It's October, and the urge to be in The Valley is strong.  But I'm
outta shape due to my recovering finger, so it's a perfect chance
to romp on the beginner classics with the kids!
(ages:  Renata 8, Skyler 6, Lance 4)

Oct. 4 - The forecast was warm for the Valley, so we headed to the Meadows,
and bagged Fairview Dome (9731') with the whole family.  All of us on
a 9mm rope, simulclimbing up the beautiful 3rd class descent route!
Lots of fun, and nobody even got scared on the descent.
On for a short hike towards Cathedral Lakes, Tenaya Lake Beach,
pizza at Curry Village (occasion:  our upcoming 10th wedding anniversary),
and family bandit camping at the base of El Cap!

Oct. 5 - after exploring the Merced at El Cap Meadow, Renata and Skyler
got 80' (toproped) up the 3rd class approach to the Nose.  In the
afternoon, Renata and I climbed the Left Side of Monday Morning Slab 5.2.
The crux is a diagonal undercling/lieback that is fairly sandbag for 5.2.
Recalling that I had soloed it (at night) almost exactly 20 years ago with
John Imbrie and Jeremy Metz, I tried to lead/solo it this time as an
undercling, but I had to back off when I felt I was about to blow!
I jammed it, and Renata used some tension.  The rest of the route was
fairly fun, although the slab got blasted by a rockfall a few years back
(prior to the huge rockfall last year), so there was much sand and crushed
rock where it was formerly clean.  Renata enjoyed being lowered for full
ropelengths down the Right Side, while I soloed down it (5.1).

Oct. 12 - Pinnacles family trip.  We did the High Peaks Trail, and all of
us except Lance bagged Photographer's Delight 5.2.  Some passing hikers
spied a tarantula near the trail, which provided much entertainment.
Onwards on the fun "pigeon-hole steps" trail, to where Renata and I
bagged The Sponge 5.2, while Nancy and the boys got a headstart on
the descent.  Lance did great, until the less-than-smooth/stable
descent trail in Condor Gulch.  (Nancy carried him there).
He needs some more time to gain strength like the older kids,
before we try difficult hikes like this one again.

Clint