Christmas at Twilight of the Idols

Yesterday, Craig and I went up to Twilight of the Idols, heralded by its handful of ascensionists as one of the best v10s in California. I had never been to the problem before and was excited to see it, and Craig was psyched to try to send, after a few days of sunshine had melted out the worst of last week's snow. 

We parked off of the road to The Republic, when Craig's minivan wouldn't make it any farther, and made the long steep hike first to the main Republic area, and then the additional 20 or so minutes uphill through a tunnel chopped through the Manzanita to the exposed ridge that is home to Twilight. 

View of the ridge between the Wild Things area and Twilight.

Mt San Gorgonio as seen from Twilight of the Idols

Craig Brushing the upper holds ... which neither of us made it to.

Craig on the second move ...

and the third ...

and fourth.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as well as last week at the Jupiters. After a few attempts to feel out the first moves, I found myself matching Craig's high point, heel hooking just below where his left hand is in the photo above, and going left hand to the sharp, somewhat sloping hueco high above his left hand. From that first crux move there are still a few hard moves before the tricky topout, and I hope that I can at least fall off higher up  (if not send!) my next day out there.

That, however, won't be until 2012, as I'll be visiting Maya in London for New Year's and the week following! I kind of doubt if I'll update before then, so I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, whether you celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or none of the above, and have a happy and safe New Year too!