Any route or boulder problem that starts out of or near an occupied campsite may not be done without first obtaining the campsite occupant's permission.
Description
Panama Red runs up the dark desert patina between Quivering Savages and Sweat Band. Scramble up the initial slab to the base of a right-arching seam on the headwall. A ladder of steep, positive crimps runs up the seam and the face above. Originally a top-rope problem, it was retrobolted into a sport route in the early '90s by some of my compatriots as I stood watch on the summit. Alas, this so offended a local (who had no involvement or history with the route) that he chopped it back to a toprope. Thus, goes another stupid battle in the bolt wars. Anyone interested in re-equipping the route has my blessing (I'll even subsidize the hardware). Otherwise, I'll take care of the task myself next time I'm in the area. Steep, continuous, fingery, positive climbing on bulletproof stone: it doesn't get much better than this. Definitely worth a lap after running up Sweat Band.
Having climbed this route several times I feel confident in saying this is without a doubt the best line on the wall. Were it bolted (which it should be) it would see steady traffic as it offers continuous steep funk climbing which epitomizes Josh.
I just don't get that. If you don't have to make holes, why would you? Like you've never lead a bolted 11c before.Preservation ought be king in this time of increasing #'s at the crags and in natural areas in general.
In my mind there are enough bolted lines in J-tree as it is. Let's keep and maintain those.
We, as rock climbers don't realize how good we've got it. I know more than one non-climber who was astonished at how much access we have in places like J-tree. "I can't believe they let people climb all over these rocks" one friend said.
In our own little microcosm of climbing we feel limited. But in the grand scheme of things we have a lot of freedom and must use some restraint to keep it. Even in the short time I have been climbing regulation has increased in many areas. -J-tree has camping restricions. -The gunks has increased their user fee and limited parking. -Open soace in Boulder CO, is going to become more expensive and restrictive. -Red rocks camping is heavily regulated and expensive.
All of these restrictions make me want to keep a tremendously low profile.It should make you want to do the same.Bolting a route that has been toproped for years and has neighboring bolted climbs and a mellow traditional climb via which to reach the anchors, seems real silly.
Just my .02.Or was it .03? Peace out you Californians.
King Otto's Castle
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