600,al_c,lg_1,q_80\/139cbf_c9c590750d94c0c9b98a66b5c2294861.webp\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>That&#8217;s Micah McCrotty leading the way on our second pitch of Rat&#8217;s Ass 5.8+ on Looking Glass South Side.\u00a0 If you are wondering if this is something that may have crossed your rearview, then think Shining Rock and the beautiful &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/2017\/10\/03\/looking-glass-rock-trad-time-in-pisgah\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/785"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=785"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":811,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/785\/revisions\/811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}