[TR] Lake Tahoe- Fun Fun Fun 9/3/2006

[TrogdortheBurninator]

Climb: Lake Tahoe-Fun Fun Fun

 

Date of Climb: 9/3/2006

 

Trip Report:

Wife and I spent last week in Lake Tahoe, climbing and doing other fun stuff. This is a great destination for a not strictly climbing vacation.

 

Sun: Arrived in Tahoe and hung out at condo

 

Mon: We climbed at Big Cheif, a basalt sport crag near truckee. The climbing was super fun. Some really steep routes with easy grades because of the monster jugs (also lots of hard stuff). This pic is of "War Path" a local ***** 5.9. This is a pretty good crag, but it should ne noted that the approach direction in "Climbing Tahoe" are either dead wrong or outdated.

 

Tues: We climbed at 90ft wall by eagle falls/emerald bay. This is a great user friendly crag with crack and face routes spaced every 4 ft. Suposedly the most popular crag in Tahoe due to the easy access, great scenery and easy TRing.

 

Wed: We rented bikes and rode the world class Flume Trail on the east shore of the lake. If you are in the area, and have a rest day, I'd highly reccommend this ride. It starts with a bit of a grunt (7000-8100ft in 4 miles, steep at the end), but the expanding views allow time to pass quick. Next, after a quick descent you arrive at a lake which is a great place for lunch. After circling the lake, the trail ends and you carry your bike over some rocks to pick up the actual Flume trail. A flume is an logging drainage used to move logs down the hill side. The removal of the wooden framework left behind some great easy single track with impressively exposed views. The trail is pretty sandy, so while not technical, you still have to be on your toes. Unfortunately these pics dont do the trail justice, but take my word, it is great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thurs: I fished the Truckee river in the morning. Then we kayaked in the lake. Then we went mini golfing. Then I fished again in the evening. Only caught one fish, but he was a pretty good one considering the season and time of day.

 

Fri: I really wanted to spend a day at lover's leap, but wife doesnt like multpitch routes, so I needed a partner. Unable to find anybody on rc.com or supertopo.com, I drove down alone with hopes of finding somebody. Got there about 9:30, asked around, found nobody, and started waiting. I spent maybe an hour bouldering at the very nice campground boulders, but the problems are all fairly high, so I stuck to easy stuff. Back at the parking lot, still no luck with partners. Finally around 12:00, I found a group of 3 that wouldn't mind a fourth. I got to play rope gun for a great partner on Haystack and the Line. Haystack is good, some really fun climbing on a cool looking line. The Line is sooo much better though (both get ***** in book). We climbed the route late in the day and had it to ourselves.

The line is probably the most fun crag route I've climbed anywhere. It packs more good climbing than outerspace into a route half the length. 400 ft of climbing bliss with perfect pro and awesome memorable cruxes.

 

 

 

 

 

Sat: More fishing and hanging out on the truckee and little truckee rivers

 

 

 

[layton]

Cool, sounds like fun!

 

Here is your TR in "summary form"

"Did a bunch of crap with the wife so I could do some climbing at Lover's Leap, which was the real (but hidden) adgenda of the trip."

[Blake]

most of your pics aren't working, and i am keen to see them. That looks like a fun spot to visit. My impression of tahoe is kinda an over-priced glitzy spot overrun with weekend warrior yuppie types from the Bay Area..... how would you describe the overal atmosphere of the place?

[Rad]

No Mike, the climbing was icing on a large slice of Cali-cake.

 

Haystack was one of my first 5.8 leads. My partners fell at the crux lip and we were unable to remove the bomber hex I had been belaying through despite some bashing. Now I use cams at the belay when possible.

 

The Line is definitely awesome.

[Winter]

Nice! Thanks for the stoke. Headed to the area with the wife in a couple of weeks.

[catbirdseat]

How could anyone not like multipitch climbing? Buy Sam some more comfortable rock shoes maybe?

[TrogdortheBurninator]

More like a double agenda, as I made it clear early how bad I wanted to climb at lover's leap.

 

Blake, not sure why the pics arent working. They should be fine.

 

The tourist season basically ended abruptly memorial day afternoon, and the whole area (except maybe south lake tahoe), had a super laid back atmosphere.

[slothrop]

Do you mean it ended Labor Day afternoon?

 

Looks like a perfect vacation. Could you find cheap plane tickets?

[TrogdortheBurninator]

ah yes, labor day oop:)

 

We had two $100 off vouchers that expired august 31st, so tix were like $130 each. Car was about $13/day. Condo was a gift from Sam's great aunt (cost us $200 in booking fees). Pretty sweet deal

[fgw]

Southwest was having some pretty good deals to reno as of last Sunday. Best was something like $80 rt + all the taxes ~ $100+/person rt.

[Off_White]

Next time you should add Donner Summit to your climbing agenda, one of my favorite cragging areas anywhere. Looks like a splendid vacation.

[stillcrankin]

Holy s#*t.....

You don't need to tell everybody about this place!!

[hanman]

I just got back from an "alltooshort" 5 day trip to LL (including driving). Cold, rainy, and windy but still managed Haystack, Bears Reach, Line, Surrealistic Pillar and a bunch of Phantom Spires stuff in the sun. 2nd pitch of SP was quite special. I loved it all, and will go back soon for sure!!!

[bwrts]

Sweet thanks for sharing. I am leaving for truckee to climb this weekend with erik and sara in 4hrs.........hopefully Lovers Leap, Donner and Eagle something will fit in to our already busy schedule of NOT working!