Inspired by Victor's enthusiasm, Christian, Lisa and Karl are persuaded to try an easy multi-pitch climb on the first day in Yosemite. The original plan for the day was to get used to Yosemite granite by doing a bunch of TR's. Victor votes for the whole enchilada and waves the guidebook at us. "After Six. All five pitches!" "Well, if you say so, Victor...but you drive."

	Bouncing down the road out of the Valley, we all worry if Victor will remember the right turn-off. Karl's memory is vaguer than Victor's--the last time Karl was here was in 1997 for Walt Shipley's Rock II class. Fortunately, the parking lot appears before we leave the park. Arriving at 9am, we beat the Yosemite Mountaineering School to the Manure Pile Buttress and rope up for After Six. Victor leads up out of the morning shade with Lisa belaying. As Christian and Karl wait, all are surprised to see Pat and Chris show up with their YMS guide, Kevin. Kevin launches into the Rock II/III morning lecture and the class waits for us to clear the area.
Christian has come to Yosemite in search of exposure. At the end of the third pitch, he starts getting that "airy" feeling. But all is well and it ain't so bad lookin' down on them 100' trees. After smiling for the picture, Christian takes a look at the anchor and turns pale. Two tri-cams and a teeny TCU are all that separate him from certain doom. He swallows and is left to ponder his fate as Karl climbs away on the next pitch. His belay seat is on a wobbly rock. Gulp.
	Lisa belays Victor into the clouds. On this perfect climbing day, time floats lazily by, pitch after pitch. And although other parties fill the cliff, there's enuf climin' for everybody. (Even for the soloist who mildly laps us twice on the third pitch).
During a break, Christian ponders how to rack a Web-o-lette.
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