Rock Climbing
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Crow’s Nest, Towers of Uncertainty
The second day of climbing in Joshua Tree was better than the first, with more challenging climbs. Despite initial nerves, I successfully led the Trench Connection route, marking a significant achievement and setting the stage for more accomplishments in the future. The Towers of Uncertainty offer a great opportunity for practicing moderate trad climbing and…
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Outward Bound Slab
Our climbing trip to Joshua Tree in 2024 began with a revisit to Bear Island crag. We planned to tackle the Shardik climb, hopefully addressing my previous fears of leading. When we discovered the route was taken, we moved to Outward Bound Slab, where I successfully conquered my first trad lead. The challenging grades at…
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Goodbye Winter, Hello…
Our ice climbing plans in Banff were thwarted by melting ice, leading to a decision to switch to rock climbing. Facing a snowfall warning and unappealing options, we decided to leave for Joshua Tree, California. We quickly booked the trip and planned our climbing adventures.
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Joshua Tree Journal, March 21 – 23, 2023
THE LAST FEW DAYS – A couple of bad weather days gave me the opportunity to contemplate my failure to lead and lessons learned. On the last day, we hiked out to a new area of the park and discovered potential climbing areas for our next trip. Even though I did not lead, the trip…
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Joshua Tree Journal, March 20, 2023
DAY 9 – The day involved climbing at the Lava Dome, facing challenges in anchor building and rope management. A shift in mindset led to a satisfying climb. After a victorious lead by Dan, the day ended with cleaning the anchor and a sense of accomplishment. It was a rewarding experience despite the cold and…
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Joshua Tree Journal, March 19, 2023
DAY 8 – I practiced gear placement and climbed a challenging route on top rope. I watched Dan succeed in leading the climb. My hands were scratched up and sore and I was tired so I decided to focus on recovery for the next day’s climbs and belayed Dan as he led another route.
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Joshua Tree Journal, March 18, 2023
DAY 7 – At the Towers of Uncertainty, I attempted to lead a challenging climb. Despite feeling scared and frustrated, I persisted, focusing on gear placement and building confidence. After numerous attempts, I began to feel more comfortable but decided to save the lead for another day. The experience was valuable and rewarding.
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Joshua Tree Journal, March 17, 2023
DAY 6 – We decided to explore Indian Cove instead of going back to Bear Island. We found many climbers already there, and we did not find a climb to do. We returned to town, bought a longer static rope, and later found great climbing routes at the Towers of Uncertainty.