I am a granite climbing snob

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RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 15, 2014 - 10:36am PT

East, West, Red, Blue, Sport, "Trad, Christian, skeptic, whatever.


I mean, there's got to be some sort of common denominator on this site?






















Post up if you know what I mean.
this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 15, 2014 - 10:45am PT
Granite is the jizz of the Gods.
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2014 - 10:49am PT
F*#k off Justin!!!!!!!


It's not a religious thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111



I knew this would happen..........
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
Jul 15, 2014 - 10:49am PT
No doubt about it, granite is the worst climbing medium.
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2014 - 10:58am PT

My friends are like: "come to kalymnos with us!! We'll rent a house and live like kings and climb like Sharma!"


Then I think about granite. And sleeping in the dirt.
Not sure why but it sounds much more interesting to me?



My nose slowly turns upward in their direction.



















looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:18am PT
Yummy knobby granite.

yanqui

climber
Balcarce, Argentina
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:22am PT
Good for slab climbs

drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:27am PT
Pardon me,
would you have any Grey Poupon?
Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:44am PT
When it's good, it's very very good.
And when it's bad, it's choss


jgill

Boulder climber
Colorado
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:52am PT
I beg your pardon, but Dakota sandstone and quartzite are somewhat superior.
Marlow

Sport climber
OSLO
Jul 15, 2014 - 12:15pm PT

Granite may be the jizz of the Gods, but ain't snob and granite climbing a contradiction among terms?

Edit: Some of the best climbing in Norway is on granite - in the western part of the country.
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2014 - 12:53pm PT
It's true my affliction of being confined to only the most upper echelon of stone on earth should purely be a geographical constraint.



But.








I'm cool with that.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:15pm PT
And when it's bad, it's choss

What, you don't like Jenga?
Magic Ed

Trad climber
Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:19pm PT
In all the years I've been in the Potrero Chico I've met hundreds of climbers but only a small handful who didn't like my limestone paradise and they were all California granite snobs.


Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:23pm PT
Limestone is confusing, I prefer granite.

Sadly, the closest crag for me is all schiesty.

Isn't quartzite closely related to granite?
Magic Ed

Trad climber
Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:24pm PT
No, quartzite is a sandstone.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:25pm PT
My bad, I was thinking of something else I guess. Brain fart.
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2014 - 01:34pm PT
Nobody ever said anything about not liking other types of rock Magic Ed. I've climbed on lots of different rock, & I like all of them. But, am especially attracted to one special family of stone, generally of granitic origin.


I have visited Potrero & even bought a slightly confusing guidebook from you at your house in about 04.

It's fun there & we had a blast. Yourself and the rest of the locals were great. So I am knott trying to knock anybody's rocks. If your sh#t is better in your eyes then post it up.


That said, it's not granite.

















TrundleBum

Trad climber
Las Vegas
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:40pm PT
Destined to be a great (climbing, thank God) thread !

I never realized what a granite snob I had been.
After a very long (18+ years of Hawaiian residency) sabbatical,
I returned to the mainland and after a bit moved to Vegas.
Pretty much year round climbing...
but on sandstone and limestone if you are to beat the cold of winter and heat of summer.

Not till I started spending the majority of my climb time on sandstone...
did I realize how foreign it felt at first and hence the realization that previously...
I had been a proud snob :)
yanqui

climber
Balcarce, Argentina
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:36pm PT
Well, Gill is right, sort of.

Sandstone/quartzite is better for this:


and this:


and that:


and even this


But granite is great for trad climbs



and you can climb cool formations like this:


which looks like this:


and that:


when you're up there climbing







this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 15, 2014 - 04:05pm PT
Yes more Yanqui. Granite grows steep too.
HighDesertDJ

Trad climber
Jul 15, 2014 - 04:08pm PT
Loving this thread. Granite is indeed the best.

Where is this?

Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:05pm PT
Looks like where that is is on the Malemute.

"Coast Range Batholith", barf. That's the Coast Plutonic Complex, the largest piece of granite in the whole world.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:27pm PT
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:36pm PT
chalk
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:38pm PT
Nice guys!!

I love this stuff!!
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2014 - 06:39pm PT
You must be some sort of n00b DMT. Everyone's been using blue chalk when bouldering for at least 5-6 years, you just buy blue chalk line powder from ace hardware. Way cheaper, plus it's cool to have smurf hands.



At least you are a granite snob though.



Edit- hey thanks everyone for posting up, lots of good stuff that I mostly don't have to turn my nose up at.

Yanqui always has killer stuff. Check out his shots on http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2182677&msg=2182677#msg2182677
this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:42pm PT
Heisenberg chalk DMT.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:50pm PT
It's crushed up viagra from Tijuana.









MH2

climber
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:51pm PT
Other kinds of rock have climbs with great personalities, but it's hard to beat granite for drop dead gorgeous.


jgill

Boulder climber
Colorado
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:52pm PT


OK, I'll admit, granite can be fun when you're off the ground. Free soloing about fifteen years ago here in southern Colorado.
this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 15, 2014 - 06:57pm PT
Jefe that patina pic reminds me of this

Or

tuolumne_tradster

Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
Jul 15, 2014 - 07:34pm PT




RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 16, 2014 - 01:24am PT






...







































































Mark Force

Trad climber
Cave Creek, AZ
Jul 16, 2014 - 06:08am PT
MH2, where is that beautiful piece of stone?
Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Jul 16, 2014 - 09:41am PT







King of stones
If you cut me open, you'd find a bumper sticker with "I HEART GRANITE" pasted to my soul.
Braunini

Big Wall climber
cupertino
Jul 16, 2014 - 10:12am PT
I keep reading the thread title "I am a granite climbing noob"
Michelle

Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
Jul 16, 2014 - 11:48am PT
Haahahaa! Heisenburg chalk
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 16, 2014 - 12:52pm PT
You are projecting braunini, just stick with it.


Working towards mastery of all shapes and sizes of granite climbing is a worthy objective IMO.








Mark F I think MH2's shot is from up on the prow wall of the Chief. Some really sick shots here.


























Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Jul 16, 2014 - 03:06pm PT
Isn't the blue chalk the Cerenkov stuff rather than Heisenburg?
Friend

climber
Jul 16, 2014 - 03:24pm PT
Prime season for classic granite bouldering up at Black Mountain

Cracker Boy

Tour de France


guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Jul 16, 2014 - 04:15pm PT

Some granite climbing is ridiculously low angle


Some steep.


and it cracks well


Great thread
The Larry

climber
Moab, UT
Jul 16, 2014 - 04:31pm PT
fgw

climber
portland, or
Jul 16, 2014 - 04:38pm PT
Oplopanax, is that Snootli (sp?) Express in your 2nd from bottom photo?
fgw

climber
portland, or
Jul 16, 2014 - 04:42pm PT
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Jul 16, 2014 - 05:02pm PT
Well, glad to hear that I am not the only one. I passed up a lot of climbing because it wasn't granite. And I've never had a problem with being a granite snob.
MH2

climber
Jul 16, 2014 - 05:07pm PT
That's what I like, fgw.

Mark Force, that is one of several wide cracks on a crag near the Sea to Sky Gondola Summit Plaza.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 16, 2014 - 06:59pm PT




klk

Trad climber
cali
Jul 16, 2014 - 07:15pm PT
I beg your pardon, but Dakota sandstone and quartzite are somewhat superior.

definitely true for bouldering.

all apologies to squish.
Dingus McGee

Social climber
Laramie
Jul 16, 2014 - 07:26pm PT
"Coast Range Batholith", barf. That's the Coast Plutonic Complex, the largest piece of granite in the whole world.

Doubt that, after driving in Canada and seeing the Canadian Shields Map the area of the Coastal Range Batholith seems a lot smaller.
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 16, 2014 - 08:53pm PT
Maybe so Dingus, but the Canadian Shield doesn't seem to stick out of the ground enough that a climber could care about it as much as a hay field in Kansas.

Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 16, 2014 - 09:48pm PT
Aiguille St Exupery

Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Jul 16, 2014 - 10:03pm PT
Did someone say "granite?"

tuolumne_tradster

Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
Jul 16, 2014 - 10:25pm PT

drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 16, 2014 - 10:31pm PT
I'm sorry
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
extraordinaire
Jul 16, 2014 - 11:31pm PT
Yet unclimbed corner on a famous dome a short distance from major road in a national park --
sac

Trad climber
Sun Coast B.C.
Jul 16, 2014 - 11:43pm PT
awesome!!
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Jul 17, 2014 - 12:32am PT
norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
Jul 17, 2014 - 05:16am PT
Finally I can say it too and know that there are others out there who understand.
I only want to climb on granite. Good granite.
Limestone? Are you kidding me!
Wingate sandstone can be good training for granite cracks.
Basalt? Well at least it's related to granite. It's not that bad really. Quartsite? Lets keep driving till we get to some granite.
How can anyone not think granite is superior?
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 17, 2014 - 07:38am PT
How can anyone not think granite is superior?

When they've tried to climb in the San Gabriel Mts. Technically they are granite, but...
ydpl8s

Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
Jul 17, 2014 - 08:21am PT
Sierra Ledge Rat, what I want to know is how did that granite get out there on the British Virgin Isles? I've got to go look at some geology maps.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 17, 2014 - 08:28am PT
Granite is superior for alpine and alpine rock climbing but it is not superior for cragging. Most of the major alpine areas....Patagonia, Alaska, the Karakorum, the Mont Blanc region are granitic. In the US the major alpine rock areas the Sierra's, Wind Rivers, Sawtooths, Black Canyon (gneiss) and the Diamond are granitic .
When it comes to cragging worldwide limestone reigns supreme with major contributions from granite, sandstone and basalt.
If you climb only in Cali you best be a granite snob because that's what you have bro.
ydpl8s

Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
Jul 17, 2014 - 08:32am PT
Ahhhh, the Ho Bich Schisty Islands, must have been the result of a particularly deep thrust!
fgw

climber
portland, or
Jul 17, 2014 - 08:45am PT
couple more colorful granites



Oplopanax

Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
Jul 17, 2014 - 10:22am PT
The Canadian Shield is largely gneiss and other old, heavily metamorphosed rocks - billions of years old - rather than sweet, fresh off the magma chamber Cretaceous granite like the Coast Plutonic Complex.
this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 17, 2014 - 10:31am PT
rather than sweet, fresh off the magma chamber Cretaceous granite like the Coast Plutonic Complex.
Yes, keep talking dirty, I'm almost there.
Lollie

Social climber
I'm Lolli.
Jul 17, 2014 - 10:46am PT
It's all granite. I'm thrilled to find something else.



apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Jul 17, 2014 - 01:10pm PT
Mission Gorge is some kind of weird metamorphic schwag, ain't it?
WyoRockMan

climber
Flank of the Big Horns
Jul 17, 2014 - 01:18pm PT
Glorious sexy granite....RAWR!

JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jul 17, 2014 - 01:37pm PT
I mean, there's got to be some sort of common denominator on this site?

I thought this thread was it when I thought it was titled "I am a granite climbing slob."

Oh well, I admit that most of my favorite climbs are granitic, even though most of my first couple of years of roped climbing were on metamorphic rock at Pinnacles, Little Table Mountain, and similar places.

John
TheSoloClimber

Trad climber
Vancouver
Jul 19, 2014 - 11:23pm PT
Wanna get on Fight Club Ryan? Or Wild Turkey? Or Turkey Shoot? Any of the wide flaring things up there. I need to get burled.
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2014 - 12:44am PT

Speaking of granite snobs. Hello Nathan, yes I would like to do those climbs.

Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Jul 20, 2014 - 06:34am PT
YO!! If you guys go for wild turkey, gimme a call!! Grug wants to see some shots on that one and i would enjoy shooting it very much!!!
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jul 20, 2014 - 07:30am PT
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 20, 2014 - 07:37am PT
Granite is great but thank god limestone, sandstone, basalt et al are out there giving climbing almost infinite variety. I had a great time on limestone yesterday and will be out there again today!
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jul 20, 2014 - 07:41am PT
Paradise!
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jul 20, 2014 - 07:44am PT
Limestone, sandstone and basalt all deserve their own "snob" thread.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 20, 2014 - 07:49am PT
Geological rock distinctions are fine...but I am a "climable rock" snob.
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jul 20, 2014 - 08:02am PT
Geological rock distinctions are fine...but I am a "climable rock" snob.

Ahhh...climbable rock...the best there is!
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2014 - 09:11am PT
Good morning Donini.

Shouldn't you be in church?

I hear you are in Squamish in September? Hoping to meet up and turn you into a granite snob, don't worry though- I know where there is some limestone not far off in case the granite gets boring ;-)








TheSoloClimber

Trad climber
Vancouver
Jul 20, 2014 - 10:18am PT
Well I'm free the rest of this week after Tuesday (and I kinda want to get on something wide tomorrow) so if the weather works out and you want to get out, let me know.
Mike, if you want to get some up close shots on Wild Turkey, I got enough static line to reach from the top of the Bulletheads down to the campground ;)
TheSoloClimber

Trad climber
Vancouver
Jul 20, 2014 - 10:28am PT

In the interest of chest beating, and cause Ryan put a picture up of it, I got my name in a guidebook (update)

Here's a shot from the apex point on the FA

RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2014 - 10:31am PT
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Jul 20, 2014 - 10:45am PT
What's the ghost icon mean? Scary problem?
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2014 - 10:51am PT
Haha everyone is famous







!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



.
Jingy

climber
Somewhere out there
Jul 20, 2014 - 10:55am PT
I can agree with the photos I see in this thread....

You all have every right to be snobs about your granite and thumb your noses at the Basalt and Limestone tarts/lessers out there.
Eric Beck

Sport climber
Bishop, California
Jul 20, 2014 - 11:51am PT
Chuck Pratt once described a rope as "sort of virginal". When asked to elaborate, he said "It hasn't been used on granite yet".
hooblie

climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
Jul 20, 2014 - 06:00pm PT
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 20, 2014 - 06:56pm PT

one of the wildest 5.7 pitches anywhere
Granite Mtn
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Jul 20, 2014 - 08:38pm PT
Sounds rad Nate!! After work styz?

So cool Ryan... Thanks!
Saugy

Mountain climber
BC
Jul 20, 2014 - 10:04pm PT

Yeahhh.....Granite!
Mark Force

Trad climber
Cave Creek, AZ
Jul 20, 2014 - 10:13pm PT
Nice one of Candyland, drljefe!

Best single crag I've ever climbed at (includes Britain, Tahquitz, Suicide, and the Valley).



ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
extraordinaire
Jul 20, 2014 - 11:27pm PT
The subtlety of granite is it's best attribute.
You gotta transcend, and try unlock the rock's secrets.
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jul 21, 2014 - 05:20am PT
Hey Mark Force and Hooblie, where were your pics taken? Looks beautiful!
Mark Force

Trad climber
Cave Creek, AZ
Jul 21, 2014 - 06:46am PT
Granite Mountain, Prescott, Arizona. Highly recommended. Has everything. Be aware the older routes have old school ratings.

Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Jul 21, 2014 - 09:15am PT
Is the sixth photo in the OP the Choir Loft at Church Dome?
RyanD

climber
Squamish
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 21, 2014 - 10:56am PT
Ksolem it's a route called "burning down the couch" at petrifying wall near Squamish.
MH2

climber
Jul 21, 2014 - 11:07am PT
Admiration for the Squamish guidebook celebrities.

Granite Mountain is a heart-palpitating temple of granite.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 21, 2014 - 11:15am PT
Have you been there MH2?
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 21, 2014 - 11:55am PT
The Rowell route on Four Gables...

MH2

climber
Jul 21, 2014 - 12:20pm PT
I tried to get to Granite Mountain in 2009 but at Paradise Forks my partner took ill. Still keen to get to much of Arizona, especially Cochise.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 21, 2014 - 01:57pm PT
MH2- keep us high on your list, AZ delivers.

And what Mark Force said is pretty right on.
As a single crag, Granite Mtn holds its own.

Rare that essentially every route is recommended or considered classic.

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/granite-mountain/105787785

This guy took his game to Yosemite and would still vouch for the Mtn.
Mark Force

Trad climber
Cave Creek, AZ
Jul 21, 2014 - 02:10pm PT
Thanks, Reilly! I added it to my list!
this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 21, 2014 - 06:09pm PT
Ya know that kinda looks like, like omg it totally looks like a....... badasss crack to, arete, to maybe like a roof. I'm so sure, like what did you think I was going to say. I'm so sure, whatever!
Michelle

Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
Jul 21, 2014 - 06:32pm PT
Granite porn
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Jul 21, 2014 - 07:17pm PT
Granite porn? This should get you off...

Michelle

Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
Jul 21, 2014 - 07:35pm PT
Yep! Looking at granite pics in public always draws funny looks
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jul 21, 2014 - 09:00pm PT
this just in

climber
north fork
Jul 21, 2014 - 11:05pm PT
Come down with Big Mike in September Ryan. I have some practice FAs with your name on it. You don't even need a brush.
Tricouni

Mountain climber
Vancouver
Jul 21, 2014 - 11:32pm PT
Coast Mtns granite. Bonus points for the name of the climber and the pinnacle.
coolrockclimberguy69

climber
Jul 22, 2014 - 12:16am PT
Porphyritic diorite

HighDesertDJ

Trad climber
Jul 22, 2014 - 04:16am PT
About to head out snobbing. Will try to post pics later.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Jul 22, 2014 - 04:57am PT
7sacredpools,

Here's the same boulder, taken 30 years ago
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