Sargent_Rock

Hey,dbb Just for your information, it snowed down to 4-5000 ft last night here in North Central Washington. Ya Hoo! Get out the hot drinks and the hard wax....or is it the "hard drinks and the hot wax???"

Yes, bouldering is goofy! Pointless, meaningless, and selfish too. Just like all other climbing (can you imagine anything more foolish than lashing your self to a Big Wall for days at a time?) Given the recent events in the News, bouldering and climbing seem like rather trival pursuits. But, then, isn't that the reason for this sport: to go to the hills, to find some peace from the color of the sky, to get some joy from the smell of the air and the warm feel of firm rock? Bouldering can provide some good exercise/training, some fun times with friends, some peaceful moments in the open air. Isn't that enough value for your time?

Feels like the weather has turned a corner, and a cooler air is now flowing down into the valleys of Central Washington. Ahh, that beautiful time of the year, when the night are chilly, the days are warm, and the rocks are bathed in that crisp, orange light. It's enough to make you want to chock-up and pull down on a thin gneiss edge.

Just out of curiosity, when did we start calling the beginning climber a “newbie?” First time I heard the expression was during the start of the movie Vertical Limit (have you ever laughed so hard??). Of course, I thought the term was pure Hollywood. Now I hear it in common usage. In the old days they were simply called beginners or novice climbers. Not that it matters, but did we gain something by changing the term?

Climbing is a physical activity that seeks a spiritual solution for a mental problem...

It's too damn hot, and there are too many fires to do any climbing in Central Washington right now.

I agree with those who say we should not pay this parking fee. If we fall into line, and pay this tax, then next year the government will find a way to charge us for every mile of trail we hike. If we the people are having a hard time paying for the "up keep" of our wild lands, then perhaps we should divert some of the money from health care research, or weapon development to pay for trail building.

It was my older brother's doing. He took me climbing when we were kids. One day he hauled me up Tahquitz. We got trapped by darkness. Despite the cold and discomfort, I saw/felt the beauty, peace, and friendship that seems to only exsist amoung the high places, the crags and mountains... Since then it's just been one climb after another.

Sounds like a good time. Perhaps I can talk some of the local boys into it and we can join in the fun. They'll want to bring their medicine, OK?

I have climbed Liberty Crack 8 times over the last 15 years and could give you lots of beta. But you know, the first time I climbed it was the best (before I learned the many "tricks" that enabled last year's "speedy" ascent). With the on-sight ascent we took a long time, and despite fixed pitches, darkness covered the rock before we we're able to finished the last ropelength. This timing mandated rapels across moonlite quartz crystals, and a long, tortuous, thirsty decent to a 4AM "party" with "cold ones" at the Van. It would be my pleasure to give you all the beta you might need (including gear selection, belay stations considerations, best summer weather patterns, and safe lunar cycles), but I think you'll have more fun if you just go to the base, uncoil the rope and go for it.