Drederek

The Bend, The Cave and the Oasis all have a few, nothing like the Royal Columns though.

Thx again for the replies and especially the link to Splattski's voluminous site. I'm sure we will have a good time on our way thru at the end of next week.

So a little less than 1:03:xx or a little more? Back to the OP, and what to do next, I guess it really depends on the type of challenge you're looking for. I really don't get the speed thing other than it increases your range of possibilities. So I'd say harder or more hazardous. There are a lot of cool mountains out there that are much more enjoyable as a long day than carrying in gear and sleeping on the cold hard ground. The most important thing IMHO is to listen to yourself and turn around if it doesn't feel right. Don't let the goal overcome your good sense.

Well if you wanted more rock you should of zipped up one of these lines!

I appreciate the pics, thanks. I've been curious about Longs for a few years now. The rock looks more like Washington granite than Yosemite.

Thanks a lot, sounds like it will be just as easy as I had hopes.

Slick Rock definitely looks worthy, is there any camping nearby?

My wife and I will be driving back from the city of rocks in 3-4 weeks and will be coming back thru McCall. We would like to camp in that area and maybe stop for a hike or quick climb, to get a feel for the area and see if we want to come back for a longer visit. The city really suits my wife's taste, lots of 8's and 9's, amenities nearby and killer driveup camping. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

I'm pretty sure we bivied at #3 in your original picture - it was an outstanding location!

haha prolly right, meant Speckled Spot!

Walked by it on the way to speckled gums once a few years ago, it looked like it wasn't getting a lot of play. Speckled gums was a lot of fun and just a bit further and up.

So is this attitude more prevalent on large mountains with many people to manage? The one time I've seen a guide at work not on mt Rainier he seemed pretty friendly.

Thanks to the OP and responders for inspiring me to finally try this line. Constance is one of my measuring sticks, to see how good of shape I'm in for other, more interesting climbs. Let me tell you the west ridge is a more interesting climb, especially this week. There is enough snow in Avalanche canyon to avoid 90% of the scree on the way to Crystal pass, and 99% of the snow on the route is gone, just a wee bit near the top after the difficulties. Oh it still sucks going back down route 1 but the scree is not so bad when its downhill. I'd heard the rock was good, what I hadn't heard was that the climbing was good. It was thoroughly enjoyable and compared well to popular routes on more well respected types of stone. Alas, the low fifth bits were over all too soon. A couple hours up from Crystal pass and a thirty minute scramble (across dry rock) put me on the summit.

This was taken saturday

Climbed this route last sunday (june 30) and noticed a missing block where you describe. If the block you're describing matched the surrounding area its already gone, if not there may be a few pieces coming out of that little stack.

This woodrat didn't seem to mind sharing the crack very much at all. He lives at the City of Rocks.

Well Angels Crest must be a magnet for these kinds of things, last time my buddy and I climbed it we were held up for about an hour at the the p2 belay while a party of three self rescued themselves, there was no real way to get past right there and they were making slow but steady progress. Higher up and later in the day (after the acrophobe) we came upon another slow group. Waited another 30 minutes and I led out right behind the second and just kept going past their belay after asking if they minded if we passed. Any reply other than a very hostile/life threatening response and I would have continued but no need, they were very nice about it. I think they knew they would be finishing in the dark either way and we were able finish and get down to the campground by dark.

Yes it is much more than climbers, I almost always see or hear whole families walking up to the top of Fossil. There are some very nice swimming holes down the other side of the hiway as well. I hope this is just something for hunting/fire season (the way I interpreted it, perhaps naively) and not a year round thing.

Well I got pulled out of line last year for a dui in 1986! The officer let me thru but said if it was less than 10 years he would refuse me entry. And he made it sound like I was lucky he let me thru. One of the few unfriendly people I've met in Canada. Good Luck.

Wow! We saw the sign on sunday and thought it would be some kind of hassle but not expensive. It was pretty clean up there too except for a tent. I like Fossil but I think I'll not be going there after July till next year.

Binghams 7th ed seems pretty good to me, it is more of a real guidebook than some of the earlier ones. Its very similar to the blue tieton guide or Viktors first Leavenworth guide. Getting to some of the more remote crags can be adventurous! I believe the whole Bingham/Calderone controversy has its roots in the Almo massacre, or the reporting of it anyway.

I'm 98% sure Argonaut is the one on the right. Pic was taken Saturday from Crowbar Crag up the Icicle.

Thx for working on these great looking climbs, and especially telling us about them. How would you compare the hike up to say Memorial dome or the crystal cave?

Way to make the most of a moist weekend!

Guldurn Orygoonians otter stay the hell in Orygoonia!