We dropped down the cliffs to the beach at the wrong spot and had to scramble over a few rocks before the objective came into view.
I think the rock we climbed on is officially called the 'Main Rock' at Mickey's Beach. Mickey's is the nude beach just South of Stinson and this rock overlooked it and its unclad inhabitants rather prominently. That, and the huge numbers of cigarette butts and pistachio shells up top inspired me to rename it 'Perverts Rock.' Here's Rich amongst the natives:
We spent a long time on top of the rock making sure of our anchors before rappelling down. It had been a while for Rich and we wanted to make sure we weren't blowing it. Of course I insisted that Rich go first...
I have to admit that I was a little freaked out when my turn came to go over the side. It's not so easy to place your faith in a rope and a few ounces of metal and to just lean back over a bone-crunching precipice. But I did it and it was fun!
At the bottom we took turns belaying with the top rope as each partner tried to climb back up. I only made it halfway before I once again had to place faith in the rope and Rich's ability to lower me down. I later found out that the route is class 5.10b, which ain't so easy.
We were late and had to haul ass back up Steep Ravine, which seems steeper on the ascent. But I got a nice taste of the puzzle that is rock climbing and I woke up the next day with very sore lats.
The End