Looking for a partner in Joshua Tree!

Hey there, I’m getting back into climbing after a year or two break. Now I live close to Jtree and feel like it’s a no brainer to get back into it. I’ve bouldered a couple years in the gym and outside. I recently went top-roping for the first time (5.10 a,b,c) and it was a blast, so I bought some gear for it. I have no one to climb out here with and would appreciate any help! I don’t care if we boulder, or top rope, or something else, I just want to climb!

With all due respect, for the rope portion of this, it sounds like you're asking for a guide.  That is a paid service and there are plenty of them out in J-tree who can help you out.  Other options are to find a gym that is set up for lead climbing and take their courses on top rope and lead climbing.  They're generally inexpensive and informative enough.  Or you can wait for someone who is willing to take you out and may or may not teach you how to do things safely.  If you can at least equip yourself with proper knowledge/experience in giving a good lead catch, you'll have more luck finding partners.  Not trying to be a jerk, I love the stoke and that alone makes for a fun partner.  Just trying to give some relevant advice to staying safe outside and increasing your odds of finding partners.  Good luck!

Gina Schaefer wrote:

With all due respect, for the rope portion of this, it sounds like you're asking for a guide.  

Or he's looking for just a partner. As long as he gives a safe belay, he's partner material.

Edit: If you don't know how to lead belay yet, or give a good toprope belay, then you should seek instruction before you seek partners.

Gina Schaefer wrote:

With all due respect, for the rope portion of this, it sounds like you're asking for a guide.  That is a paid service and there are plenty of them out in J-tree who can help you out.  Other options are to find a gym that is set up for lead climbing and take their courses on top rope and lead climbing.  They're generally inexpensive and informative enough.  Or you can wait for someone who is willing to take you out and may or may not teach you how to do things safely.  If you can at least equip yourself with proper knowledge/experience in giving a good lead catch, you'll have more luck finding partners.  Not trying to be a jerk, I love the stoke and that alone makes for a fun partner.  Just trying to give some relevant advice to staying safe outside and increasing your odds of finding partners.  Good luck!

Thanks for the insight.

FrankPS wrote:

Or he's looking for just a partner. As long as he gives a safe belay, he's partner material.

Edit: If you don't know how to lead belay yet, or give a good toprope belay, then you should seek instruction before you seek partners.

I can belay top rope, never belayed lead before. 

Hey Evan, with reference to some of the comments above (and not to invalidate them), I live in j tree and would gladly take you out for some rope climbs. We can work on lead belaying, but I’ll ask you to do some research on your own (check out hard is easy’s masterclass on belaying on YouTube.. you can skip a couple of the videos on carabiners and belay devices if you already know that stuff). Also perfectly happy to just set up TRs or boulder. Let me know. I climb many week nights and if I’m not out of town I’ll climb weekend mornings or evenings.

Wyatt Frakes wrote:

Hey Evan, with reference to some of the comments above (and not to invalidate them), I live in j tree and would gladly take you out for some rope climbs. We can work on lead belaying, but I’ll ask you to do some research on your own (check out hard is easy’s masterclass on belaying on YouTube.. you can skip a couple of the videos on carabiners and belay devices if you already know that stuff). Also perfectly happy to just set up TRs or boulder. Let me know. I climb many week nights and if I’m not out of town I’ll climb weekend mornings or evenings.

Sweet! I will watch that set of videos. I am down for whatever, although I’d rather focus more on rope climbs than bouldering.