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I've lived in a number of small towns, some are way out in the middle of nowhere.

The problem with Trona isn't that it's a small town, or even that it's in a very hot place (though that isn't a point in its favor). It's that it's a dying industrial town, with lots of smells, a fair amount of pollutionm, abandoned buildings, and lots of half-used industrial equipment. It emits a very bleak vibe.

McCannster wrote:Yeah, Trona is pretty bad, but is it as bad as this place?
Smells as bad, if not worse, more humid and hotter than Trona, AND you can't even go swimming in the GIGANTIC body of water that is about 10 yards behind the picture.

Anybody know where it is? (HINT, pretty close to J Tree).

Looks like Keeler, but subtract the humid part and add arsenic-laden dust.

KathyW wrote:

Gary Schenk wrote:Trona. I don't care how close it is to Great Falls Basin, it's still Trona.

I've gotta agree.

Doesn't give a good impression when you drive through there.

Dougb wrote:"Anybody know where it is? (HINT, pretty close to J Tree)."

Bombay Beach?

Right!

got to be needles

I live in Ridgecrest and love it. The only thing better would be the Bishop area. I used to live in LA at one time when I was more of a "city boy", but really started to dislike the place after a while. I moved up this way because it gets me closer to what I love. I realized recently just how much I really don't like "big city" living anymore, when I had the realization I would rather move to Trona than go back to LA

Bob Burd wrote:

Dougb wrote:After all, Ridgecrest is only 20 miles away, and ya never hear negative remarks about Ridgecrest.

You're kidding, right?

The best thing about Ridgecrest is it lies at the triple divide point for peakbaggers between the SPS/DPS/HPS lists. The next best thing is .... the Starbucks? the Walmart? the mild summer weather? The only reason it exists is because of the military base, no?

I'd have to agree with Bob here. Ridgecrest sucks!

How about Fort Bragg, CA. Is there any climbing in that area??

granite4brains wrote: The only thing better would be the Bishop area.

I'd say Trona except that you're not that far from the grand mecca of beer in Panamint Springs:



And there is some pretty wicked climbing behind Trona on the way to Argus Peak... grrr... can't remember the name... Great Falls Basin?

I'd vote for Darwin.

What's the worst place in California, if you're a climber?

Inside.

Gary Schenk wrote:Trona. I don't care how close it is to Great Falls Basin, it's still Trona.

HAHAHA!! Trona is a 'hop, skip and a jump' from east side climbing. Possibly 2 and half hour drive to Lone Pine, Kernville......even shorter to the Owens Ridge, where some of the best kept secret climbing (high quality clean granite) is at. You don't get out much, do you Gary?

And granite4brains.....you really don't have room to make a discussion point.......since you never got out of the city limits the whole time I live there (2 years). Pinged you a few times here on SP to see if you wanted to join up for a few adventures on the "Ridge" or up to LP. No joy. Stop making out with your XBox and get out! (just teasing).

And Great Basin Falls is a decent spot to get in some 'old skool' roots. Try any of the Vernon/Loomis roots and you'll quickly discover that its truly unique. Give these a try: 'Psycho Killer Pillar' (5.9), Frosted Flakes (.10a), Black Ice (.10 b/c)....the later two are pretty spicy, especially BI. I got spit off three times on it trying to pass the 1st bolt (super slick rock!).

Posted this on the Taco Stand last year....

The Ghosts Of Great Basin Falls

I really like the climbing at Great Falls Basin near Trona. There are some very good routes there.

2.5 hours to Lone Pine? What are you driving, a VW van?

Bob Burd wrote:

Dougb wrote:After all, Ridgecrest is only 20 miles away, and ya never hear negative remarks about Ridgecrest.

You're kidding, right?

The best thing about Ridgecrest is it lies at the triple divide point for peakbaggers between the SPS/DPS/HPS lists. The next best thing is .... the Starbucks? the Walmart? the mild summer weather? The only reason it exists is because of the military base, no?

Bob -

The topic point.....keep to the topic point. Ridgecrest makes for an excellent departure point to play in Inyo and Kern Co's. In fact, now that I'm down in Edwards AFB, I hate being further away from the east side. Sure, I can always go to New Jack City (sportos in spandos.....next) or Devil's Puchbowl (check in the box....next). But I'd rather be driving from Ridgecrest to LP and beyond (just 45 minutes to LP from RC) than driving from the Bay area and mess with a 4 plus hour drive.

2.5 hours to Lone Pine? What are you driving, a VW van?

HAHAHA!!

No, Kris.....I was considering Gary's geriatric situation.