La Petite Epic: Whipped Installment
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 08:13AM 
La Petite Epic: Learning the Ropes, French Style
(Part of an on-going series on my blog of posts from my column Whipped, for Climbing Magazine. October, 2004 Installment)
Read PDF HERE
It all began with an overhanging limestone pocket at Wild Iris. Actually there were two of them, and, due to their distance apart and the lack of other features surrounding them, I was supposed to be holding onto one and heel hooking in the other. The problem was, however, that I am unfamiliar with the art of heel hooking. The concept seemed simple enough but each time I tried to lift my left leg into the pocket, I felt like I was beginning an upside-down cartwheel.
“Try the Gaston!” yelled my partner Charlie.
“Who?” I screamed as my arms gave way and I launched into the space below.