Murf > Forum Messages

May 15, 2026 Protection and difficulty are two separate skills, and both keep you alive. Never challenge yourself in both at the same time.I use this one on newer climbers ( and older climb… View Message

Apr 10, 2026 I love that a couple of sub-par routes in Josh can spark so much introspective discussion.Climbing there is actually *way down* and there isn't enough climbers to fill up the c… View Message

Feb 17, 2026 So cool to see Fresh Squeezed ( another Bob Gaines root.  ); we just did a pass through that area not too long ago.  Another friend did as well a couple of weeks late… View Message

Sep 25, 2025 James - is that this year for Split?  I was supposed to do it last w/e but life intervened. View Message

Sep 22, 2025 Li - Have you been getting tuned up on Idyllwild granite this season?  Vampire can be a pain to get off of depending on how far you make it. View Message

Jul 28, 2025 Haven't been on a rope a ton lately, but here is a recent ascent.  Some people may see some familiar things: View Message

Jul 16, 2025 Wow - Suicide afternoon with Levy and EE I'm sure fun was had!  I just went to that Fish Creek and Levy's routes were the among the standouts. View Message

Jul 8, 2025 Thanks for this suggestion, I've really been enjoying Constitutional podcast. So many things that I likely should have known already. View Message

Jun 23, 2025 God I used to love the sound of my own typing.....   View Message

May 18, 2025 Guy, not sure what you are saying about me, but I've had the same handle since the bbs days.You and I have also climbing next to each other, granted I don't think we've shared… View Message

May 16, 2025 Damn!  That was some Brutus of the Wyde style poetry right there.... Thank You View Message

May 13, 2025 Lori - Blackjack is kinda average IMO.  I know it's close to the road, but there are far better lines to throw yourself on and Bob knows 'em all. View Message

Dec 19, 2024 Lori I wouldn't recommend The Big Apple.  About 3/4 of the way up is a common roosting spot and last time I did it the bird crap solidly covered the ledge.My best to Tony,… View Message

Nov 23, 2024 Lori - Fisticuffs is a boutique route, if you have big hands its not really that bad.  If you don't it's unpleasant.  Its a simple walk down from Tumbling Rainbow as… View Message

Nov 15, 2024 Brian, you always have a photo or two I don't think I've seen in the archive, thanks for this.   I'm even wearing Mad Rocks!   Ho Man! View Message

Nov 15, 2024 Rock Valley Garden can be crowded as well.  There is no simple way that I know of to get from the top of LHW to the next level down ( top of RVG ).  It there is, you… View Message

Nov 11, 2024 Hidden Dome is awesome, but can be freakishly chilly on a cold day.  Plus it is oddly strenuous to get to. View Message

Nov 11, 2024 Apogee, not sure what you are looking for, but its not very hard to get away from people honestly.  Especially this time of year almost anywhere  a bit off the road w… View Message

Mar 25, 2024 All the above have great suggestions; one good alternative that I stumbled upon is any combo of the Bigfoot Trail/Panorama trail.  The Panorama trail is a really pretty up… View Message

Mar 8, 2024 Oh man!  Hole in the Wall is way harder than the newer and better protected Brownie Girl ( showing yet again that 10+ is harder than .10d ).  Well done on the tronsit… View Message

Dec 11, 2023 Bob you don't know how happy this makes me ;) View Message

Dec 11, 2023 Use your running shoes for both the approach and the route! View Message

Aug 19, 2023 I'm confused.  You have a 70 yr old female and a 65+ male with recent back surgery.  The neighbor is well known to law enforcement and has had swat called at least on… View Message

Jul 11, 2023 Guy, methinks you know duh, and he knows SoCal. View Message

Jun 11, 2023 Looks like the Bugs, but a bit like 3rd Pillar of Dana ( its obviously not ).  Sweet looking pitch though. View Message

Jun 11, 2023 Party was super fun, Todd was firing on all cylinders, DE is looking great, hell Big Al was there and Tucker too.  I even saw Tan Slacks briefly. View Message

Jun 11, 2023 I've done it at least once, maybe twice, can't remember for sure.  Pretty fun; on the list for a repeat when we do a Hot Tub/Steve's Canyon day. View Message

May 22, 2023 Public Service Announcement:  That route, which used to be called "Rad Nad" has the dubious honor of having the most caked on bird shit I've ever climbed through.  Th… View Message

Mar 19, 2023 @BobGaines - I try and climb all the new ones when I can.  The new Brownie Girl Dome routes are great.  Brown Eye Girl in both its starts is really fun, and prot… View Message

Mar 18, 2023 Every time I get suckered onto a Gaines routes that is jussstttttt harder than the grade advertised ( for mere mortals ) with bolts that are jusssstttt a move or two higher tha… View Message

Nov 1, 2022 Seller was awesome, tracking receipt next day after payment.  Very satisfied. View Message

Jul 29, 2022 Bob walked *just* a bit farther and got a good one Sockeye View Message

Jun 29, 2022 Lori Milaswrote:I assume this is Mary Worth Buttress and Welcome To Joshua Tree on this formation?What is this? Past Watergate a ways…this formation stands all by i… View Message

Apr 19, 2022 I'll take that Yellow Alien..... Better not be covered in purple paint. View Message

Mar 29, 2022 Boomers have a bunch of REI D's.  Doesn't matter how much it costs really. View Message

Mar 29, 2022 Doesn't matter, you can haul whatever you need on a route you can rap with what you have.  Pull up your partners least favorite gear and leave it. View Message