I'm happy and proud to have been Ken's belayer on multiple
I'm happy and proud to have been Ken's belayer on multiple sends over the last year. He's onsighted, flashed, and redpointed some hard elevens, putting away many longstanding projects. He has yet, however, to put away Gaucho, which (in the 2011 Lander Rock Climbs anyways) is rated 10c - a grade Ken warms up on, a full number below his redpoint grade.
His saga with Gaucho is tragic and - because it's not happening to me - pretty hilarious. The last time he tried it, he hung one of the anchors, switched his arms back and forth to work the pump off, and then ... whipped. With one draw hanging on the anchor. I do believe they call that "an Enlow". I did my best not to laugh too loud as he worked the pump out of his forearms, scowling and reassessing his self worth.
Someday, sweety, someday.
In the shot: @ken_hilton307
