SummitPost.org

Well,
There we were. All set to head to the Sierra when the leading edge of winter changed our plans. After a bit of due diligence, our group will be heading to J Tree. We are five fun (AS IN 5-FUN) climbers...Much more at home in a alpine setting. Thumbs up or down? Is Echo Rock the right area for fun in the sun? Suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,
Tad

All of Jtree's areas have decent comparative routes and are easy to get to....Touch and Go and Pope's Crack are two of the better 5.9 routes in Jtree and are in the Echo area. Swept Away is a stellar 5.11. There is tons to chose from really, at all grades. The campsites are always crowded, but the climbing not so bad just because there is so much of it, particularly if you go mid week. In Feb once, we climbed 13 routes in one day, and never saw another climber.

Why go to J-Tree and the Crowds of LA???

I suggest this area just below the escarpment of the Eastern Sierra. Low to absolutely NO crowds and tons of great routes. You can even camp for free at the base of many of the routes. Just please make sure you clean up everything and leave nothing behind.

The A-Hills.

My next-next trip! My friends and I make semi regular 1 day turn-around trips to the Whitney region. The idea of breakfast at the Alabama Hills Cafe and a day or two of exploring...I can't wait. When I am not a waaay to old dad for a real young family, or sticking people with needles and running around in a shiny red rig...I am the worlds most prolific armchair/easy chair mountaineer. (Meaning I have the guidebook) With tongue firmly in cheek, Chief...Tell me where to go!

Cheers,
Tad