It’s not the day to drive through Truckee, but none of us know it. Ann, Wes, and I blithely plan to check out Sawtooth Ridge, a crag south of Truckee that we’re all curious about. Then we become curious about the many police cars, traffic jams, and bicycles everywhere. Finally I remember: the Tahoe Ironman triathalon is today. We try a couple of alternate routes in vain and end up driving half the bike race route in reverse. In addition to watching a bunch of the race unexpectedly, we’re prompted to try a new climbing area. A large boulder above Crystal Bay offers just two routes, but they’re perfect. Sunny and challenging, we fling ourselves at them on toprope for several hours. It’s great rock and diverse climbing. We leave nice and tired, happy with our new discovery.

Let the taping begin

First snow on the peaks

Wes climbing the left route

Wes climbing the right route

Routes: Left Line 5.10a, Right Line 5.10c