Friday, November 18, 2011

Joshua Tree Cragging

I had an assigned vacation from work in November 2011.  Not my first choice of seasons to set up a trip, but we made it work.  Jacqueline and I found coverage for our kids (Kate only 8 months!) and headed to Southern California - using her parents' timeshare and airline miles to make a cheap trip to Palm Springs.  Part of the reason for that location was the allure of warm desert climbing in Joshua Tree.  It did not dissapoint.  The approaches are nonexistent, the rock stellar, the routes super fun, and the weather superb.  It was a great off-season getaway!

Here's a brief photo journal of our time there.  We spent two full days cragging, climbing mostly single pitch routes - a mix of trad and sport.


Intersection Rock area

The Bong, 5.5 (overhanging hand crack), The Blob area

Mike's Books, 5.7, 2 pitches, Intersection Rock

Mike's Books, second pitch

Cute wifey belayer on Intersection Rock

Lovely scenery in J-tree driving out

Jacqueline cleans Swing Low, 5.8- sport, Echo Cove

Double Dip, 5.6, Echo Rock

Top of Double Dip

Stichter Quits, 5.8+ sport, Echo Rock.  Total of 4 bolts on a nearly 60m pitch.

Belaying atop Stichter Quits

Joshua and a tree in Echo Cove area

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