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verticalbound
Trad climber
Anchorage
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 3, 2013 - 01:14am PT
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Soooooo got to the point where I cant mentally subject myself to my most current job ( in a long line of jobs; car salesman, Military police, rei guide,verizon customer service) or the city life anymore & my girlfriend & I are going to outfit a van this week and leave next week for several months of climbing in the southwest until our next jobs start in may in the valley. What Im interested in here is J.Tree tips for this time of year, or just in general. We are pretty self sufficient on simple living, spent 4 months on the pct last year, not a lot of trad experience in our team, I was forced into a lot of soloing in my first two years of climbing and she has done mostly sport. So... lets hear these entertaining and insightful responses? oh yeah leaving the 11th or 13th.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Bring a beenie
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verticalbound
Trad climber
Anchorage
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 3, 2013 - 01:34am PT
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Probably wont hit J.tree for 3 more weeks, but the park gets lots of sun right? and current temps look pretty mild by my standards, so no worries there.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Did you meet my friend "The Donald" on the PCT? Fellow from Courtenay, on Vancouver Island?
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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25 - 30 years ago JT was THE place to winter. As far as I'm concered it still is. With maybe two or three trips to El Paso thrown in.
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Here's a little tip, or maybe just a consideration.
Some campsites get first, or early, light. Mornings are cold.
Maybe you prefer to sleep in...
Choose accordingly.
Actually, you may not have a choice.
Camping is crowded, hustlin' skills are helpful.
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tinker b
climber
the commonwealth
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theres a decent farmers' market on saturday's. showers at coyote corner.
even on the windiest days there is someplace out of the wind you just have to look.
you can walk from your campsite inhiddenvalley to most of the climbing.
the end of january slows down. you shouldn't have a problem getting a site, but the best ones are likely taken. enjoy the desert.
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Gary
Social climber
Right outside of Delacroix
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Sheep Pass and Jumbo Rocks are miserable camps. Lows will be in the 20s, sometimes 10s. Highs in the low 50s. It could snow.
Indian Cove is generally warmer than the park. If it is really cold, head to Corral Wall.
Learn how to follow the sun around the formations. Bring some good topo maps.
On weekends Hidden Valley CG will put you within walking distance of lines waiting to get on a climb. Boy Scout trailhead will take you to uncrowded climbing.
Do some hikes, it is a beautiful place. Hike on the weekends, climb on the weekdays.
The best day to hit the classics is Super Bowl Sunday. The park will be empty as every one else will be getting drunk watching TV.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Be prepared for wind. Chill. Factor.
Seriously, JT can be really windy and cold.
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Bad Climber
climber
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What everyone else said, but remember it's now a National Park, so camping is limited to 14 days. Can climbers cycle in and out to rack up more time, or is the Ranger Gestapo too extreme?
BAd
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Where the Hoback and the mighty Snake River meet
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Sometimes the Alabama Hills and The Owens River Gorge are warmer then Joshua Tree,the ORG gets good sun in parts and is *usually* not very windy.
Mostly Sport, but there are some good trad lines down there.
I hiked part of the JMT this summer, from Mammoth to Whitney. Mostly in July. Maybe we passed?
I did not meet Mighty Hikers friend, but heard of him, and passed a guy trying to catch up with him. Can't recall HIS name, but it was funny, we thought we knew each other from a distance.
You're gunna have a blast!
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Tony Bird
climber
Northridge, CA
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stay away from josh until march 1. go skiing this time of year. no money? ski backcountry, absolutely free.
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verticalbound
Trad climber
Anchorage
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 3, 2013 - 11:06am PT
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Appreciate some of the info so far, how about places to get water? camping outside the park? and whats the best guide book or two to pick up?
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darkmagus
Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
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25 - 30 years ago JT was THE place to winter. As far as I'm concered it still is. With maybe two or three trips to El Paso thrown in.
Relatively new to SoCal, I just had my first realization that TX trips are in my future. Really psyched for that. But for now there's plenty to keep busy while in-state!
My tips:
1) You gotta bring all your own water, so load up!
2) Zero degree bags are almost not sufficient at times, go mega overkill and use a -40 degree bag, that way you can do the low maintenance no-tent bivy if needed.
3) It might snow! So be ready for that.
4) Camping: "the pit"
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Vertical.... go check out the Kern Canyon, north of Kernville.
Lots of climbing and free camping to boot and generally much warmer than JT ...NO LEOS around, have a blast.
Please post some pics and TR's .... for those of US stuck in the cubes.
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FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
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Camp anywhere except the pit.
Listen to Guyman.
I've been in JT many times in Jan. when it was 70 at 9:00 in the morning.
The weather many change from week to week.
Same with the east side of the Sierras. The Alabama hills - Bishop - the whole east side can be amazing in winter.
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John M
climber
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http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Water is available at the Oasis Visitor Center, Indian Cove Ranger Station, West Entrance, and Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds.
You can also get showers and water at Coyote Corner, which is a store on the corner of Highway 62 and Park Blvd. 62 is also called Palm desert highway and is the main thorough fair through town. Park Blvd goes to the West entrance.
The showers are pay showers and take quarters. There is a hose bib outback for water. Buy something from the good people. Its great to have showers there.
We would usually load up on water and food for a week and just go to town once a week. One night a week there use to be all you can eat night at one the Tai restaurants in town, but I don't know if the place is still there, or what the beta is, but we would go and pig out. Of course, with all things cheap, sometimes you pay the next day..
Lastly.. Always Always Always lock your gear away out of sight. Never leave it unattended, not even for two seconds while you go inside somewhere to buy a coke. Its meth head central and they have figured out how to spot a climber and rip him off. Especially be vigilant at Coyote Corner. The people in the shop are great people, but the thieves live nearby and watch the place. I can't state this enough. Make certain everyone in your group understands. None of this.. Oh.. he will watch it while I go inside, without being clear and making certain.
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tinker b
climber
the commonwealth
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look at where the guy is from who says you need a -40 bag. i have gotten away with a 30 degree bag for years, sans tent, but in my old age have started to opt for the 0 degree bag just fine. january february can be hit or miss with weather, but stay long enough and you will get some beautiful days.
there are water spigits at nomad ventures and coyote corner. you can usually grab extra water jugs out of the recycling bins if you don't have the capacity you need.
have fun.
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FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
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^^^^ Great advice Lock your car.
The Thai restaurant is still there. Buffet Fri. & Sat. Nights, very good.
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Gary
Social climber
Right outside of Delacroix
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What John M said. Scrape the climbing stickers off your truck if you have any. Aluminum is highly recyclable and a tweaker's wet dream.
guyman also gives good advice, though it can get cold and snowy around Kernville, too.
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