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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 1, 2007 - 05:09pm PT
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My first visit to Joshua Tree trip report, 3/22-3/27/07
Wendy and I arrived at Hidden Valley Campground around noon on the 22nd. We grabbed the first campsite we saw which was on the auxiliary road to the east. This turned out to suit us well. The sites here are farther apart than in the main loop. There are also long vistas. We hadn’t been car camping since going with the kids years ago. Mostly we’ve been backpacking. It’s great how much stuff you can bring in a car. We set up the pavilion, the big tent with the sun shade on the front. That afternoon we hiked around the Hidden Valley nature loop, which is just a few minutes away. We started getting a feel for the wild rock formations and I scouted some climbs. Later we made a fire and cooked steaks over the coals. It started raining so we ate dinner under the sun shade. After the rain stopped we took another stroll around the campground. There is one Desert Cottontail every 200 feet in the area around the CG. The next day we did the seven mile North View/Maze/Window Rock hike. It’s a great hike with views in all directions. Here is a picture early in the hike.
Here’s a North View.
Here’s Window Rock with the Thunderbird Window.
Here is a typical Joshua Tree vista from late in the hike.
As we approached the car we saw a coyote trotting across the road near the parking area. We watched for a while until he disappeared up a nearby wash. We experienced coyotes everyday we were there. Late the next night I heard the woman in the next campsite being murdered. I was getting out my bag when she was murdered again, and then again. I have heard a lot of coyotes over the years and know they make many strange sounds but this time was pretty wild. The last few days of the trip a pair would start calling to each other between first light and sun rise. We would jump up on boulders near our site to look for them, finally to see them meet and trot off together.
Dawn from our campsite was beautiful everyday.
Saturday morning out friends Dawn and Bob joined us, driving over from LA. Wendy and Dawn went off to 49 Palms to take a hike. Evidently it’s beautiful over there. A place to visit again.
Bob and I hiked over to climb Loose Lady (10a) which was the first climb on his tic list. Evidently it’s on a lot of tic lists because there were about ten people surrounding the climb. We climbed up to the top of the boulders where the rope up is. We sat down next to Jim Bridwell who was there with some other Mad Rock climbers. While everyone concentrated on Loose Lady we moved over 40 feet and Bob lead Ladyfingers (10b)***. It is a six bolt thing with a cool series of steep high steps on thin but positive holds. Here is a picture from half way up the climb.
Jim had come over to watch Bob lead the climb. As I was following high up, grunting through a move, he called up, "Is that the hard part"? I answered, "No, it was harder just below. I just make everything look hard". He replied, "Everything is hard". Encouraging words from the master.
The usual descent is to rap off the Loose Lady anchor but we had been told there was a walk off as well. Unfortunately, we had neglected to ask which way, right or left. With a 50/50 chance we picked to go right. Wrong! We ended up doing exposed unroped chimneys through huge boulders. We would find this to be typical for us. Back at the base only Jim and the two Mad Rock climbers Brian and Mandy (hope I remembered their names right) were left. Brian had finished and was putting Mandy on toprope. We decided to wait until Mandy did the climb. They are really nice folks. Here she is.
Afterwards, I lead first. The climbing was way cool, thin holds and friction. I cleaned the gear as I was lowered so Bob could lead it too. After he climbed it, I belayed him as he top roped Puss n’ Boots (11b/c)**. This climb is on the right side of the photo above.
Then I lead Dummy’s Delight (9)***.
This is a curving crack right of Puss n’ Boots. Another great climb! It just continually keeps getting a little harder until the last moves to the anchor.
After lunch, Wendy and Dawn weren’t back yet so we went over to the Echo Rock area and Bob lead Touch And Go (9).
A tricky little piece of balancing with nothing quite as secure as you think it was going to be. Then I lead the face to the left, Cornerstone (10a).
The cruxes are friction palming and smearing. The gals had found us by now and we all returned to make a big fire and chow down on spaghetti and red wine.
We decided to combine hiking and climbing on Sunday by hiking over to climb Firewater Chimney (10b). This is a 12 to 13 mile round trip. The hiking is very straight forward at first. You take the North wonderland Trail to Willow Hole. Just before Willow Hole we passed this rock with an obvious OW running to the top.
The guide book has no ascent info so I guess Ed, Gary, Steve and the WOWCA gang are gonna hafta plan a trip to swarm it.
After Willow Hole the trail quickly turns to a boulder hopping festival. We thought we had chosen the wrong route but on the way back the “right way” was no easier. Here are a couple of typical pictures on the way in.
When we got to the climb we found offerings of Firewater hidden in the rocks. Here’s Wendy holding the two cans of Old English.
We left these offerings to the climbing gods buried where we found them.
Firewater Chimney is a chimney behind a huge exfoliated flake. Six bolts over ninety feet. I offered to flip for the lead but Bob kindly said since I planned it I got to lead it. Here’s a few photos of the climb.
Resting after the crucial second clip.
The third clip.
Up in the maw.
Bob in contemplation.
A great picture of Bob.
Rappelling the outside of the flake.
Bob top roping The Last Stand (12a) on the outside of the flake.
Here’s me describing the lead.
These nearby Nolinas seem unmoved by my account of the climb.
The hike back was equally rocky. At one point, seemingly trapped in a field of gigantic boulders Bob found a way to tunnel through.
We stumbled to the car and made a dash for Coyote Corner for a shower. We chatted with the others waiting in line. Some of the guys were from the campsite next to us. They were all taking a class to help get their rock guiding credentials. I was envious. Everyday they would go off to mock guide each other, or to do high angle rescue, or some equally fun challenge. One of the guys, Ian, sometimes joined us around the evening fire to fill us in on the cool stuff they’d done that day. Fun stuff.
Monday I was pretty beat. We did manage a couple of more awesome climbs though. Rumors of overcrowding proved unfounded.
Bob leading Illusion Dweller (10a/b)*.
Five stars! Who needs to know more. I fell at the roof but I popped a couple of gorilla pills and a can of spinach and powered my way through on the rematch. We set up the 95’ rappel only to find Bob’s 200’ rope has shrunk over the years and the knot was at least 10 feet off the ground. We walked off. Our last climb was Western Saga (9)**. Need I say it, another fun climb up some strange delicate moves to a ledge and then through a roof. Here’s a photo.
Sadly, Dawn and Bob had to leave. Wendy and I spent a quiet last evening around the campfire enjoying the views.
As we were cleaning up the next morning the owner of the property came by to see we did a good job.
A great trip.
See you on the rock.
Zander
(I've done a bit of editing since the first post)
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
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great shots - makes me homesick!
I had never heard of that Chimney thing.
thanks for posting!
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
St. Looney
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Very fun TR! Thanks for posting. Makes me want to get out there as soon as possible again. So many good places out there...
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Rocky5000
Trad climber
Falls Church, VA
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Excellent post - I've been on several trips over the years and led a number of those you mentioned, but I want to go back now and do it all again! A place of inexhaustible beauty.
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GoBotRocker
Trad climber
Springfield, Mass
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Awesome pic's. It's a magical place and when I hit the lottery theres no good reason to not spend a month there each year. Sounds like you had a blast.
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John Moosie
climber
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" Late the next night I heard the woman in the next campsite being murdered. I was getting out my bag when she was murdered again, and then again. "
Joshua Tree really is a very dangerous place. A couple of women were murdered when I was there too and the rangers just ignored it. Can you imagine.... It seems it happens so often that everyone has gotten use to it. Oh well, Since it is so beautiful and fun there I decided to ignore it too.
Great trip report. Thank you....Awesome pictures.
Moosie
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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another great TR Zander, lives up to the after OW stories from yesterday in the Valley!
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Phil_B
Social climber
Hercules, CA
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Way cool Zander.
How are your tips? I found the rock very sharp.
Looks like lots of fun.
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J. Werlin
climber
Cedaredge
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Excellent TR!!! Did a great job capturing the magic of JT.
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spyork
Social climber
Land of Green Stretchy People
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Nice TR Zander!
Made me wish I was there.
Steve
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westhegimp
Social climber
granada hills
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Thank you for the TR and awesome pics!
I got to get out there!
Wes
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L
climber
The Rebel L Gang
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Wow Zander! One of the best TRs posted here IMO. The photos were great--especially Illusion Dweller and the bunny, but you really got the flavor of Josh in your writing.
When you get a screamer like that, especially in the wee hours of the morning, it sort of takes all the fun out of the murder thing, doesn't it? Oh well, better something safe like murder as opposed to drugs or unprotected sex, right?
Thank you for a wuuuuuuuuuunderful TR!
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Cool stuff
guess I gotta go do that chimbly
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Gary Carpenter
climber
SF Bay Area
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Great TR Zander. I hear that OW calling me.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 1, 2007 - 11:23pm PT
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Ed, Jaybro, Spyork and Gary,
We need to plan a trip to climb that 60 foot OW. That puppy has got our names on it.
Zander
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Ksolem
Trad climber
LA, Ca
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Great TR!
ps. That Western Saga is an under appreciated climb (imho.)
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handsome B
Gym climber
SL,UT
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Great T.R.!
That chimney is on my tick-list now.
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joane
climber
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Lots of nice photos! I think my favorite one is the one showing the rappelling off the flake, it really pulls together the context of the other shots and that flake is so nice! Also, the last one of the rabbit it completely adorable, thanks for a nice tr.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 2, 2007 - 07:58pm PT
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Ksolem,
I agree, Western Saga is a cool route. I don't think the roof is the crux which is fun -find the crux.
Zander
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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I believe the rather large pile of cheat stones on the ledge may give that away.
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Murf
climber
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Going to the Valley of Kings on your first visit to JT is proud! Nice going, nice TR.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Nice TR. It is good to see Firewater Chimney get some visits, a very classic route indeed.
Those cans of Old E were probably left by the FA who probably just forgot where they were hidden. Across the valley on the Lynch Crag is another one of their routes: Powered By Old English. [A 4 star route too.]
Nice job hiking in from the Willow Hole approach, pretty long that way. If you ever head back to the Valley of the Kings, try Rattlesnake Canyon, considerably shorter.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 3, 2007 - 12:55pm PT
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TGT,
I had another section in mind but I see you point. Hmm, might need to do further investigation.
Sketchy,
Those cans of "firewater" had been there a long time. Probably good idea to bring your own beverages. Fortunately, Bob brought the pale ale. The long hike was part of our plan. Of course we didn't quite realize how burly a hike it is!
Zander
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mack
Trad climber
vermont
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Thanks, really wonderful photos! I've never been out there. It really sets my mind a wandering. The desert is such a magical place
Mack
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Watusi
Social climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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It looks like you had a great time!!! Good on Ya!!!!!
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland: what's not to love?
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Good to hear somebody of Bridwell's stature telling it like it is: "it's all hard". Hell yeah it is.
Great TR, thanks for it. I predict you'll be back w/in a season, and that JT will begin encroaching ever more into your normal daydreaming schedule... you'll be haunted like the rest of us.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 4, 2007 - 11:11pm PT
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Le_Bruce,
If I get haunted any more than I am by climbing Wendy will hire an exorcist!
Zander
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Chris Oakes
climber
Hayward
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Zander as always you do the best posts. Thanks for the great pics. I'm planning a trip there next weekend and you have given me some ideas.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Nov 19, 2008 - 05:08pm PT
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This deserves a bump, I missed it first time around.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Nov 19, 2008 - 06:20pm PT
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I am jealous
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Nov 19, 2008 - 09:10pm PT
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Gezzz, I don't look at the Thread dates and then feel like an idiot when I finally notice. Lynne, HELLO>>>>>> It is an older but great TR !
Still, WTH with the woman murdered and someone else posting, "yeah the rangers ignored it like the LAST time."
Any info out there ? Is it scary to camp in the J Tree .... do I really need Guido ?
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 19, 2008 - 09:19pm PT
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Lynne,
Just a respectful attitude toward coyotes is all you'll need. That and a couple of Dessert Cottontails as well as a Raven or two to watch your camp while you are climbing.
Zander
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
Last >>
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Nov 19, 2008 - 09:58pm PT
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A 13 mile climbing circuit out there ? . . You are an a n i m a l ! Thanks for keeping the community stoked . (c :)
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Tony Bird
climber
Northridge, CA
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Mar 11, 2011 - 10:10am PT
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bump for firewater chimney, featured in randy's slide show the other night. a beautiful, impressive route with a bonus TR on the outer face.
can anyone give more details on the approach, or am i gonna havta buy another guidebook?
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nutjob
Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
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Mar 11, 2011 - 03:39pm PT
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Thanks for bumping, I missed this the first time and with the later bump....
Great tics and great pics Zander! Really looks fun and makes me want to go back to my roots of all-day hikes through the crazy boulder fields, rather than going for the easy-access climbs next to the campground.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Mar 11, 2011 - 04:51pm PT
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Josh West gives the beta for getting to the Valley of Kings and lists both approaches (the one Zander did and the recommended Rattlesnake Canyon approach).
From Indian Cove plan on 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your familiarity with the terrain.
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Byran
climber
Merced, CA
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Mar 11, 2011 - 06:45pm PT
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If you're camping in HVC it's probably not worth it to drive all the way out of the park and over to IC. Much of the time you'll save on hiking will be lost on driving. The Willow Hole approach is a worthy hike in itself and a great tour of the North Wonderland if you've never been out there. It's almost entirely flat, mostly on trails and washes, with a couple sections of scrambling right after Willow Hole, between Lemon and Lime Domes, and from the Helmet up to the base of the Arrowhead.
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| Messages 1 - 37 of total 37 in this topic |
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