Today Sean and I took a lesson from an instructor on how to do multipitch climbs.
We started out working in the ground, practicing our knots and how to transition from belayer to climber.
We also learned some subtle things, like how some quick draws have a rope side and a bolt side.
We learned how to belay from an anchor, we learned (well relearned cause we were taught once before) a clove hitch, which is incredibly useful.
I had never belayed from above, so that was surprising for me.
After that, we lead a multipitch inside a cave. I don’t really have any pictures of that as I was paying attention. We rappelled down that one which was a lot of fun.
We then ate lunch and did our second multipitch. The service to get to the crag is great; they give you a ride there and back, as well as a lunch, for 450 bhat(about $13).
The whole time during the day the instructor kept teasing Sean for messing up things(forgetting to lock carabeaners, not putting a stopper knot in the rapell, ect). I thought it was funny(him being teased, not him forgetting vital things). Sorry Sean :p
The second pitch was really cool. It was outdoors, and we got to climb above the treetops. I led the second pitch, which was a 6a+, or a 5.10a. This is the highest I had led. It was pretty hard cause I was a bit nervous being so high up. Apparently I cut up both my knees, and I didn’t realize until I had anchored in. There was a bit of blood dripping down them. Guess I was concentrating too hard to notice :p
Here are some pics from the top of the second pitch.
During the evening we went to a night market we saw on our way into town and ate their. It was great and delicious. I got pad Thai for the 1000x time.
And now here we sit in our hotel, drinking beers and planning our next outing tomorrow.