The CURL - Cardiff Ultimate Ridge Linkup

The CURL

Since moving up Big Cottonwood, I've had a fair amount of time to explore Cardiff Fork.  About a month ago Noah and I ran up to Pole Line Pass, over to Flagstaff and out Day's Fork.  Mid run we looked up at the Reed Benson Ridge and then at Cardiac Ridge and had an epiphany.  They had to be linked.  We figured it'd be a miniature, less classic WURL.  We made plans a few times over the past month but never started due to the crazy August rains.  Last Saturday, weather was on our side.

We left from my front porch at 6 AM without headlamps figuring the sun would come up soon.  It did, but not until we had bushwhacked half way up the north end of the Reed Benson Ridge by phone light.  Luckily it wasn't too bad.  

Not too bad

The start of the rock

Once we were on rock it was pretty straight forward.  Follow the ridge.  We thought there were only a handful of 4th+ class moves.  One on the Reed Benson side and two on the Cardiac side.  They all probably could have been avoided were we more willing to deviate from the ridge but then it wouldn't be an ultimate ridge linkup right?  It may not be the classic that the WURL has become but it made for a stellar Saturday.

Reed Benson

Poser posing

Bristlecone Pines grow in some unlikely places

Easy slab

Noah nearing Flagstaff

Roni from either Jennilyn Eaton's or Spencer Weiler's WURL cache

The start of Cardiac Ridge

The crux crumbling tower

Noah scared the whole thing might fall

Finally on solid rock

Summiting Kessler

Success!

Amanda had peach smoothies in frosty mugs, banana bread, and black bean burgers waiting for us!