It was not as hot as expected on Pilot Mountain on Saturday June 20, for the participants on the Climb Outside class offered by Ascent Adventure Consultants.   It was a beautiful breezy day on the crag with the temperature not getting near the forecasted high of 95.

Chris, Danel, and Derek, the class participants first practiced building top rope anchors using cliff top and cliff face bolts.  Being

quick learners they soon moved on to doing their first outside rappels from the of  the 90ft’ cliff.  The rappel was done using an anchor they made using natural features.  The group had fun playing on the “Parking Lot” routes of “Thin to Win,” “Chicken Bone,” and the unnamed route called “Chicken Wing” by some.

Next the group moved to the Three Bears area for practice with setting up cliff top safety lines.  After some more anchors building the threesome climbed three more routes.  The day was finished off with some belay escape practice.  It had been a day of successful day of “firsts” for everyone as all headed home with confidence in their skills to climb outside.