Caving trip to Laurel Caverns

Three Explorers Club members and I went and crawled around in dark, dank, and deep recesses of Laurel Caverns. Members Monica, Robert, and Kira and I participated. A good, dirty time was had by all. Laurel Caverns is a privately owned and commercially operated cave. 

Mark

New River Gorge

8 Explorers (Aria, Maddie, Kristy, Steph, Elani, Andy, Matt and Derek) set out at the ass crack of dawn for a weekend at the New. Highlights of the car ride there included spontaneous bird sounds coming from Aria's phone (?) and an adventure through some thick fog.

After meeting up with Ryan we hiked out to Sandstonia, not without risk - our fearless leader Matt slipped on the treacherous pathway and rolled his ankle. Andy took the first lead on Five-Five My Ass (5.6) while Ryan put up Plumber's Crack (5.6). Ryan (and Derek) led Crescendo to Zeitgeist (5.10a). Matt then put his one good leg to use ascending the rope by prusik. Elani led Shady Lady (5.7) and Matt climbed it gracefully using his right knee. The team ended the day late (thankful for headlamps) finishing up with Bobby-D’s Bunny (5.6), and Mrs. Field’s Follies (5.8). We then made our hungry and tired way back to the campsite, where feasting ensued. Elani made room in the crowded car for her guitar, resulting in a late night jam session in which Ryan created a hit song "Climbing on that West Virginia Rock" and we all had some good rowdy singing (?) before passing out in the tents. 

The next day, one car headed back while four of us (Elani, Derek, Andy and Ryan) headed to the Bridge to get in another day of climbing. Ryan lead Easily Flakey (5.7) and Elani got some experience cleaning trad (with the exception of one nut which was rescued by Andy). In the interest of time, the team set up topropes on Jaws (5.9+) and Chockstone (5.9+) which all 4 of us enjoyed thoroughly. We then returned to Pittsburgh tired, hungry, bruised, bleeding and happy. 

-Elani

Multipitch Climbing @ Seneca

For the first time in a few years, we have enough trad leaders to run a trip to Seneca! Dan, Ven and Jordan followed as Nate, Alex, Sherman, Ryan and I led pitch after pitch of on Seneca's 'kitty-litter' quartzite. Gunsight, Ecstasy, Green Wall, Soler, Climbing Punishment, Triple-S, and Marshall's Maddness were among classics we hit.

-Matt

More climbing at Breakneck

Ian, Elani and Matt returned to Breakneck, this time adding Alex to the mix. We got a very early start in hopes of getting in as much as possible before the nearly guaranteed rain coming later in the day. We had originally planned on going to Seneca, but the weather was too dismal to make the longer drive and full-weekend trip. Matt took some good whippers on Bowling Ball (5.11a), then Alex finished the route as the rain started to come in. Ian and Elani worked on the shorter wall, practicing leading, cleaning anchors, and rappelling.

Climbing at Breakneck

Ian, Elani, and Matt got an early start out of Pittsburgh to beat the oncoming heat. Elani got her first sport lead on Eclipse (5.6), as well as a nice practice fall from above her last bolt. Ian cruzed up Grab Your Balls (5.9), and then the team transitioned over to the slimy, wet, left side of the main wall. Too slick to be led, towropes were dropped on New School (5.10b) and Bowling Ball (5.11a). While conditions made the lower parts of these routes a challenge, they were in the shade all day due to the southbound arc of the sun this late in the summer. It wasn't until our hike out that we noticed the insane heat and humidity.