Mccall, ID?
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Hey there MP, |
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IT's a small town that is basically a vacation place for Boise. The recreational aspects are only good enough that it is a local destination, not a serious mountain destination for people across the region. That said, it's not backwater creepy, but it's not much of a place for people serious about careers and family life, either. The vibe is as much motor powered sports as human powered, maybe more so. |
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For what it's worth, since you're likely more interested in craging, its an epic center for whitewater, spring,summer and fall. |
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The Boise folks have been putting up a ton of boulder problems, tons of backcountry granite, hells canyon sport, riggins cave in the summer. Literally year round climbing, fishing, whitewater. Like James said its not the wasatch or Tahoe and it also isn't close to large population bases like those places. If I was offered a career position there I would take it in a heartbeat. |
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As towns go McCall is sweet! It's a somewhat pricey resort town, located in some beautiful mountains right on Payette Lake. It's definitely not "backwater creepy". If anything it may be farther toward the other end of the spectrum then some might like. It's not in the same league as Ketchum (i.e. you probably won't see Arnold Swartzineger (sp?) or Tom Cruise walking down the street), but still very posh. I once heard someone remark that "the millionaires go to McCall, and the billionaires go to Ketchum." There are good restaurants and at least two breweries that I'm aware of. |
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I grew up in Boise. |
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World class whitewater, good skiing, but you'll be driving (sometimes a long way) to crag. I cant speak to the bouldering though. Driving may be fine, but if you are working 40 hours a week and/or raising a family... you won't be climbing much if you have to drive. |
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I'd live in McCall in a second for reasons others have mentioned. Re: Slickrock, it's some of the longest (some say THE longest?) continuous climbing in Idaho. (Not as interesting as Elephant Perch). That said, you can be at Slickrock from downtown McCall in no time. Look at it on-line, however, I've yet to see good climbing info on it other than what we in McCall know. 8-9 pitches and more than 4-5 routes; now about 10; super easy to very difficult. We've put up 3 in the last 2 years (5.11bR & 5.12aX). It's kind of weird to find your way around this weird "pancake" face because you might think you are on one line only to find you are crossing another route (cuz the bolts may change type, age, brand, etc). The summit is outstanding.....not a true summit but a flatish mound with smooth granite boulders about. The kind of place you would want to camp (we do). The walk off isn't bad....just long. I think some people underestimate Slickrock because you can see the entire face from the road and think "hey, OK, I can see the ENTIRE thing". |
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Thanks, this is all very useful. Here's what I'm gathering... |
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I haven't climbed at the Pins and Needles area, so this is just a wild guess... but I can't possibly imagine they even remotely compare to the California Needles. But, really, does anything compare to those beauties :) The McCall granite always seemed pretty slabby and not "crack featured" like the California variety. But that is just an observation from driving/hiking around the area... |
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I love McCall it reminds me of a mini-tahoe. As for the climbing, there is a very limited published climbing scene. However, there are a lot of great locations; gift shop, sport topper, etc. that are not shared. Many fear the grid bolters claiming FA on stuff |
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And what of hell's canyon? If I read between the lines - with optimistic bias - it seems damn worthy. And only an hours drive...? |
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Damn worthy. |
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I'm not giving anything away by saying that standing on top of Slickrock (which, as I said, is not a true "spiky" summit) which has sweeping views up and down the canyon, there is an enormous amount of so-called "undeveloped" (never liked that word) granite climbing. And a few bears here and there. |
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Since nobody is hyping the riggins cave it's pretty damn worthy and less than an hour. You can't beat a summer day climbing in the cool of the morning, swimming and a couple beers in the heat of the afternoon and then a few more pitches in the cool of the evening. Sure it helps to climb five twelve or more there but with conditions like that even the least motivated fatty will be cranking hard in no time. Living in McCall would be the best small town location for year round good temp sport climbing in the Pacific Northwest. |
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I lived there a while back and it was awesome. For the alpine stuff you are looking for there are lots of opportunities for FA's, pm me for more details if you move there and are interested. Short climbing season though, but then you can go to Riggins, lots of bouldering on the river, and some granite stuff too. for hard alpine already established google jughandle mountain. I really really enjoyed living there! What kind of career position are you looking at? |
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Mr. Dolence when are you coming to spokane to visit your old buddy mr. Crowe |
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I actually think McCall & area is a secret. But don't tell anybody. |
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shotgunnelson wrote:Living in McCall would be the best small town location for year round good temp sport climbing in the Pacific Northwest.yup that's my read - both from the enthusiastic replies on this thread and the wary/reticent ones. My ideal is sport for fun/strength, obscure alpine trad for mentally brutal fulfillment. As for keeping it secret, looks like the local economy does its own job of self-regulating exclusion - to the bittersweet envy of many of us who long for career work in bishop, moab, or mccall. I for one am sold. Tnx much, yall. |
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I'm really surprise no one has mentioned Jughandle. That mountain has some good and extremely hard climbing. all went in ground up |
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I already sent this bag'o-secrets to Sam, however, it gives you an idea of the area. |