Joshua Tree 2024

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  Castle Rock at Belle Campground

  The Belle Campground, near Joshua Tree National Park, offered new and challenging climbs, with Castle Rock’s moderate routes. But locating the campground proved tricky, and the climbs presented unexpected challenges. Despite the difficulties, the experience was fulfilling, with lessons learned and plans for more climbs in the coming days.

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  Indian Cove Campground

  We revisited Indian Cove Campground and explored Feudal Wall with its popular top ropes. After trying a 5.4 climb on the Short Wall, we rappelled down and moved to Pixie Wall and King Otto’s Castle. The 5.6 climb at Campfire Crags provided the most enjoyment. We also considered a challenging 5.6 climb at Moosedog Tower…

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  Short Wall, Right Side

  We spent a day at Short Wall in Indian Cove Campground, testing crack climbing techniques. We tried 5.3 and 5.6 routes, using top rope to practice foot and hand jams. The 5.6 route also incorporated face holds. We found the walk-off easy and concluded that the approach was simpler than expected, with various trad and…

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  Morbid Mound

  We visited Indian Cove Campground on a less busy weekday. We tried Morbid Mound and struggled with the climbs, realizing the challenge of crack climbing. We learned new techniques, and felt excited to try crack climbing again. The area features natural anchor setups and easy walk-offs, making it suitable for top roping.

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  Asian Fever Buttress

  We explored the Asian Fever Buttress, seeking adventure and new challenges. Facing unexpected difficulties, we navigated tricky rock formations. Despite the day’s unexpected obstacles, we successfully completed our climbs and safely descended, feeling proud of our accomplishments and newfound knowledge.

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  Mustang Ranch

  Dan and I decided to climb at Mustang Ranch near Bear Island. Dan led the 5.6 route “Chicken Ranch” smoothly. When I attempted the climb, I struggled but eventually found my rhythm and completed it. The climbs at Mustang Ranch require gear placement and building a natural feature anchor. Accessible from Boy Scout Trail, it’s…

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  Lava Dome

  I wanted a challenging climb and explored various rock formations in the park. After overcoming nerves, I successfully led the 5.4 Lava Lamp climb at Towers of Uncertainty. The climb enables me to contribute more to our climbing days, a significant step in their trad climbing journey.

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  Bear Island

  On the third climbing day, we faced cold, windy conditions at the Towers of Uncertainty. We found success at Bear Island, where we tackled climbs of varying difficulty. The experience built confidence and readiness for more challenging climbs in the future.