What ever became of Christmas Tree Pass?

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Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 25, 2008 - 01:32pm PT
What has become of this area? The Syndicato Granitica folks did some early development and I haven't heard much since this article.

From Climbing 54 May-June 1979.






Captain...or Skully

Trad climber
North of the Owyhees
Dec 25, 2008 - 01:37pm PT
Folks go there, time to time, just gets kinda forgotten, with all the high profile areas getting all the press.
I kinda like it that way, myself.(selfish?, perhaps).
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Dec 25, 2008 - 01:37pm PT
Perhaps it has passed, or is past. Check with Scrooge to be sure.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 25, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
Tis the ghost of Christmas Tree Pass present! LOL
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Dec 25, 2008 - 01:47pm PT
Went there.
Turns out the "Christmas Tree" is a creosote bush some local hung a few ornaments on.
Some nice looking rocks but nothing big, and much is in the "Recreation Area" and is ruled by the NPS which can be twitchy about climbers depending on what ranger finds you, and what he had for breakfast.
TYeary

Mountain climber
Calif.
Dec 25, 2008 - 01:47pm PT
Very nice venue. Reminds me of Josh in the early '70's.
Lonely, beautiful, and lots of possibilities. See's little traffic and little exploration. I like it that way.
Tony
Loomis

climber
*_*
Dec 25, 2008 - 04:41pm PT
The same thing that became of Domelands, another of Andy's articles.
Last time I say Andy was in San francisco, years ago.

Edit: Actually Steve, Mike Baca has a really cool guide book he made of the area some years ago, did it all on black and white photo paper.
If you are interested, I will contact him and see if a copy can be sent your direction.
Scott.
east side underground

Trad climber
crowley ca
Dec 25, 2008 - 05:10pm PT
Merry christmas steve- Murry
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 25, 2008 - 05:12pm PT
That would be fabulous! The historical connection to AZ alone makes it interesting. I haven't had a chance to actually check the place out beyond driving by during some nasty weather.

Czech out that thread.
bvb

Social climber
flagstaff arizona
Dec 26, 2008 - 01:18am PT
hey steve, i got nothing planned january 1 - 4. get yer ass down here and let's go check it out. i been wondering about that place for over 30 years. looks to be about three hours from flag.
Alan Rubin

climber
Amherst,MA.
Dec 26, 2008 - 09:43am PT
Stopped there for a day or 2 with Andy Embick and Chip Chace about the time that article appeared. I remember that the rock was quite grainy---a bit more so than Josh---but maybe that was only because the routes we did had seen so little climbing activity. I remember that we did a beautiful finger/tips crack(maybe the unclimbed Seperate Reality, mentioned in the article) but I recall that a point or 2 of aid was used. A pleasant enough locale but once we became aware of Red Rocks a few years later the latter became the Nevada area of choice for us. That same trip---to maintain the "obscure areas" theme--we also climbed at some similar granite outcrops (Little Granite Mountains, maybe?)on the far side of the Marine Corps Base from Josh. Another place where one is very likely to climb in solitude---except for the explosions occasionally reverberating from the nearby Base.
F10

Trad climber
e350
Dec 26, 2008 - 10:12am PT
Been there twice and had the place to myself, lots to explore
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 27, 2008 - 10:02pm PT
First week of January?!? Grainy face climbing?!?....I'll bring the thumb screws$$$$$$$$
Minerals

Social climber
The Deli
Dec 27, 2008 - 11:42pm PT
The place looks like it was over-used a while back and now there are tons of cool little spots that have been blocked off by land managers. Too close to Vegas?


The Searchlight pluton, for the geologically inclined:

http://bulletin.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/113/9/1213

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008AGUFM.V21C2116P

http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005AM/finalprogram/abstract_96552.htm


You can see the obvious shape of the pluton on Google Earth and the color difference between the granitic rock and the surrounding host rock. Check it out.
TLloyd-Davies

Social climber
Santa Clara, ca
Dec 30, 2008 - 04:53pm PT
Awesome thanks for this find!

My dad always talked about climbing with Andy and especially about Christmas Tree Pass, but up until now i hadn't been able to find any info about it.
andy@climbingmoab

Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
Dec 30, 2008 - 05:01pm PT
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/nevada/christmas_tree_pass/105797826
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Dec 30, 2008 - 06:06pm PT
Steve, could you post the photos from the Summit October 1976 article? Those are the ones I remember.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 30, 2008 - 08:03pm PT
Nice that the author includes a list of prior articles. I will see if I can find the 76 article.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2009 - 11:35am PT
Working backwards chronologically, two down, one to go! From Climbing May-June 1977.



Gary

climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Feb 11, 2009 - 11:16pm PT
XTP is still happening, somewhat. If Piton Ron says there is nothing big there, he must've gone to the wrong spot.


Slowly, some of the old routes put up by Solow and Richardson, Robson and Hancock are being rebolted with 3/8s.

As Scott said, Mike Baca has a nice guide. John Gonzales just finished up a newer one.

There's some crappy rock, and some good rock. Dali Dome and H&R Block are nice crags, if they were in Josh they'd be famous.

Dali Dome:

H&R Block

There are some new routes going up from time to time:

If you like run out slab on 30 year old 1/4"ers, you'll love it. Laughlin has some great deal on rooms and buffets, too.
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