New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #29

Kid!! Have a wonderful Birthday.
(yea it’s a day late and probably a few dollars short but you know….)

Happy birthday Nick. 62 is a good age where you start getting used to being old. 

Happy birthday Nick! Great photos!

Happy birthday Nick!  62 explains A LOT!     You’re still a babe!  I hope you had a wonderful day and many more to come.    

Carl Schneiderwrote:

Happy birthday Nick. 62 is a good age where you start getting used to being old. 

Bah!  I’m 63 and still in denial, so he has plenty of time to pretend that he’s still young.

Todd Berlier wrote:

thuis is the best thing I've seen today!!!

My 12 year old daughter and me getting cold therapy in our swimming hole in New Hampshire.

We have been doing cold therapy in Isa's pond and my stream several times a day. got out on a fun 3 pitch sport climb today and a couple single pitches. 

Todd Berlier wrote:

this is the best thing I've seen today!!!

Agree!
Wish we had that this past Saturday. We got baked attending our daughter's (outdoor) HS Commencement ceremony.
Yes, it is crazy. She is headed to college....
Cherish the next few years, Todd and Ward, for they will go by super fast with all the activities and teenage drama.
The business of getting a driver's license will turn out well in the end so don't get too stressed over it!!

S. Neohwrote:

We got baked attending our daughter's (outdoor) HS Commencement ceremony.

Sweet! I got baked before my HS graduation. But my parents were definitely NOT firing up during the ceremony. Times certainly have changed.

Colden Darkwrote:

Sweet! I got baked before my HS graduation. But my parents were definitely NOT firing up during the ceremony. Times certainly have changed.

LOL!
Baked as in by the strong sun, not chemically induced. I luv the thought though! :) 

Colden Darkwrote:

Sweet! I got baked before my HS graduation. But my parents were definitely NOT firing up during the ceremony. Times certainly have changed.

Same here:>) 

And your car might not survive the driving lesson. I taught my 2 kids how to drive a stick shift, makes them part of a tiny minority.
They had to change a tire, check the oil and start on a hill without hitting the cones I put behind the car, before they were handed keys. I also made them drive, with the daily commuters on the Angeles highway. (A twisty mt. road) ME: “you must be able to drive your Miata fast enough to keep up with pickup trucks so you’re not a danger on the highway….”
Tough love.

Good times 

Later all

Happy birthday Nick! Who was the former owner of those jaw bones???!?

Off to COR in only a week! I've tacked on a few days, so it's now 11-18 up in the group camp, and 18-21 tenting in the RV park. I belong to a Plein Air painting group, and they are coming over for that second little stretch. Also gives me more overlap with you who are coming later. :-)

Partner still needs to get himself together, but yes, he does still know which way a rope goes. Sort of. In fairness, COR rock fakes us out, every time. It takes some getting used to, rock you can actually climb on, feet that miraculously stay where you put them, holds that don't snap off in your hand....

But. 

Sadly?

It is definitely getting polished, on a few of the most heavily traveled routes. They are harder now, especially at the start. 

So, what happens to grades? Do they stay the original, with a comment? Or do they creep up, over time? Just curious. For myself? I just figure I'm climbing a harder route than you are, simply based on needing about 20% more moves than you more average height people to cover the same ground, plus, the placement of everything is different for me. Anchors get real interesting sometimes....

Sorting through the post camping trip carnage....to get it all sorted, cleaned, repacked .....and back in the car.   

Old lady Hwrote:

Happy birthday Nick! Who was the former owner of those jaw bones???!?

Off to COR in only a week! I've tacked on a few days, so it's now 11-18 up in the group camp, and 18-21 tenting in the RV park. I belong to a Plein Air painting group, and they are coming over for that second little stretch. Also gives me more overlap with you who are coming later. :-)

Partner still needs to get himself together, but yes, he does still know which way a rope goes. Sort of. In fairness, COR rock fakes us out, every time. It takes some getting used to, rock you can actually climb on, feet that miraculously stay where you put them, holds that don't snap off in your hand....

But. 

Sadly?

It is definitely getting polished, on a few of the most heavily traveled routes. They are harder now, especially at the start. 

So, what happens to grades? Do they stay the original, with a comment? Or do they creep up, over time? Just curious. For myself? I just figure I'm climbing a harder route than you are, simply based on needing about 20% more moves than you more average height people to cover the same ground, plus, the placement of everything is different for me. Anchors get real interesting sometimes....

Sorting through the post camping trip carnage....to get it all sorted, cleaned, repacked .....and back in the car.   

OLH…. The secret is to never un-pack… just haul the kitchen box inside and wash it all up.

Guy Keeseewrote:

OLH…. The secret is to never un-pack… just haul the kitchen box inside and wash it all up.

Yeah, the counter has all the dishes to wash. The laundry is in the dryer. Most of it all has places to live, when not used. 

But that used to include the garage.

Now demolished.

The camping climbing exercise equipment art stuff storage and sometimes guest room in the house now also has the bicycle, the lawnmower, the garden tools, painting supplies....

Such fun. 

Still waiting on the surveyor, to mark property corners, before the real construction begins. Hopefully soon. In theory, by the time I'm back from COR, they would have all the concrete done.

In theory.

Glad to see everyone is out and having a good time. You’re a good dad, Guy. I could’ve passed all those requirements, even on Angeles Crest. I love driving a stick. And I think I might be the best parallel parker of this entire group.   

But I might not be the best hiker, yet. I have slowly been learning whole parts of this park on foot. Yesterday someone called me “an experienced desert hiker“ and I have to admit that’s partially true. But I am missing some basic skills.  

So for the last few days, I have been slowly experimenting with the supposed trail towards the Wonderland. At least from the parking lot there claims to be a well marked and well defined trail. And at least six times the trail splits into two with no signage and absolutely no idea what lies ahead.  I am relying on my memory to get me back including little self reminders like “stay left, go right at the big tree…”. So I keep wondering how many dead bodies are out there. This is no time for Alzheimer’s.   

I am assuming that what I am looking at off the distance has something to do with the Wonderland, but how would I ever know? And you know what they say about assume…

So I will just keep coming back in the early mornings and keep moving a little further and look for any reasonable map although, other than general direction, what can they really tell you? Walk around this boulder, scramble over that boulder?  Trails and washes all look the same.

but here’s some very satisfying news. I have deduced that there is no other way to the long crack on the left formation of Hunk Rock than the way I thought which is kind of a lousy option. But I think I can stop looking for alternate routes.  I’d really like to climb this.

I hope everyone has a great day.  

Go to Uncle Willies and make a left over some small boulders to get in the wash. Then just follow it north. 

I thought I had shared this here, but maybe not...

Greg Oplandwrote:

Go to Uncle Willies and make a left over some small boulders to get in the wash. Then just follow it north. 

That was Dissolution Rock?  OMG, I need a chaperone!    

My ultimate destination is the Astro Dome, but I'm ok with never getting there alone.  I know there are friends and guides who will walk me all the way... but there's something about getting to know my surroundings that alleviates the panic of being in strange places.  I just want to know where I am and see what I see.  

Glad I stopped in my tracks today, because by your map I would never have gotten close.  

----

Your post and map reminded me of something I have been feeling deeply lately:  you all are so kind.  I know there's a lot of bashing and hate around (but not here!), but among this group of climbers, and among Joshua Tree climbers especially, I feel such good will, so much rooting for each other and genuine support.  It does take a village, and we seem determined to have one.  Thank you, all!   

Edit:  HOLD UP!  The Afro Blues Wall is there?  Oh, this feels hopeless.  I sat atop another crag last year, looking at that wall, wondering about the long crack on it.  Where was I sitting?  Wow... 

Once you're in the wash west of Uncle Willies, it's pretty much obvious to follow north, but as you get into the area past Foolproof Tower, the whole thing opens up and you have to pay attention because there are several canyons that sort of merge in that area. But if you just take note and remember Foolproof Tower, that will steer you right back into the same wash you came from when you're headed back. A few decades back, people actually told us "oh my God, the Wonderland... it's so easy to get lost back there", but if you keep your eyes open and note landmarks and such, I don't think it's that hard to get around.  Can't miss the Astrodomes for one major landmark.

Foolproot Tower - take note of the obvious striking crack (High Strung, 5.9) -  see arrows, and the big roof. Great route.

Greg Oplandwrote:

Once you're in the wash west of Uncle Willies, it's pretty much obvious to follow north, but as you get into the area past Foolproof Tower, the whole thing opens up and you have to pay attention because there are several canyons that sort of merge in that area. But if you just take note and remember Foolproof Tower, that will steer you right back into the same wash you came from when you're headed back. A few decades back, people actually told us "oh my God, the Wonderland... it's so easy to get lost back there", but if you keep your eyes open and note landmarks and such, I don't think it's that hard to get around.  Can't miss the Astrodomes for one major landmark.

Foolproot Tower - take note of the obvious striking crack (High Strung, 5.9) -  see arrows, and the big roof. Great route.

 

Ha ha! Greg you are so sweet to take the time to direct me to the Wonderland.  But the more I review your directions the more I am convinced this whole thing is a very bad idea!    I can see how this could go badly a hundred different ways… hiking alone, in a place I don’t know, trying not to get lost among converging canyons.

I’ll see how far I can get in a comfortable way and then maybe dial up an Uber-hike delivery service.