We hiked up towards War of the Walls (or Wall of the Worlds?), our objective for Saturday. The approach gully was soaking wet but the steep rock turned out to be dry enough (the climb gets no sun). We started to climb around 11:30am... alpine start! The first pitch (1 and 2 linked) is one of the most amazing splitter cracks in all of California... definitely 5 stars. The traverse was tricky, but not bad if you are tall. The next pitch was pure fun and mostly straightforward, and the Mexican Flake following it is a highlight... what a beautiful pitch.

The first face pitch presented a challenge - I had no idea where to go! There is a route about 50 feet to the left, with a line of bolts, but that was not WoW... which we wanted to keep to! After literally 20-30 minutes of me walking around on the ledge, and trying to see the first bolt, we were ready to give up and rappel. Eventually, I saw something protruding from the rock and climbed up 20 feet, from where it became evident it's a bolt - yes! Climbing up to it was easy (following easy climbing on the right), and the crux came before the second bolt, with dangerous fall potential and what felt like 5.9+ R moves... or maybe I was just gripped. The climbing continued to be very interesting after that, but was not as scary. Melissa joined me, also feeling that the moves felt harder than 5.9 on toprope... The next (and last hard) pitch felt much easier in comparison... interestingly, that's the one that's marked as 5.9+ R on the Cottrell topo, to me they felt reversed (though both are "do not fall" territory).

We camped by the river, which was peaceful! After a leisurely morning cooking breakfast, we decided to head to Hammer Dome and be in the sun. There were two parties just starting Gemini cracks, so we did Wings and Stings first - possibly the best 5.7 in the world? And then we went and did Gemini (right crack) after that, before driving home... excellent weekend in a beautiful place!

	Calaveras Dome, with War of the Walls (aka WoW) in red (photo from previous trip)	The first pitch of War of the Walls is amazing (esp. when linked 1 & 2), perfect splitter visible on the right	It's possible to start straight up also, supposedly 5.11a

		Sweet. Crux bulge visible just above my head	Above the crux

	Our 3rd pitch, very nice!	In the sweet dihedral above

	The amazing Mexican flake pitch	The first face pitch - 5.9 and definitely runout (first bolt circled.. but that's the easy part)	On belay duty after the Mexican flake

	Melissa on the first face pitch. The scary part was getting to the second bolt.	Over 150 feet, 3 bolts. Steeper than it looks...	Slopey

	Note the locker on the bolt :)	Some funky mantel moves	Second crux, a little ways from the second bolt - no hands

		Somewhat in disbelief	The next pitch is a breeze in comparison, though also runout (there are 3 close bolts, then a long traverse left with sparse gear)

	The amazing Mexican Flake pitch	Rappelling the Mexican Flake	Yummy breakfast!

	Today, we are climbing in the sun! Walking along the aquaduct toward Hammer Dome	Walking along the aquaduct is certainly... unique?

	Aquaduct!	Starting up the best 5.7 anywhere, Wings and Stings	Going straight up the corner is wet and dirty, this is the better approach

	Beautiful corner	Looking down (Melissa is visible at the tree/belay)

	Such clean granite... amazing

		Coming up the approach 5.7 pitch to Gemini cracks	The first crux - an awkward move.. then the climb follows the glorious flake left (one 200' pitch to the top of the flake)

			Coming up the flake

		The right crack is an amazing 5.10b splitter	Beautiful finger crack ahead

			Reaching the belay

	Mmm, beer