Santa Barbara 

Nice to see Santa Barbara make it here. I first climbed here when my brother introduced me to the sport in 1984. Man that was some years back.

For single-pitch sport climbing, you've got several options in and around SB:

• Toxic Waste Wall / Upper Gibraltar - more than a dozen quality lines from 5.9 to 5.11b. Can be quite hot in summer. 20 min from downtown SB.

• Wheeler Gorge - on the way to Sespe along Hwy 33 - a good variety from 5.8 to mid 5.11 on 3 distinct rock types. Nice when it's hot, right along creek. About an hour or so from SB.

• Little Lebowski - a good half day's worth. Short routes. A 15 min walk, just off W Camino Cielo.

• Fire Crags - a good half day's worth. Nice views. Short routes, short approach. Right off 154 at Painted Cave.

• Crag Full 'o Dynamite - zero approach, about a dozen short, fun routes literally right on the road. 15 minutes drive past Upper Gibraltar.

Actually, there are a number of awesome multi-pitch routs in S.B.: Cathedral Peak (adventuresome 3 pitch 5.7), Upper Gibraltar (2 pitch 5.10b), and a number of others...

Has anyone found any new rock since the fire?

As of Fall 2008, much of the climbing on West Camino Cielo is closed due to some sort of post-fire mulch operation instituted by the Forest Service. Lizard's Mouth is still open, but places like the Brickyard and the Playground are off-limits until (apparently) next Fall. Please respect the Forest Service's wishes and don't climb the closed areas. There's plenty of other rock in the area.

The Jesusita Fire, which destroyed more than 8700 acres, has had a dramatic effect on Santa Barbara climbing sites. Upper Rattlesnake and Upper Cold Springs Canyons suffered severe damage. The entire Gibraltar Area, including Cold Springs Dome, has burned.

To see photos of the Gibraltar Area after the fire, click here

There is a trail restoration day planned for June 13th for many of the trails affected by the Jesusita fire. Not too many details on the organization of the day yet, but the general plan is to meet at Skofield park and then set out to work on the Jesusita, Tunnel, Rattlesnake, and the West Fork of the Cold Springs trails.

Check this blog for further updates.

coming to santa barbara this winter to surf and looking to climb in the san ysidro area and other surrounding crags. Is there relative cheap camping/blm land in the immediate area or close buy? Also where is the best good eats/beers nearby? Muchas gracias.

=Casey

An update from Bob Banks:

www.king-dino.com/rant.html

C'mon, people. Spread the wisdom.

Bob and Andy are spot on. Post the link on the Brickyard and Lizard Mouth pages.