Where to climb in California with current fires

Highway 4 might be less smoky (no clue) and near Spicer there is a lot of very moderate single pitch and top rope climbing. The Bear Valley Mountaineering center and some old Super Topo guides might have more info.

Anybody have any insight on typical altitude levels of the smoke?  Is it possible to avoid by going up high enough in the high Sierra?

I was a little under 11,000' feet (matthes) in tuolumene two weeks ago and the smoke was definitely there.

City of Rocks or the Sawtooths of Idaho

It’s not nearly as bad as the King and Rim fires were in the Tahoe area. It’s hazy for sure but not nearly as choking or smoke smelling as those fires. Still, it probably takes its toll on you, especially with a bit of altitude.

I’d either plan to cope and hope for the best or go somewhere out of state and clear.

The smoke from both the Ferguson and lions fires have made it, for me, unbearable to climb outside anywhere from bishop to toulomne for the past week (however last Sunday was clear in bishop). Rumor is, it's not as "bad" south of independence. Take this for what it's worth.

It is anticipated that the smoke will persist another month to month and half...read first significant rain event.  

Washington sounds nice.

Good luck.

If you are going to go as far as WA I would  go to Wild Iris (WY) instead... perfect season for killer fun sport climbing.

We're headed to Idyllwild!  Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

M Hostetler wrote: We're headed to Idyllwild!  Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Congratulations on a wise choice! 

If you are sleeping in a truck you can "camp" almost anywhere. Unfortunately all my tent spots burned up last week or are closed from fire, the state campground is full this weekend but the County campground has spots left and is right next door.

Hit Tahquitz early if you can to beat the sun, Suicide gets shade in the afternoon, but climbing in the sun is great with a breeze over on Tahquitz.

The Tradiban Hotline is 9515277959 free beta anytime and you're invited over for beers after a long day.

I just got back from a week (plus) in Tuolumne.  Smoke was totally hit or miss - but usually was OK in the morning and would get worse through the day.
Some days the visibility was less than half a mile - and it got worse the last couple of days (8/6 & 8/7) esp at night.
The total lack of people is worth the air quality nightmare - if you are not too sensitive.

Tradiban wrote:

Congratulations on a wise choice! 

If you are sleeping in a truck you can "camp" almost anywhere. Unfortunately all my tent spots burned up last week or are closed from fire, the state campground is full this weekend but the County campground has spots left and is right next door.

Hit Tahquitz early if you can to beat the sun, Suicide gets shade in the afternoon, but climbing in the sun is great with a breeze over on Tahquitz.

The Tradiban Hotline is 9515277959 free beta anytime and you're invited over for beers after a long day.

Thanks Tradiban!

Have you considered Whitney portal San Luis Obispo has some fun routes too. 

DanielHart wrote: Have you considered Whitney portal San Luis Obispo has some fun routes too. 

Cool idea. We should move Whitney portal to San Luis Obispo. That way after climbing Ghost Rider you could straight to the beach!

c b wrote:

Cool idea. We should move Whitney portal to San Luis Obispo. That way after climbing Ghost Rider you could straight to the beach!

Should have been a coma in there. I’m down for that though I wish it were closer. 

DanielHart wrote:

Should have been a coma in there. I’m down for that though I wish it were closer. 

I hope it’s a short coma.

Colonel Mustard wrote:

I hope it’s a short coma.

Cool word and grammar nazis   I believe Mark Twain said it best. I give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way. 

DanielHart wrote:

Cool word and grammar nazis 

Or just a little joke riffing on the typo.

M Hostetler, you went off route on P2 after Dave's :(

M Hostletler, Have you tried along the Sonoma Coast? South of Jenner, CA is a mix of bouldering, sport routes dotting several different state parks. I hope this helps.

Tradiban wrote: M Hostetler, you went off route on P2 after Dave's :(

Fake news!  We didn't start climbing till the 12th and never got on Dave's.  We did get way off route while walking down the south face descent.. went too far down on a loose dirt "trail" and bush whacked back to the base to get on lunch rock trail.

Thanks again for the suggestion Tradiban, we had a great time.  Highlights were definitely Fingertrip and Coffin Nail -> Jensen's.  Feeling pretty fit after the approach and descent hikes all week!