While we are away...: Climbing in The City Of Rocks

The first route we climbed in City of Rocks was Rye Crisp 5.8. I've looked at photos of this thing for years and since it is right next to the road seemed like the perfect single pitch after our drive. The route was nice and the view from the top was like looking out over Joshua Tree. It felt good to be back in the desert.

The city turned out to be the perfect place to hangout for a week or so. We climbed several pitches a day and most every one ranged from good to amazing. On our first full day we climbed several of the "classic" routes on the Super Hits Wall. Below are photos of Bloody Finger 5.10a on the left and a nice 10bR that we top roped on the right.

Patterns in the rock.

Krystina leading Adolescent Homosapien 5.7

Cleaning Tow Away Zone 5.10a

It rained the first few days we were there right around 3pm. The rock would dry very fast so it was a perfect time to take a break in our day and just hang out.

We went to Steinfells Dome and climbed Theater of Shadows 5.7. It goes up the thumb looking feature just left of the huge dome in the above photo. The climb was very nice and a perfect lead for Krystina. She lead all 4 pitches most of which had at least 12 bolts (some 21). The rock is different than most of the other stuff we climbed and the route is a low angle romp up the long slab

Krystina leading the first pitch (above) and the second pitch (below).

The view from the top of Theater of Shadows.

On top.

Our fourth day we took a rest day which turned out to be very hard to to. There is so much climbing right there and nothing to do in the town. We watched a movie in the visitors center and then tried to go to the pool but it was Sunday and everything was closed. So, we drove back to the park and had lunch on top of Bath Rock. It has a tourist climb on the back side with rebar to pull yourself up on. Its like the cables on Half Dome but without the approach or the fear.

View from the top of Bath Rock.

The Bath... Hmmm

Going down the re-bar ladder.

Our Fourth Day we warmed up on Thin Slice 5.10a. This is a fun climb that is on one of the nicest colored areas that we climbed.

Cairo 5.11 Its too bad this thing is not 5 times as long. It was a very nice route though and not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

The Lichen color at the city is absolutely beautiful.

Interceptor 5.11a. This was my favorite lead in the city. Its a very cool crack that starts after about 15ft of easy climbing to get to where Krystina is in this photo. After that its a perfect finger lock to get into the crack and then great hand jamming that slowly widens to fists on the overhanging 15ft. Short but excellent...

We rounded out the day on Elephant Rock. This is Just Say No 5.9.

On one of our last days we went out to Stripe Rock for another 4 pitch route. This thing is called Cruel Shoes 5.7 and Krystina did a great job leading the whole route. This climb is bolted perfectly and safely but thankfully was not overdone.