Committment (Oct 16)

All of us head for Five Open Books crag with the intent of bagging a quick team ascent of 'Committment' (5.9) before heading out to Cookie Cliff for some more taxing fayre.The plan's partly scuppered by finding two teams already in-situ. We decide to sit it out. Jen takes the first two pitches in style - after some running commentary that doesn't exactly settle Sarah's nerves. The first pitch is a fine splitter hand crack that goes at 5.8. Sarah eventually decides to take it on, and sends it in confident style. After an uneventful second pitch that Sarah also led, I lead through the top crux pitch. Laybacking and somewhat awkwardly swinging a couple of corners leads to a sandy exit where I accidently manage to dislodge some rocks the length of the route like a numpty. Bruno and Jen have already waited some half hour for us, so they ask if they can head off. Not that much for us mere mortals at the Cookie anyway so Sarah and I head back to Camp 4 for some beers and more slack line practice. I manage to walk the length of the tape and feel enormously pleased with myself.

Bruno and Jenny arrives back as darkness falls. Bruno has managed to classic hard cracks and is happy with his effort. We're leaving the valley tomorrow, which feels a bit sad. Camp 4 has been a pleasant experience. One last slap-up extravaganza on the camp fire, and tomorrow we'll be in Bishop.