Last Day At Tahquitz And Death Valley

Wow, just when I was so proud of myself for keeping this current, I got super busy, and way behind. I've been working on getting my resume up to date, talking to recruiters, etc. So, I'm going to try to catch up a bit in small installments.

After my last post, Brett and I spent one more day climbing at Tahquitz. We decided to do The Long Climb (5.8), with the 5.8 direct start via The Wong Climb Pitch 1. The direct start first pitch was amazing. It was just a beautiful, long, splitter hand crack. I felt so solid on this pitch, it was incredible. I can scarcely remember when I've felt so good climbing a pitch. Brett wasn't feeling like leading, so I led all of the pitches, and I pretty much felt great the whole way...except perhaps for one point when I fumbled and dropped a cam. Then, I felt kind of stupid. Fortunately, it landed in a bush a short way down and I was able to lower down and get it, then finish the pitch. I just got to do a little bonus climbing. Generally, though, I had a "climbing should always feel like this" kind of "in the zone" feeling for the whole climb. In case you hadn't gathered, I enjoyed it. :-)

On the last pitch, instead of taking the standard finish on easy fifth class ramps to the right, I followed a 5.7 angling crack directly up, which was fine until the crack ran out and deposited me on a dirty slab with no protection. I was able to pick my way through it, though, to a small roof where I could get some gear, and then on to the top. Next time, I'll do the standard finish. :-)

Brett following on The Long Climb

Tahquitz from the base

The next day, I left Boojum, and got in touch with Alan Baldwin. He was on a road trip and headed for Death Valley which was more or less in the direction I was planning on heading, so we arranged to meet up. I drove to Red Rock Canyon State Park (in California, not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas) and camped for the night with Alan, then the next day, we continued to Death Valley.

Alan at our campsite

Sunset over Red Rock Canyon State Park

Another Sunset Pic, with a Joshua Tree on the horizon

We arrived at Death Valley in the early afternoon, visited a great overlook and took some great pictures, which I somehow managed to lose, then drove on into the Valley, checked out the visitor center, and got a campsite. We spent the rest of the day checking out the "Devil's Golf Course" (crazy salt formations), Artist's Drive (lots of crazy-colored rock), and Bad Water (the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere).

The Devil's Golf Course - that's some rough!

Looking up at sea level...

Badwater: That's not ice; it's salt.

The following day, we drove out of the park and back in via Titus Canyon road, a long, one-way, dirt road, that's a bit rough in places. They recommend 4-wheel drive and high clearance, but it's really not that bad. The Subaru made it fine. The road passes an abandoned mine at Leadville, then, towards the end of the drive, as you near the valley floor, the canyon narrows to a slot canyon barely wider than the road. It was a nice drive, with some cool scenery.

The Subinator on Titus Canyon Road

The Leadville Mine

I just thought this was cute. :-)

After we got back into the valley, we drove up to "Scotty's Castle", a mansion built by some rich guy a long time ago. Obviously, I didn't pay for the $11 tour. Then, we checked out Ubehebe crater, a big hole in the ground with a great name, formed by explosive force when magma came into contact with underground water. Pretty impressive.

Scotty's Castle

Ubehebe Crater

The next day, I said goodbye to Alan and drove to Las Vegas. I got a campsite outside of town at the Red Rock Canyon campground and spent the next two days working on my resume and talking to recruiters. On the third day, I climbed. :-) More next time....

Route List for 10/23-28:

• The Long Climb Direct (First Pitch of Wong Climb, last pitch via 5.7 crack and dirty slab) (5 pitches, 5.8, Trad) (Onsight)