PRINT: Rock Climb The Balloon That Would Not Die, Joshua Tree National Park

The Balloon That Would Not Die

5.7, Trad, 220 ft (67 m), 2 pitches,

Avg: 2 from 3 votes
FA: Dave Evans, AJ Burch
California > Joshua Tree NP > Indian Cove > Rattlesnake Canyon > Valley of Kings > Trad Crag

Access Issue: Temporary Closure in effect from April 3 to June 15, 2024 Details

Temporary Closure for Nesting Raptors
Date Posted: 4/4/2024
Due to the presence of nesting raptors, the following rock climbing areas are temporarily closed: Slatanic Area, Rattlesnake Buttress, Margaret Thatcher Spire, The Stepping Stones, The Bulkhead, The Dunce Cap, and Commissioner’s Buttress.

Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

The Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent's Compendium states that:
1. Vegetation is not allowed to be used as an anchor.
2. Only neutral or rock colored bolt hangers are allowed.

For a complete list of climbing rules and closures visit:
nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Description

This route climbs the left side of the bowling pin shaped pillar. The right side has a super clean dihedral near the top. Steep and wide at the bottom, it soon gets lower angle and is similar to the Easy Lark on Tahquitz. There is a rap anchor on a ledge near the top that would work for both right and left side descents.

Protection

Standard rack up to 4".

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Good shot of both routes - yellow line shows the easy traverse to the clean dihedral variation.

Clean the whole way, crux just below me.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

David Evans

5.7

2 stars out of 5. Apr 29, 2003

Dustin Stephens

Traversing into the gorgeous dihedral on the right made this about 5.8, super good. 2 raps down with a 70, have to kind of improvise the 2nd rappel, we went way out climber's right to a decent tree below the 5.10 Jun 6, 2020