Archive for the ‘Rock Climbing’ Category

Tuolumne Meadows-West Country

Wednesday, July 26th, 2006

On Wednesday, I left Ridgecrest at 9am for the annual Tuolumne Meadows camping trip. I have to give props to the Runkles for arranging the campsites. Making the phonecalls back in Feb. to reserve the sites, arranging logistics, and having a killer campfire every night at the group site!! They took the guesswork out of the camping trip, and it made everything so much more enjoyable.

OF COURSE, I stopped in Bishop for what seemed like eternity. Shopping for goods at Wilson’s Sporting Goods, Schat’s Bakkery, and Vons. Amazingly at 11am, midweek, Bishop was packed with people! (more…)

Magic Dragon: A Needles Trip Report

Monday, July 17th, 2006

Clare Hiking to Magic Dragon
Clare Hiking to Magic Dragon

Walter Hiking to Magic Dragon
Walter excited to climb

The Wizard Formation, End of Pitch 3 on Magic Dragon
Wizard Formation from Magic Dragon

I worked my day off last Friday in order to climb on Monday. I wanted to have a little Eastern Sierra adventure. The plan was to drive up to the Needles on Sunday night, in order to get an early start Monday morning.

Most Needles climbs start off with a refreshing hike. In the case of Magic Dragon, the hike is 2.5 miles and then an extra 30 minutes of light bushwacking from the main trail! (more…)

White Punks On Dope: A Needles Classic!

Friday, June 30th, 2006

Victors of White Punks on Dope
The Victors of White Punks on Dope (5.9)

On Thursday night, we left Inyokern around 8pm. The drive to the Needles wasn’t bad, we listened to music on my shuffle and Walter was wide awake giving me directions. We got to the pullout at 10pm and quickly got to sorting gear for the next day. With the packs all set for the next morning, I ate a snack, braided my hair, and got my outfit all set for the early morning wake-up at 4:40am.

I was super excited about the climb the next day, so I read a little to calm my nerves. (more…)

Premier Buttress Trip Report

Sunday, June 25th, 2006

Start of Premier Buttress Mt. Whitney from top of Premier Buttress
On Sunday, I picked Walter up at 6:15am. It was already hot (85!) in Ridgecrest by then, so I was happy to be going into the mountains. Walter drove us up to the last hairpin turn approaching Whitney Portals while I tried to catch up on some sleep. (more…)

Alabama Hills

Sunday, June 4th, 2006

Clare Suffering from Heat Induced Sillyness
At 5:30am TJ picked me up for a day of climbing up at Alabama Hills. We stopped by Inyokern to get Walter, and we were on our way. I slept on the drive up, it was too early for me to be a social butterfly. The guys talked shop in the car, and before long, we were in Lone Pine. (more…)