Road Trippin' "This time, its personal."

Prezwoodz

Well since we are headed down to the Dgrin Shootout John and I decided that driving was the way to go. Partially because we like road trips also because we are a tid bit crazy. But don't tell anyone.

This thread is going to be an ongoing affair. If you want to see the other side of the story from John (coldclimb) check this thread here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=106572

We somehow convinced others to pack into a little Kia with us and off we go. So here we go.

We managed to get real far before we had any issues. Well the gear didn't fit and so we had to get my dad to make us an awesome front rack for the vehicle. Then we got a whole 15 more minutes before we started to overheat and had to patch the overflow with duct tape, epoxy, and bike tire.


So we drove on into the Sign forest and walked around for a little while.

They say they have 55,000+ signs from all over the world.

John found some equipment to walk on and Richard has his $12 :huh orange juice.


Richard drives way to fast.


another good caterpilar engine that worked on the Alaska Highway.


We drove through to BC and found some big ol' bufferlo,


A view of the road. Which we saw a lot of.


This is what it looks like....ya for over 2000 miles in 3 days. And were going for a few months.


Richard asks where the bufferlo are.



We drove on to Alberta and stopped in the middle of the night. Suddenly a huge T-Rex burst through the woods!!! Richard was freaked. Jess started to run and Tracy said "Meh, ive seen a large carnivore attacking me in the middle of the night before."

schmoo

$12 OJ but you keep a loaf of bread on the dashboard?

Looks like the road trip of a lifetime. Hope it continues to go well!

ian408

More :lurk

HiI'mScott

The best way to travel, Keep'em coming!

Ann McRae

Wow, what a first day = many miles. You guys drove right past my place I'm pretty sure!
Anxiously awaiting the rest!

ann

BradfordBenn

Now I got new places to go see... keep the pics coming.

ian408

BradfordBenn wrote:

Now I got new places to go see... keep the pics coming.

Dude. I feel like such a slacker when I read these. Don't you?

BradfordBenn

ian408 wrote:

Dude. I feel like such a slacker when I read these. Don't you?

Yup

bike21

Fun pics! Have fun

Prezwoodz

Hello!

So we have been traveling hard and haven't had the chance for internet for quite some time! But we finally got that covered and so here comes a whole bunch of pictures! First off we headed into Idaho and decided to see the Craters of the Moon which John and I had already visited but nobody else had.

First we drove past the closed visitor center and headed into the park proper. Its a really neat place where you drive from Brown sandy desertness to black lava rock. We walked up into a few splatter cones and admired the colors within. One of the cones even had ice just about 20 feet below the ground which you could see. It was hard to imagine ice year round in the heat of the day.


Richard gives an Indiana Jones impression as they peer into the cone.


We then headed into the tunnels themselves stopping first at an easy wide open tunnel with some head obstacles.


Its nice being on a trip with so many other people because it doesent seem that I am the only one making the odd faces. Richard has a knack for making weird looks at the camera.


We decided to get some real fun in and crawl around on the areas where you cant stand. And can barely move at all! Tracy finds the small way through.


The happy couple (who makes us a bit quesy since all our loved ones are elsewhere). John and Tracy at sunset.


In the caves I love experiementing with different shutter speeds and this time was no different. None of these pictures are edited. Here John plays with a lighter and makes a neat effect.


Since John, Richard, and Jess are fire fighters we recreated a scene so that others could see what a fire is like. Does it give everyone a good idea?


We arrived in the afternoon so we rushed through and finished the large cave before heading back to the car during the sunset. Jess crawled into this lava tube and thought of the movie Tremors.


We drove next to City of Rocks in Idaho. Which I loved! So those pictures are next.

Prezwoodz

After Craters of the Moon we finally got to get out and do what was intended in the trip, that is to say we stopped driving and started climbing! We drove to City of Rocks which I have heard lots of things about and none of those things bad. I had a low expectation even with all of the great things said about the area.

We drove from this flat farmland with hills and some things which may be called mountains to those outside of Alaska and suddenly were entranced by the large spires of granite which made me salivate!



We drove into the nearest campsite we could find and pulled up to the perfect place to teach Jess how to climb. A wall called Practice Rock. Here Jess gets ready for her first rappel.


We then decided it was time to step it up a big. Richard and I both thought the rock was so good we soloed a few routes just for fun. Here we decided to rope on Elephant Rock. John got to climb what the climbing guide calls the "coolest flake in the known universe."


The route did end up being pretty amazing. It was a 5.8 and about 120 feet of perfect flake to a hand crack. Everyone but tracy took a run on this climb and loved it! Jess pulled hard and managed to climb through this on her first day.


While John was belaying for Richard I went ahead and climbed another classic route to the left that was a 5.9. Tracy followed up after on this really neat arete route.


This area was certainly not something I was used to!


John takes a moment to ponder from the top of Elephant Rock.


I don't have any pictures of the climb I did next but it was probably one of the most interesting of my life. It was not a difficult climb but it is the longest climb that I have soloed. I was waiting for Richard to come belay when it came into my mind that it was something I could do. I looked up at the route and all the moves fell into place. I began the chimney climb to the crack and took a moment to meditate from the top of a large block before committing fully to a climb or die situation. Near the middle of the route I began to shake in my legs but took a few deep breaths and reminded myself that it was not really something I wanted to begin to get nervous about. Soon I was at the top. It is strange because the climb itself is not hard at all but the satisfaction from it was immense. If anyone is curious of the climb it is on Elephant Rock and is the left crack which is a 5.7 and called the quintessential crack climb of the city.

Okay so continuing on we climbed down and John decided to try the boulder which sat just below the climbs. he couldn't quite figure out how to get his mind to commit to this move this morning.


That night I slept better then I had since I left Alaska. The views of rock and the deep feeling of satisfaction rested my bones. We awoke to another beautiful day and headed into Castle Rocks Park which is just down the road from City of Rock...what an area!
I love seeing wildlife along the way.


We headed off to some easier large climbs to get Jess up on her first multi-pitch climb. Here we are going up a 5.8 on Castle Rock.




We all cruised this in style including Richard leading the first pitch.


Richard followed up last on the next pitches and looks a bit fatigued in this sun.


Still he had no difficulties in getting up the wall.


As we are climbing John comes up to a 5.10c which is a bit of difficulty. Still in his guide tennies he decides that he can do it. He climbs up a few bolts and asks me if theres any more. The book looks like it says he needs gear. So John, armed with only slings, climbs a 5.10c basically trad route while placing knotted slings in the rock with no actual climbing shoes on. Sometimes he does seem a bit nutter.


Then it was Jess's time to follow the summit and get her first good climbing summit.


Richard finds a good angle on the wall but thankfully the large holds make this a cake walk.


Ahh the summit and more of the beautiful Castle Rocks.



I dropped Richard back down and had him hang out for a while. Our route goes right down the wall.


After climbing the easy routes we decided on some hard climbing and we went up an easier 5.11c before heading off to a 5.12c/d which for some reason to which I still can't explain I decided to try leading. It was an adventure for sure. Here John works into the crux delicatly.


The next morning I hopped on Electric Ave a 5.12a and had a good ol' time before we had to keep moving on. I loved City of Rocks and will defintely be going back!

Prezwoodz

We drove onto Utah and spent a night at Richards grandparents house before going up and meeting with his sister and heading into Maple Canyon for some more great climbing. At first I didn't like the area, something about it made it not so enjoyable, but the more I tooled around the more enjoyable it became. Soon I was climbing every route I could find.

Richard hopped up on this climb and instead of going right on the 5.9 for a nice hard lead he went left and ended up on a 5.10c. We decided not to tell him until he properly kicked his own butt on the route. He almost did it and with just a little more energy he would have had it.


Belayed by his very nice twin sister Kristina, Richard lets go and takes a little baby fall.


I added this picture because I wanted to show the rock. Its strange because it does not look like something you would want to climb but its just amazing how it holds together!

BradfordBenn

Once again I feel like a slacker

Prezwoodz

After Maple Canyon we drove onto Nevada to go see Jess and Tracy's families and of course climb at Red Rocks which is located just outside the city!

First off we drove on the 13 mile one way road into the park and pulled off at the second pullout.


The temps were hot..real hot. So we decided to climb in the Black Corridor which is an area that gets shade most of the day. The corridor was great with lots of bolted routes. There were a good amount of people there but still enough routes for us to climb all day without waiting for them. Here a nice guy from Switzerland who let us use his climbing guide climbs a 5.10d.



A view out back toward the road.


The rock in the area is amazing. Super red,hollow and somehow still strong. It has all types of pockets and other holes for climbing.



We setup some ropes on a few 5.10's and baked away in the sun for a little bit. We arrived right at the time where the sun hits the canyon directly and would be in the sun for an hour or so. Richard here did not need any more sun!



John climbed next so that I could finally get some pictures of someone leading!



The area is called a corridor for a reason. To climb a route on the other side of the wall you don't even have to move your rope. Just turn around and start belaying.



Moving along with style on crimpers.



The rock textures are amazing in this area. Huge pockets and the climbs go direct right through them! We climbed 3 routes in this specific pocketed area.



We climbed for a while through the heat of the day then had to run so Jess could make pasta for her grandma. We were all cursing the heat of the desert at this point except for Tracy who was wearing a tshirt over a long sleeve shirt, loving the heat, and saying "I want to do a cartwheel."



Well since I had never actually been into Las Vegas Jess, Richard, and I went in to see what was afoot. Jess and I were both utterly crushed that the Star Trek Experience was closed. That being the only thing I ever wanted to see in Vegas. Still we went to see the aquarium at Mandalay Bay...closed. Okay we will just go see the Bodies exhibit at the Luxor...closed. Well after feeling defeated because we didn't feel like seeing any porn that night and that seemed the only thing left to do we left. We walked through Ceasars Palace and the fake sky and statues.



One thing we did manage to see was the fountain show at the Bellagio. I tried the Oceans 11 shot. Managed a little something.


I gotta admit ive never seen a town like it. Its pretty colorful and I wonder how Paris felt about this.



It was also interesting to see a giant sphinx at the Luxor. Jess was disappointed that it had a nose.



Jess and Richard in front of the Bellagio taking a break. We were all thouroughly beat from this town by this point. Rock climbings easy. Walking around this towns hard.




We headed back the place and crawled into our respective sleeping bags. Viva Lets get the heck out of here!

Cuong

Those rocks look amazing and they are certainly red.

Cuong

rokklym

Awesome photos. You guys make it look like that 10C is a cakewalk! I haven't been to City of Rocks yet, looks amazing!

DoctorIt

You Alaska boys don't get much sun up there eh?

Fantastic trip and photos. Really wish I was meeting up with you guys at the shootout.

coldclimb

DoctorIt wrote:

You Alaska boys don't get much sun up there eh?

Fantastic trip and photos. Really wish I was meeting up with you guys at the shootout.

Haha, no we don't. All of us except Kelsey have had some skin peeling here or there this trip.

Prezwoodz

So I have a lot of pictures of Zion...I am going to try and bump it to the next page so it doesn't kill everyones connection!!

Prezwoodz

We actually did this climb before the Narrows but I have so many pictures of the Narrows I didn't want them all on this page slowing down the internet to a crawl that not even Al Gore could save us all from...

John and I decided on going to The Organ for climbing which is directly across the way from Touchstone Wall which we had climbed in Epic Style several years before. This time we planned on going up and coming down all within daylight conditions. Does anything really ever go to plan?

We arrived at the base of the climb called Organasm which is 5.8,C1,C2,5.7 and found a party already on it. We were so fixed on it though we decided to hang out at the base and just enjoy the day until they were high enough for us to begin.


Upon inspection of the ground which John and I were just randomly taking pictures of we found a friendly reptile.


He was nice enough to pose for a few pictures.


John then walked around the corner and managed to find a $100 piece of gear stuck in the rock. He got it out and claimed it as booty! Richard and Jess gave this fun crack a go as well.



I went up the first pitch which said 5.8...and felt a whole lot harder. John then proceeded to lead the second pitch which was C2. That meant that it was an aid climb with clean placements (no hammering).



The walls in Zion are Incredible!!!


Well we managed to finish off our climb with me leading the final pitch in the dark and doing another rappel...in the dark. I loved it! What a great way to finish the day in Zion. Next day was off to Moab.

Prezwoodz

We drove to the gates of Zion in the middle of the night and camped at Mosquito Cove free camping. Laying under the stars on the open ground (or in some of our cases an inflatable air mattress) is always a great way to start a trip into Zion. Then again I've only been here once before and it started much the same way so perhaps I am speaking too soon.

We made our way into Zion and headed directly for the Narrows which John and I had spent some time in before as well as Tracy but Jess and Richard had never been. We started from the Temple at the end of the road and waded off into the water.


The Narrows for anyone who hasn't been there is a wonderful walk through a canyon where the Virgin River runs. Lots of areas offer pictures in this canyon although I would recommend a tripod since its hard lighting conditions for much of it.


The walls tower immensely several hundred feet direct form the canyon floor. We spent a good deal of the time saying "look at that line!" "Look at that crack!"


It is always nice to have sun for the beginning of the hike since the river can be cold to some. Since its warmer then any water I would be taking a dip in at home I didn't seem to have much issue but others were getting quite chilled. Maybe its my extra layer of padding. Richard Pauses to enjoy a few moments of sun.


We did find a few areas to have some extra fun in. Here John decides to take a flying leap off the wall after running around it. Hopefully I'll get the energy to stitch this into one.


As you go deeper into the canyon it narrows even further into wonderful dark walls of rock.


As always we try to take a few moments off to climb something...anything! Richard tests the stickiness of his tennies.


Jess climbed up into this hole to enjoy a few moments of sunshine that was gone within 5 minutes. Her and Tracy got into a mudfight and got quite wet in the process.


Tracy found her own hole of solitude. Warrior marks of mud still slashed under the eyes.


I thought this looked like an album cover. So much that I threw names up in it.


We managed to find a nice place in the sun to spend a moments rest and found a few friends hanging out in the same little area. So we moved in for the kill.


And took the Shot!


And that was it. I love "shooting" things with my camera. Its all the ammo I need.


The sun began to give us less light and we continued on to Big Springs which is the first campsite and our destination for today.


An incredible beautiful canyon, it is easy not to get bored in.


We finally reached the springs and began our hike back. Since it was 5pm already or so we decided that rushing back was the best choice of option. Jess decided to wait up for me since I had sat back to take pictures.


And with that we were back out of the canyon and onto the bus just in time to catch the sunset. It was a beautiful hike that most of us would be feeling in different injuries in the morning. Its odd how the cold water keeps you from noticing that you bruised your arch!

Prezwoodz

After Zion we drove to Bryce and took an hour or so looking around. Although I do have pictures from that I don't realllly feel like editing them right now! So Perhaps later. Now though we headed into Moab and spent the night at the Castleton Climbers Campground. Which is awesome, a campground dedicated to climbers, who apparently don't use the bathroom, and is free! We slept under the stars with Castleton looming overhead. The first and second night we had rain which managed to soak my sleeping bag up good. Doh. Then finally it cleared and the weather made itself beautiful again.

The cliffs in the morning are a beautiful color of red and green.


Castleton Tower and the Rectory on the left. 2 years ago John and I climbed Ancient Art and the Cobra, which some might remember from the pictures ( http://prezwoodz.smugmug.com/photos/176989397_RgdxC-L-1.jpg ), and I have dreamed of Climbing Castleton Ever since. I guess we will just have to see what happens!



We drove into Arches NP and did a climb on Owl Rock which is an easy climb but a prominent pillar. I lead the climb and everyone followed after. Here is Richard.


A Black Diamond advertisement.


Climbing into the Crux


He pulled through just fine and the next to follow was Jess. Digging for gold, or a handhold. When your at that situation its the same thing .



Jess at the crux giving a look of determination.


She goes for the move..... and


Jams her finger right into the rock. Well thats something we have all done!


Tracy climbed up in style on the follow and soon we were all at the summit!
John has the summit shot of all of us if anyone is curious to see us all jammed ontop a small desert tower summit.


There are no longer any bolts at the summit so its a climb back down to the good anchors where Richard keeps a tentative eye out.


John rappels the route as though he is being lowered on a stretcher.


That was our only climb for the day. Next it was off to the Arches to take a look around!

Prezwoodz

So then it was off to the Arches! Horray, The first thing we came across was a piece of wood in the trail. John and I like to see who can take a good shot of a piece of wood. It is of course just opinion but its fun. I got this one,


Its always harder to take a good picture of dead wood then I imagined so we headed off to the arches.
John: I can get a picture of that.
Richard: Psshh, Ive made bigger arches then that.
Jess: Maybe if I tilt my head it will look different. Thats a big bucket!


John and Tracy doing the sentimental thing in the arch.


What does your horizon look like? Here is a city without the buildings.


I tried to get a night shot of the Delicate Arch but I am still new to these so this is what I came up with.


Attempt #2. It was pretty neat seeing this shot come out as it did with a shadow from the moon.


And your standard mountains with snow...wait...snow? Yup!


The next day would be the realization of a dream for me! I hope to have those pictures up real soon!

Prezwoodz

The morning looked right, so we hopped up onto Castleton! This beautiful tower is only accessable by flight or climbing. We opted for the cheaper choice!
The route ascends the right dihedral cracks.


We attacked this peak with the ferocity of Everest Sherpas. That is to say we ended up being a party of 8 and we had some people leading, some rope soloing, and some just being belayed.
From the 5 of us on the road trip John took off first and climbed the Chimney.


Jeff Constine aka "Medusa" leading up the 2nd pitch 5.8.



Richard following on the 5.8 pitch.


Richard Multitasking by pulling a rope and unclipping another at the same time. Seriously, climbing needs your hands!



The crux 3rd pitch is a 5.9+ off width / lieback that everyone climbed. It ended up being much more fun then we imagined!



Richard and Jess are belaying in style from a good size ledge on the 3rd pitch.


Richard at the Crux. Giving a face that...well its not exactly a happy face like you see on Ronald Mcdonald while hes handing out cheeseburgers.


The Rectory and other great climbing objectives from the summit.


Some more redness from the summit and streams which used to exist.


John belays Tracy up for the last pitch. What a wonderful route!


We rappelled down the North Face on an awesome rappel. It was quite amazing.



With so many people we ended up with a person on every rappel.



Hiking back to the car was long and painful since my feet still hurt. But the sights were amazing!


I tried a night shot and I'm still working on it. This one didn't turn out to good.

Ann McRae

Prezwoodz wrote:

John rappels the route as though he is being lowered on a stretcher.


That was our only climb for the day. Next it was off to the Arches to take a look around!

Ann McRae

Prezwoodz wrote:

We rappelled down the North Face on an awesome rappel. It was quite amazing.




Hiking back to the car was long and painful since my feet still hurt. But the sights were amazing!

HiI'mScott

Wow, looks like an amazing trip. I had no idea what I was getting into when I start reading the thread from page 2, great shots .

Elaine

I agree with Ann!!!

Prezwoodz

Thanks everyone for the replies! John and I love reading them when we sit down. Were at the Shootout now and hopefully we can bring you some more pictures soon!

Thanks again!

Prezwoodz

So here we are at the shootout! I haven't taken a lot of photos especially since we are trying to help everyone else get photos with climbing and rope jumping but I did manage to get up at 4:30 in the am with John and head to Deadhorse Point for a sunrise shoot. I didn't realize that there was a 4:30 in the am before this time and I probably wont be seeing it again anytime soon.

Heres me looking oddly oblong.


And John with a "what are you nutters!?" looking as happy to be awake as I was.


Just in case it wasn't completely obvious I got a hold of a fisheye lens for a little bit and had some real fun with it. Even the sky looks different.


John thought it was real funny that I had grown to immense proportions in such a short amount of time. Atleast my body finally matched my feet.


Then I finally looked around and realized I had missed the sunset we came to shoot. Doh! I took a few photo's of the landscape to try and make up for it.


Ahhh great timing.


It was around this time I got the fisheye back and we found a squirrel. John bet me a smoothie that I couldn't get a fisheye photo of a squirrel and the hunt was on! The reason it is difficult is because the lens was at 8mm. At about a foot away it seems as though something it 15 feet back. You can imagine how hard it is to get something as fast and small as a squirrel. (which in reality was a Colorodo Chipmunk but we don't have those in Alaska so I am pretending they don't exisit.)
After much hunting I finally hit the money shot thanks to a piece of bread and some peanut butter. The smoothie is within my grasp!


He didn't hang around long as he was on to me and jet off!


Deadhorse Point had taken on a rather beautiful light at this point. I turned the fisheye to other directions knowing that my smoothie was sealed.


That day we went and rigged a rope jump at the Gemini Bridges. We were not able to get any of the dgrinners to jump but everyone was great and came out to watch us leap off a cliff.
I went first and then Jess took her first leap off a cliff.


Anyone who hasn't seen the video of that is really missing out!
John was next and decided to give Ivar a fisheye of him going over the top. So he did some crazy flips and off he went!


I went back into the hole via backflip and took photo's of Richard leaping off into the abyss.


I believe the shadow says it all.


I took this photo and did a minor edit. Its a bit blown out but I do like it.


And then Jess, not to be shown up by Richard, flew off the cliff again. Seems shes takin to danger.


Well thats all I have for now. Tomorrow we are going to climb Ancient Art and then were off to Indian Creek for some more climbing!

DoctorIt

Prezwoodz wrote:

Anyone who hasn't seen the video of that is really missing out!

Post a link, I haven't seen squat!!! I've just been mopping up this joint while you guys are having all the fun!

Great fish shots