What is the summit like at Joshua Tree? If you climbed a bolted route, and expect a fat two bolt anchor with chains, you are in for a surprise. If you expected an obvious walk-off, surprise again. Expect this: Blue blue skies. Red and bloody fingertips. Friendly reptiles. New ropes showing significant wear and fraying. Cracks that eat your gear and fingers. Friction climbing that is unbelievable. Runouts. Pungent tangy smells of sage and creosote. Belaying from the car bumper. Hour long hikes to some climb, with only you and your climbing friends, lost in the Wonderland of Rocks. My top ten favorite climbs at Joshua Tree: 10. Double Cross. 9. Sticher Quits (Black Dike). 8. Sail Away. 7. Mental Physics. 6. Lightning Crack. 5. Sitting here in Limbo. 4. Cryptic. 3. Walk on the Wild Side. 2. Bird of Fire. 1. Loose Lady.
darinchadwick - May 21, 2003 8:24 am
Route Climbed: Ha, well, to be true local, you have to climb 1,000 routes. I'm 15% local. Date Climbed: Began in 1996, will stop around the year 2050.What is the summit like at Joshua Tree?
If you climbed a bolted route, and expect a fat two bolt anchor with chains, you are in for a surprise.
If you expected an obvious walk-off, surprise again.
Expect this:
Blue blue skies.
Red and bloody fingertips.
Friendly reptiles.
New ropes showing significant wear and fraying.
Cracks that eat your gear and fingers.
Friction climbing that is unbelievable.
Runouts.
Pungent tangy smells of sage and creosote.
Belaying from the car bumper.
Hour long hikes to some climb, with only you and your climbing friends, lost in the Wonderland of Rocks.
My top ten favorite climbs at Joshua Tree:
10. Double Cross.
9. Sticher Quits (Black Dike).
8. Sail Away.
7. Mental Physics.
6. Lightning Crack.
5. Sitting here in Limbo.
4. Cryptic.
3. Walk on the Wild Side.
2. Bird of Fire.
1. Loose Lady.