New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #29

Okay so the next thing I wanted to touch on is that a while back someone suggested organizing a trip to the Gunks this Fall.  I think that would be super, and I would definitely attend if I can!  I think several people from further afield even expressed interest in coming if something were put together.  Is there anyone interested in taking the reins on this one?  

Oh, and guess the routes (one easy, one a bit harder):

GO

I saw these drawings from one of my favorite cartoonists and thought of this group.  Everyone likes an adventure!  My adventures these days are mostly three hour outings just to go check out something new.

Speaking about adventure this picture of three of my granddaughters popped up on my iPhone today and I remember exactly what was going on. They took me to the top of their favorite trail to show me”The Beautiful Place”. While we were there, they pointed across the forest to another peak and we talked about having a picnic there someday.   Another adventure!

here is Brandt yesterday with the nolinas 

the tallest one is about 16 feet high

Brandt says he has never seen so many and never so big

richard aikenwrote:

here is Brandt yesterday with the nolinas 

the tallest one is about 16 feet high

Brandt says he has never seen so many and never so big

Wow! Thanks, Richard. That scale really enhances the appreciation of those amazing plants!

Looking good, Brandt! What did you climb?

A few years ago, when I was hiking through real hidden Valley, I discovered a little perch under tumbling rainbow. It turned out to be one of my favorite places to take a nap or have a little picnic. So on impulse, I went again today.  I think it’s the loveliest and most peaceful place in the park.  I left my phone running while I fell asleep.  

The only problem with being where no one can find you is that no one can find you.  It’s no big deal getting over to Fisticuffs except if you make one wrong move down you go.

Another person I would like to have met… Yabo. Photo by Fiddleman. Actually it never occurred to me that this was a free solo climb. Falling could be bad.

I wish I could’ve met Charles Cole. Of all the early climbers here in Joshua Tree I think I would’ve liked him best. Run For Your Life was a really big deal for me. Meeting Dave Houser was a really big deal.  I never met Herb Laeger.  But sometimes the echoes remain and leaning up against these rocks, I could hear them today.

unfortunately, that beautiful white rock on the right formation seems out of my reach. I know it’s my fault. I just don’t have the climbing chops to even get to the base of it.  That doesn’t make me want it any less.

While I was sitting on my perch I saw two guys walking to the top of the sentinel, with rope and full racks and they looked like they meant business.  I don’t think they climbed anything. Maybe they were new to Joshua Tree.  

It was a day to hike to my very limited rap playlist. Anyone wants to help me add some more would be great

Joshua tree was definitely in the house.   

Lori Milaswrote:

It was a day to hike to my very limited rap playlist. Anyone wants to help me add some more would be great

Here's an addition for your playlist:

FrankPSwrote:

Here's an addition for your playlist:

Ok! This works!  Thanks Frank!!! 

Hey Lori - that day we climbed at Snickers. Did Funny Bone, Humerus, and Norwegian Wood. The last two worked me over pretty good.

Brandt Allenwrote:

Hey Lori - that day we climbed at Snickers. Did Funny Bone, Humerus, and Norwegian Wood. The last two worked me over pretty good.

Is Norwegian Wood the one with the "athletic" top out?

Gym climbing… got a few more moves on my 5.12b project. Last head wall transition is remaining with one clip left. 5.12c project made two more clips. Cruised up very steep 5.10c leads and flashed a few new V3 boulders, cause I was climbing with a new partner today, neither of us wanted to do anything we didn’t feel secure finishing. My projects are the exceptions.

Nearly got a new V5. My second V6 has “matured” too much with oils, rubber and chalk making the holds too slick. Same for a few of my older V5 sends. Can’t do them now.

Turned down a trip to Yosemite and Red Rocks, citing that I’m too busy at my job and family.     Have to travel to the great PNW for my ageing mother’s birthday. That seems like a decent reason?   

Kris - "athletic" would be one way to describe the wide crack finish of Norwegian Wood! It would have been a pretty desperate lead for me. On toprope I reached deep and got a series of pretty solid fist jams, stuffing my right foot in the crack and using some decent scoops out left for my other foot. Bernadette climbed it after me, very smoothly stemming outside of the crack at the top.

I once took my sport climbing friend Ed up a multi pitch black fly infested romp in NH that cumulated in a nasty off width pitch. As I looked down I see Ed delicately dancing up the arette on the outside of the nasty chasm. He arrived effortlessly at the belay and showed me his unscared hands.  Se these Niky. they don't jam ;)

My hands after a severe thrashing BINTD

 Hit up out local Granit dome just 25 min from my place. Did one long slab pitch. I usually hike this but it felt scary yesterday.  A fella could get hurt if they slipped. Some big runnouts.  the NH boys on the classic 5.11  200 ft above us. I passed on that pitch. Not that strong anymore. 

Reed rapping the scary pitch I led. 

Easy but don't fall... 

 mamma Bear

Willoughby Gap

cold and rainy today. 

Nick, that looks cozy.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! 

You rock!

Happy Mother’s Day to you all!  

This video has been a huge inspiration for me, watching James Kelly fly.. 

And my version of that great ride is this…

My kids only knew one kind of mom for 40 years. Now they are quite confused.     Talking to each one today they’re not quite sure what to say.  (“Mom, you’re not hiking where there are snakes are you?”).     

Lori, my family and I are headed to Joshua Tree to see the northern lights. I’m bringing boulder pads, chalk bag and shoes.

Li Huwrote:

Lori, my family and I are headed to Joshua Tree to see the northern lights. I’m bringing boulder pads, chalk bag and shoes.

Hold up, Li Hu!

Naked eye, the aurora was subtle, out south of Boise last night, just after full dark. But with the phone camera.....

I didn't get the "OMG!!" moment I hoped for, but nonetheless thrilled to see this at all, and here, too.

So so tired, though....

Lori Milaswrote:

Hold up, Li Hu!

But if you come anyway be sure to call or text me. 

We’re eating dinner in Yucca Valley.

Traffic is better today. We’re mainly going for a quick “getaway”. We promise not to block traffic.