Journeys: SEND IT - July 7th, 2011 - Summersville Lake, WV

Kristin, Beth Ann, and I woke early after a late night. Kristin and I had arrived at about 1:00 a.m. that morning and went straight to bed while Beth Ann continued to pack. Our plan for the 7th was to drive to Summersville Lake and climb at the Orange Oswald wall then proceed to Hawk's Nest State Park where we were meeting family at 6:00 p.m. for the start of the Mason family reunion. We left Morgantown early and arrived at the trailhead parking lot in Summersville in good time. It was a gorgeous summer day that was hot in the sun, but cool in the shade of the woods, loamy woods bursting with the white blooms of rhododendron. Boaters sped by on the shimmering lake as we made our approach to Orange Oswald at the edge of the lapping waters. We arrived at the crag and found just what we were looking for, routes barren of climbers.

We stacked our rope at the base of That Eight and I took the lead. The climbing, company, and weather were all perfect making this stop a perfect start to the trip. Beth Ann and Kristin both finished That Eight and we readily moved onto Sniff The Drill before taking a break to eat our Sheetz deli sandwiches for lunch. After lunch we moved down the wall to Hippie Dreams and Fabulous Groupies. Everyone finished each route especially enjoying the crux and sloper minefield on Fabulous Groupies.

Beth Ann sniffing for the next hold on Sniff The Drill.
Photograph by KRMG.

We packed our gear and headed back to the truck to complete the drive to Hawk's Nest. Tired, filthy, and smelly we were heartily welcomed by friends and family that had not been seen in far too long. We filled our bellies and caught up on the times as the sun dipped below the steep mountains standing guard over the New River.