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Should I bail on Bishop?
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I'm about to visit California for a couple of weeks from overseas. I was planning on spending most of that time, until just after Easter, bouldering and skiing in the Bishop area. The skiing up at Mammoth looks like it's going to be great but with all the road closures I'm wondering whether I should relocate over Easter, maybe to Joshua Tree(?), to get some bouldering done. I don't mind a bit of a hike to get to the boulders and am not set on any particular area but if nothing is likely to be accessible in Bishop I feel like I may have more fun elsewhere. Does anybody more local than me have any advice? Cheers. |
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From the Bishop Climbing Rangers (follow them on IG for updates) Tablelands: Chalk Bluff Rd is still closed and road crews are actively repairing roads in the area. Please do not hinder road crews and do not park on LADWP property where workers are staging equipment and materials. Owens River Gorge: Roads are indefinitely closed to the public and access to the gorge is prohibited at this time. We will be sure to update everyone as we receive more information. Pine Creek: Buried in feet of snow with significant avalanche risk. Buttermilks: Buttermilk road is in rough shape and impassible. Climbers may park and walk to the boulders but space is extremely limited so please consider carpooling. |
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Thanks. I've been checking IG too. The Buttermilk Rd situation seems pretty clear. It's mainly the Tablelands access I'm not sure about. It doesn't sound possible to park anywhere out of the way and walking all the way from town would be a bit much. Chalk Bluff Rd looks trashed west of the Happys but if it's not too bad to the east I could live in hope that access will improve over the next week. But if the advice to climbers is just a resolute stay away I should change my plans while I still can. |
ryan climbs sometimes wrote: Sorry - I'm flying into LAX, which also means I'll be in a rental car not set up for winter (I'm planning on getting the bus to Mammoth). I will have touring skis and skins with me though if skiing into the Buttermilks is a viable option. Ski-in bouldering would be a fun novelty at the very least! |
James Barnardwrote: Not much snow on the approach to buttermilks, road is just fukt Edit: Misspelled 'Not' as 'Now'.... |
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Come for the skiing, but climbing is toast. Head down to JT after you get in your turns. For sure, the mountain will have skiing through July. Hah. |
Stefanos Apostlewrote: Straightforward and pleasant walk, though - about 2.5 miles from the first washed-out section to the main boulders. |
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Bring your mtb to facilitate bouldering access. |
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Access to the Tablelands can be had via other roads besides Chalk Bluff Rd. It is your right as an American to recreate on your lands. Have a pleasant adventure in your rental car. |
Russ Wallingwrote: Homie is literally Australian. |
Will Gwrote: lol... if his visa is current, he is entitled to trample American public lands just like the rest of us |
Will Gwrote: Send him back! Well we just got another 2.5 feet (!) up in Mammoth. I have to believe the conditions further south and at lower elevations are somewhat impacted by this recent storm. There is some great skiing to be had as well as fun [windswept] ridge line traverses. The bouldering gym here is pretty rad, but you probably won't be getting outside for much climbing. Hit me up James if you swing through. I'll be here for a few more weeks. |
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Yes, got into town yesterday and had a fun session at the gym and on the bus to Mammoth now. I guess you can't have it all but a record breaking ski season isn't a bad backup. |
