City of Rocks guidebook - print vs app

Hi, visiting City of Rocks later this year and looking for a guidebook.

It seems that the latest print edition is by Dave Bingham, published 2016.

I see there is also a digital update via Gunks Apps, latest release 2023.

Can I just confirm that there is no print edition newer than 2016? 

If not, to what extent is the app info improved over the 2016 book? 

I prefer print guidebooks where possible, but it sounds like the app updates are significant.

Thanks!

The 2016 guidebook is very nice and also includes Castle Rocks.

There has not been much route development in either City or Castle due to several moratoriums and permitting issues.  So I'm not sure what the 2023 app version really offers.  Maybe updated anchor/walk off info?  I don't think you'll notice any difference for your trip.

Thanks both!

Charlie Swrote:

The 2016 guidebook is very nice and also includes Castle Rocks.

There has not been much route development in either City or Castle due to several moratoriums and permitting issues.  So I'm not sure what the 2023 app version really offers.  Maybe updated anchor/walk off info?  I don't think you'll notice any difference for your trip.

Okay that’s good to know. The 2023 app referred I think to mistakes etc being corrected as well as maybe 50-100 more routes, so it does sound like there is some substance to the latest update. Just trying to gauge how much. We’re only going to be there for a few days at least this time around so there’s probably not much in it.

All the best stuff will be in that book and will be enough to keep you busy and happy for weeks!

grug gwrote:

All the best stuff will be in that book and will be enough to keep you busy and happy for weeks!

Aye aye, thank you!

I have spare copy if you go book route

During my first trip to The City I found the Climb-On map to be useful for navigating the maze of trails in Circle Creek. Certainly not a requirement as most trails and formations are pretty well marked.

Hey Michael, I helped work on Dave Bingham's Gunks Apps digital guide. It has everything in Dave's print book, but includes base photos of almost every route, some new routes, corrections, and a geo-referenced map feature that places a bulls-eye on the map to show your location relative to the routes and trails.

I have the updated guidebook by Bingham in the Gunks Apps. Lots of new routes added and it is nice to be able to zoom into a photo on your phone when you are out on the rocks. Also the navigation feature is fun to play with and works in the City and Castle Rocks without cell service.

I agree with the above posts that the 2016 hard copy is all that is needed for the trip that was planned or that Mountain Project would do. But I'd like to ask a question in this thread about a specific climb rather than start a new thead.

I'm interested in putting together Cup Cake and the third pitch of Zinger for a 5.7  to the top of Castle Rock. The updated guidebook in the Gunks App still shows this as possible, There is a 2023 comment in Mountain Project that Cup Cake ends at Fruit Pie and there is an unprotected traverse to Zinger to pick up the 5.7 pitch to the top which I do not want to do. Then there is the comment by Doug Smith that says start trending left after the last bolt on Cup Cake to Zinger. Could this be what Bingham was showing on his topo? Is the "trending left" a runout and how long is it? I have trad gear and would bring it up if there were placement possibilities. Bingham doesn't give an R or X protection rating to Cup Cake. Would the "trending left" make it R or X for a 5.7 leader?

Christian Fracchiawrote:

Hey Michael, I helped work on Dave Bingham's Gunks Apps digital guide.

How do we get this?

DebLeewrote:

I have the updated guidebook by Bingham in the Gunks Apps. Lots of new routes added and it is nice to be able to zoom into a photo on your phone when you are out on the rocks. Also the navigation feature is fun to play with and works in the City and Castle Rocks without cell service.

I agree with the above posts that the 2016 hard copy is all that is needed for the trip that was planned or that Mountain Project would do. But I'd like to ask a question in this thread about a specific climb rather than start a new thead.

I'm interested in putting together Cup Cake and the third pitch of Zinger for a 5.7  to the top of Castle Rock. The updated guidebook in the Gunks App still shows this as possible, There is a 2023 comment in Mountain Project that Cup Cake ends at Fruit Pie and there is an unprotected traverse to Zinger to pick up the 5.7 pitch to the top which I do not want to do. Then there is the comment by Doug Smith that says start trending left after the last bolt on Cup Cake to Zinger. Could this be what Bingham was showing on his topo? Is the "trending left" a runout and how long is it? I have trad gear and would bring it up if there were placement possibilities. Bingham doesn't give an R or X protection rating to Cup Cake. Would the "trending left" make it R or X for a 5.7 leader?

Deb, one of those comments may be mine.  I led Cupcake last year.  Very long single pitch which ends at the second anchor of Fruit Pie.  Rope drag was heinous - extend and skip liberally.  This anchor is not where the book shows it - it is lower.  From there you have an unprotected lateral traverse to Zinger - directly sideways.  Maybe 20-30 feet.  This subjects the leader and the second to big swings if they fall.  The terrain is easy - probably  5.6.  

If you want to go all the way up, climbing Zinger is a much cleaner way to do it.  If you want to see Cupcake, you can climb it and descend Fruit Pie with two raps.  PM if you want me to send a photo of the page in the book.  I have the correct anchor locations marked.  I did not look at Doug's comment - maybe there is some other way to do this but I don't think so.

Thanks Jay. I'm pretty clear on what you have described. Was just hoping there was some reason that Cup Cake wasn't updated in the App and there was a protected way to Zinger. 

Gunks Apps has been doing a great job adding new routes and posting corrections. I'm currently working on the new print guidebook with Wolverine and shooting for publication spring 2025. I think Jay is correct in his description. Cupcake ends at the second anchor of Fruit Pie, and the lines in my guide showing a bolted link between p2 of Fruit Pie and the top anchor of Zinger is wrong. Oops.

Dave Binghamwrote:

 I'm currently working on the new print guidebook with Wolverine and shooting for publication spring 2025. 

Dave, excited to hear about a new edition.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the work on the routes and the book.  I have personally purchased at least 5 copies of the book for myself and to give to friends.  Do you want me to compile a list of my markups and send it to you?  Most of my scribbles are on the Castle Rock side and on the moderates since I don't climb hard.  Anchor locations, route lengths, topo (Ryobi goes to the right of the tree), etc.  Happy to compile a list and photo a couple topo pages for you.

Marc801 Cwrote:

How do we get this?

Hey Marc, Links for downloading the app and purchasing licenses are here: https://gunksapps.com/

Dave Binghamwrote:

Cupcake ends at the second anchor of Fruit Pie, and the lines in my guide showing a bolted link between p2 of Fruit Pie and the top anchor of Zinger is wrong. Oops.

The Gunks App guidebook shows the Cup Cake ending at the end of the second pitch of Zinger. So I guess it needs updated too. 

Thanks for all of the climbs that you have put up and the guidebooks that you have put together. Also looking forward to your new hardcopy.

Hi Jay, 

Thanks for the nice comments! I'd love to see your notes / corrections! It's always amazing how multiple proof readers can manage to miss glaring mistakes, but it happens! Don't work too hard on it though, maybe send pics of the pages w issues? dbing621@gmail.com Thanks much!

DebLeewrote:

The Gunks App guidebook shows the Cup Cake ending at the end of the second pitch of Zinger. So I guess it needs updated too. 

Thanks for all of the climbs that you have put up and the guidebooks that you have put together. Also looking forward to your new hardcopy.

Hi Deb, Cup Cake has been fixed and updated in the Gunks App. Thanks for the heads up!

The new City of Rocks and Castle Rocks hardcopy guidebook is available! There are copies available for sale at the Tracy General Store in Almo. Color photos with route lines are beautiful. With a quick look, I can see some new areas and routes. Looking forward to spending more time with the guide. Thanks Dave!