 Slater soon demonstrated his nerve in nearby Eldorado Canyon by dispatching the testpiece route "Wide Country" (11a R), still difficult today even though the availability of sticky rubber climbing shoes and micronuts has reduced the challenge.While in college, Slater began making summer trips to Yosemite Valley, where he climbed his first big wall route "Zodiac" with Tom Cosgriff and climbed Aquarian Wall with Robert Kayen.During his junior year Slater met Randy Leavitt, who taught Slater how to BASE jump.