J-Tree: Part 1

The weekend before last a good friend and I met up to do some climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. I have been here a few times before and every time I return I am blown away by the natural beauty the place possesses.

First day I started off the day by climbing Looney Tunes 5.9 on the Rock Hudson formation. A good warm up to get used to the rock.

After that Kris lead up an amazing line Hot Rocks 5.11c just to the left of the previous route. This route was so good that we both did it twice!! The crux was a right hand finger jam / layback / one arm pull up with smearing feet at best. Whoa. Awesome. After being blown away by that route we made our way over Peyote Cracks just across the way via White Rastafarian a 35 foot "boulder problem". Kris attacked and won. Andrew ran away with his tail between his legs.


Peyote Cracks was a good way to end the day. We scrambled up to the top of the formation and i lowered Kris to the bolts to set the top ropes. I couldn't help but think of Eli. There I was sitting in a "slight indentation" with no anchor lowering Kris off the edge. The only thing that was missing was the hip belay. Attempted Apartheid 5.12c and Rastafarian 5.13b both of which I did not complete. Kris on the other hand completed both routes. Whoa. Awesome.

Quiting time! Wheres the beer?! Day two post is on its way...