Cults in Idyllwild?

I’m looking to join a cult in idyll wild. Preferably one that likes to climb on tahquitz.

Nah jk.

Last night I stealth slept in my car at humber park for an early start. At midnight I woke up to 8~ adults and two children chanting prayers in the dark. There was one or two bowing on the ground, the kids standing off on the hillside and the rest of them were scattered about. One guy was the one chanting loudly and so quickly.

My luck—they pulled up and parked right next to me so I hopped up front and pulled out of there once I woke up. They were gone when I came back in the morning  

Soooooo anyone else? I feel like it was probably just a weird idy church event but idk. 

Cesar Cardenaswrote:

I’m looking to join a cult in idyll wild. Preferably one that likes to climb on tahquitz.

Nah jk.

Last night I stealth slept in my car at humber park for an early start. At midnight I woke up to 8~ adults and two children chanting prayers in the dark. There was one or two bowing on the ground, the kids standing off on the hillside and the rest of them were scattered about. One guy was the one chanting loudly and so quickly.

My luck—they pulled up and parked right next to me so I hopped up front and pulled out of there once I woke up. They were gone when I came back in the morning  

Soooooo anyone else? I feel like it was probably just a weird idy church event but idk. 

We ran into them chanting in Humber park at ~10 pm a few weeks ago, and some visiting AZ climbers I chatted to said they had the same experience while bivying in humber park a week or two before that. Seems like a pretty active cult, I might see if I can join in for a chant or two next time :)

Cesar Cardenaswrote:

I’m looking to join a cult in idyll wild. Preferably one that likes to climb on tahquitz.

Nah jk.

Last night I stealth slept in my car at humber park for an early start. At midnight I woke up to 8~ adults and two children chanting prayers in the dark. There was one or two bowing on the ground, the kids standing off on the hillside and the rest of them were scattered about. One guy was the one chanting loudly and so quickly.

My luck—they pulled up and parked right next to me so I hopped up front and pulled out of there once I woke up. They were gone when I came back in the morning  

Soooooo anyone else? I feel like it was probably just a weird idy church event but idk. 

Was tradiban among them?

Witches. Did they ever find those people who went missing years ago? They, and Satan might be responsible for Tradiban.

Gumby Kingwrote:

Was tradiban among them?

He’s exacting his revenge for being banned

Yes, there are quite a few camps in Idyllwild that are religiously based. Call that what you will.

apogeewrote:

Yes, there are quite a few camps in Idyllwild that are religiously based. Call that what you will.

Cult!

Geeze, what the hell?! They clearly want a bit of an audience or they’d not do their thing in a public parking lot. 

I would guess this could be a group of native americans doing some sort of ritual. I was walking out of Stoney Point the other night and there was a similar scene to what you described happening under one of the trees. I come to find out later that it was a special tree for the Tongva and they performed ceremonies there. 

Should probably shut Taquitz down out of respect.

Reminds me of this classic TR: http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/238594/TR-My-visit-to-the-Canoe

Sue Hopkinswrote:

Reminds me of this classic TR: http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/238594/TR-My-visit-to-the-Canoe

Now THAT was a great read! Thanks. I’ll have to search Supertopo for more such literature. 

Daniel Joderwrote:

Now THAT was a great read! Thanks. I’ll have to search Supertopo for more such literature. 

It’s really too bad the photos are gone. they were great too.  

Cameron Krusewrote:

I would guess this could be a group of native americans doing some sort of ritual. I was walking out of Stoney Point the other night and there was a similar scene to what you described happening under one of the trees. I come to find out later that it was a special tree for the Tongva and they performed ceremonies there. 

Cameron….. we went and talked to the people chanting under the big oak.
These folks belong to a religion. They believe if you “speak” about your sins along with other sinners (we all are, you know) out loud, God hears your cry for forgiveness, and will cleanse you.
That tree is sacred- to many. That was the exact spot where I passed the rigorous belay test by hip belaying!!! The 150 pound “Sierra Sow” hit like a ton of bricks!

(Be careful if hanging out under that one, the big main branch, is fairly close to snapping off. Maybe tomorrow, maybe 18 years from now.) 

Many have gone missing in that area. I would be very careful when interacting with this chanting cult.

Many have gone missing in that area. I would be very careful when interacting with this chanting cult.

HS Gilmourwrote:

Many have gone missing in that area.

Ummm, no. But if that internet conspiracy theory helps reduce the number of tourons in town seeking a pic with a golden retriever, I’m all for it…

Sue Hopkinswrote:

It’s really too bad the photos are gone. they were great too.  

This version has photos. What a great read!

http://www.supertopo.com/tr/TR-My-visit-to-the-Canoe/t144n.html

Sean Andersonwrote:

This version has photos. What a great read!

http://www.supertopo.com/tr/TR-My-visit-to-the-Canoe/t144n.html

Oh awesome. Thanks!

Colonel Mustardwrote:

Cult!

Geeze, what the hell?! They clearly want a bit of an audience or they’d not do their thing in a public parking lot. 

You know... midnight in Humber, ain't too public. And really, the chanters are not camping, and have more privilege being there than the bootleggers catching a bivy...

This cult seems pretty developed. Good for them, I  always thought it would be cool to start one. Some guidelines that may help:

• Center your cult around an "obsession" that can help and benefit others in the long run.
• Organize your cult by picking a leader, creating rules, finding a place to gather, and developing a slogan.
• Carefully evangelize about your cult and gradually grow your membership.
• Continue to focus on the object of your cult's obsession and how it can benefit others' lives.

• Climbing can certainly become obsessive, but it's pretty hard to see how it benefits anyone else.
• 'Pick a leader?' In climbing? That's rich...
• Gyms and social media have been very effective places to evangelize climbing.
• Yeah, no. Climbing is incredibly self-centered....ain't gonna benefit anyone else’s  life, really.

This is what you were suggesting, right?