Nat Heckathorn

  • Rest day?

    Rest day?

    This was supposed to be a rest day. I don’t know how I got two split tips yesterday, and I feel like I can barely handle silverware or open a drink. Was it too many buckets? Maybe my tendons hurt too. And my bruises. We should definitely rest today, maybe…

  • Groove to Corrugation

    Groove to Corrugation

    The most popular classic linkup at the Leap? You should definitely get an early start. Of course that was the plan, but things often get in the way. This time it was ice. For the cooler. Our initial plan was to rest and acclimatize on our first day of the…

  • J-Tree Top Ropes

    J-Tree Top Ropes

    Today was going to be much less ambitious than yesterday. Just chasing the shade and setting up some top ropes. First up was Sexy Grandma. This seemed perfect for Sammie and Jake, especially the move through the rooflet. Big gymnastic pulls with good hands, with an almost mandatory heel-hook. This…

  • Dung Fu choo-choo

    Dung Fu choo-choo

    You ever get to the crag to witness some spectacular insanity going up the rock? I once encountered a party of six that sent three leaders up each pitch (entwining all their ropes and gear) before bringing up their three respective followers. Luckily their system took so long that we…

  • Breakfast of Champions

    Breakfast of Champions

    This one had been burning a hole in my brain for a long time. It just looked cool. Mildly intimidating, scenic, and varied. But since it was on the north side and shady, it needed a warm day. With the perfect weather this weekend we were finally set up head…

  • Future Games Rock

    Future Games Rock

    Cancelling a trip to Joshua Tree happen way too often to us. This was the second time (not the first) in which our months-in-advance campground reservation coincided with a 60mph+ windstorm. Not even . This was a particularly hard break, since our next reservation was one we were sharing with…