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Fluoride
Trad climber
on a rock or mountain out west
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 14, 2006 - 09:08pm PT
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What a difference a few weeks made. Bishop was amazing this weekend, sunny and 70's in the Gorge. And best of all, the place is finally melted out from the New Years storm.
Bivied up in Rock Creek, you can see Bear Creek Spire off in the far distance coated with snow. A lot of backcountry ski folks parked at East Fork, where the road is only plowed to. Anything else is backcountry at this point:
Mmmmmm Wheeler...:
The Central Gorge approach route is now pretty much snow-free. Unlike the snowy conditions it had only a few weeks ago:
(the way it was):
The trail through the base of the Gorge 3 weekends ago:
But now? Nice and clear of snow:
Great Wall of China under perfect weather conditions:
Go For the Gold (route actually goes up the face to the right then into the perfect left facing diagonal crack) Still couldn't get that 10c crux into the crack this time. It'll go next time.
Better shot of the crux section. I love routes in the ORG that take gear as well as clips.
The next morning's sunrise above Bridgeport:
What makes climbing on the eastside the best place ever to climb: When you're done climbing, there's HOT SPRINGS!!!!!
Hot springs with killer views!!
Looking south towards Sawtooth:
Unbelievable sunset Sunday night:
Monday morning as the full moon falls below the ridgeline and day breaks:
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mrtropy
Trad climber
Nor Cal
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Feb 14, 2006 - 09:30pm PT
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Great shots. Travertine Hot Springs are some of my favorite. WEre you able to camp near the hot springs?
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Chaz
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Feb 14, 2006 - 09:31pm PT
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Damn fine photos, Mr F.
It isn't called The Range Of Light for nothing.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
on a rock or mountain out west
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 14, 2006 - 09:41pm PT
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Can't camp right next to the springs, the tribe has a ranger that comes up there early in the morning to make sure no one bivy's next to the springs overnight. Mainly to guard against people trashing the place, which was totally understandable. Was going to stay down at Hilltop but there was actually still snow going into the road there so Bridgeport was the call.
BUT, there's so many decent pullouts down below less than a quarter mile from the springs so it's no big deal. We all just soaked til late then moved our cars down the hill a bit.
Plus up there, you get a totally bizarro element of people showing up that you don't get down at Hilltop which can be highly entertaining (Hilltop was all Mammoth skibum refugees it seemed anyway).
I gotta say, one of hands down the most bizarre things I've seen in awhile happened while sitting in the springs Sunday afternoon at the top tub. These 2 big SUV's with Nevada plates roll in (sign #1 in those parts that something's gonnna go redneck), park right across from the springs, and get out. 2 families. And they're obviously not comfortable with a bunch of naked soaking climbers so they stay clothes on and hike around for awhile without getting in. Then they get out aluminum cans...and guns. Given, BB gun and a starter pistol but they set up their mini shooting range TWENTY F*#KING FEET from the tub!! So redneck dad tries to have his 6 year old spend the next hour shooting things and ruining everyone's mellow vibe. Best sight was the kid waving the gun all around with no concept of pointing it down or away from people. Even better when he took his BB gun and turned the barrel literally into his stomach while he reloaded it (the kid) and dad watched like it was nothing. Eventually we got out and moved to the lower tub and they got out their bleached out swimsuits and were able to soak like it was another day at Raging Waters Park (no joke, as we were walking away dad told the kid to take a cannonball into the tub...mom luckily said "no, I think it's too shallow. Some people really need to be banned from breeding).
That kid's gonna be dead of a gun accident before he's 10. Either that or pulls a Cheney and accidentally shoots dad. OR breaks his neck cannonballing into a 3 foot deep tub. Such tragic comedy.
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spyork
Trad climber
Fremont, CA
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Feb 14, 2006 - 10:15pm PT
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Nice pics! I havent been on the east side for many years.
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bulgingpuke
Trad climber
cayucos california
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Feb 14, 2006 - 11:59pm PT
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godamnit...your making me jealous again.
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Tahoe climber
Trad climber
Tahoe
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Feb 15, 2006 - 04:17pm PT
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Nice pics!
I'm heading that way in a couple of weeks - I miss the hot springs.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
on a rock or mountain out west
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2006 - 08:52pm PT
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T-Girl, you're SO close to natural hot spring country up there. All you need is to hop in the rig and head down to them. They're dotted all over the eastside, best ones are from Bridgeport to Mammoth. Definitely worth the drive to soak with such beautiful surroundings.
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