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Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:19 pm
by Kahuna
heysailer wrote:on that note it is also the closest to him from his place...


Funny post.

There are many other lower classed classic climbs that are located on the Westside that Dman can do this time of year.

Here are two super cool hills that are challenging and very worthy:

Sawtooth Peak
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Mount Brewer
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Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:52 pm
by POLUKO
What is the point of being proud of something that you had absolutely no part of. People are born where they are born. Get over yourselves.

Dman, welcome to Cali

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:25 pm
by colinr
:lol: Nobody worry about carrying on too much. This thread is much more interesting than I expected it to be. Many subjects that I have been interested in at one point or another have been covered. I may even have some connection to the genetic topics which I can most easily (but not best) sum up with the term Black Irish. I just ran into one of my sur hiking buddies the other day. His sisters both have kids with northern guys now, so I guess he's had to tone things down some more.

While studying at SLO, I took a California History course from an old professor who would just sit back and tell us long entertaining stories. He suggested several good books that I still have around.

Besides the rockets, the Santa Maria style BBQ is not to be missed. The weather is great and there is plenty to do outside year round, but the best hiking is a bit of a drive if into high peaks.

What is this Sawtooth Peak place? I think I've seen some pictures of it. :D I might even have some pictures of some hardcorp guys on a peak that looks like that floating around my house somewhere. :wink: I hear the road to there can close pretty early and the cliff bands during a thunderstorm is not the safest initiation for beginners. It would be a nice introduction though and thunderstorms are generally not the weather to watch out for in the forecast that time of year.

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:09 pm
by Daria
dman, if you are looking for carpooling/climbing partners, I live in Shell Beach just 20 miles up the coast. I am a Sierra regular and have summitted a fair amount of Sierra peaks, with an interest in both technical and non technical dayhikes of sierra peaks. Ill be back in the states the end of August and plan to get some sierra climbs done before the season ends, but I also like to head out and do some early winter season mountaineering. As for first Sierra attempts for this time frame, I would recommend Mt. Tyndall, Mt. Langley via tuttle creek, then Mt. Williamson is definitely an impressive mountain, you can go up via george creek and knock out Williamson, Trojan, and Barnard for a satisfying and more reclusive experience. Conditions in the sierra late october and into november, you can expect cold and some ice. September is a much better suited month for Sierra wandering. I once did a trip to the Sierra in November to do mt. bradley and had to turn around because everything was iced over making travel very obnoxious.

Nice choice with the central coast!!!

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 6:43 pm
by dman
Daria

I could possibly be interested in doing some climbing with a partner at least to begin. An experienced partner would be much appreciated! Let me know of any trips you have planned or are planning on going on. But like I said early, I have highly limited experience, so it will be a learning experience for me.

3Deserts

Thanks for another great idea for climbing.

I really do appreciate everyone's tips and trip ideas!

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:01 pm
by Kahuna
Good Call on Courtright!

I got three routes there and did lots of the anchor rebolting some ten years ago.

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:50 pm
by colinr
...and Courtright has plentiful free roadside camping with no crowds. You may have the place to yourself that time of year. If we get early storms the road is likely to close.

Re: ^^^^^

PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:07 am
by colinr
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX5bszW1smc[/youtube]

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:21 pm
by Greg Enright
How about a trip to the west side of the Sierra for an introduction to California? Moro Rock and Alta Peak in Sequoia come to mind. Check out those big trees, too. Then a spin up to Mineral King for some of that Southern Sierra high country atmosphere.

You'll have a lot to choose from with the variety of mountains in California. Too much snow in the mountains could mean Joshua Tree would be perfect. Lots of great places to hike in the Coast Ranges when those drives to the Sierra get too tedious. I used to carry a map of the state with roads that I had driven marked with black pen. If I saw a large space on the map without a black line, I would head that way to do some exploring. You can find some great spots that way.

Did some time at Santa Maria High back in the 70's. The school motto was 'We don't give a damn'. The city had a variety of smells that ranged from oil refinery byproducts to agricultural arial spray to sewage. Probably not like that anymore.

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:26 pm
by dman
Greg and 3Deserts,

I really appreciate all these suggestions guys. The more I here from everyone the more excited I get. It seems like almost limitless possibilities and all of them sound so amazing! I cannot wait to make it over and start on a lot of these trips. But keep the suggestions coming, I want a long list!

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:08 am
by Kahuna
3Deserts wrote:Also, you'll see Morro Rock, and want to climb it, but don't: you'll be arrested, as it's protected due to the Peregrine Falcons that live on top.


No true.

Only portions of MR are closed and for only 3-4 Months. The designated closure area/s migrates each Spring as the nesting Peregrines select their location. The area and routes involved are clearly posted at the parking lot. The entire east and south faces are open year round. If you have an questions as to the closures, you can contact my buddy Rene Ardesch who pretty much over sees most of those Peregrine Closures throughout SEKI NP at 559-565-3341, press 1 then press 6 and ask to be transferred to Rene Ardesch who is down at the Three Rivers Entrance Office, during normal working hours Mon-Fri.

Re: Best First California Climb

PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:52 am
by ElGreco
Dman, Cathedral rarely keeps snow on it due to its moderate elevation and SE aspect. If snow has come down, it could be more of a factor on Russel's E Ridge, but it really depends on the year. Last winter we got a big storm in October, and then virtually nothing till Feb.

Keep them in mind, and check conditions near the time!