Best Route in Minnesota
- Mar 22, 2016
- 2 min read
Emerging from the dark cave on the other side of the small peninsula I was caught off-guard by the ocean views before me. The cave stood higher than sea level and you could see the limestone spires off the coast Railay East. But what I came to do was just to the left of where I stood.
Our small crew waited in a short line to climb the Best Route in Minnesota. A long single pitch sport climb that followed an arrete on the left side of a massive cave. One thing I have trouble with when climbing is waiting. Waiting for partners to put on their harness, waiting for the route to open up, waiting and hiking to far off crags.
My psych was high and I was ready to experience what the fuss I heard about this route was about. After 3 people it was finally my turn. I hopped on lead as fast as the rope was pulled from the previous climber. It starts out with a few crimpy moves before it traverses left. I quickly became pumped from the moves and the excitement. I was resting as best as I could for the upper section. A double arrete feature with small feet and balancy moves.
I was only about 5 metres away from the chains when it happenned. My hands, slippery from sweat and pumped. The small feet that I didn't trust. I fell into just dead space below the arrete on the left side. Pumped and spinning on the rope I turn around to see the ocean views one more time. I can see kayakers in the distance taking my picture and waving. I wave back with vigor and a smile on my face. These are the climbs we travel across the globe for.
The Best Route in Minnesota is an 11a 30 metre adventure. It's located behing Thaiwand wall at the end of Phra Nang Beach.
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