What ever became of Christmas Tree Pass?

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Todd Gordon

Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
Sep 3, 2009 - 02:20am PT
andrewsolow

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Sep 22, 2009 - 02:38am PT
The most current online information about Christmas Tree Pass can be found at: http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/Nevada/Southern_Nevada/Christmas_Tree_Pass/

It seems that John Gonzalez has published a more recent Christmas Tree Pass climbing guide. And, he is about to publish an update. You can Email him at: rcsjohnxscma@earthlink.net

If you want to get in touch with people who climb at Christmas Tree Pass regularly, you can contact me at: asolow@mindspring.com or on my cell at 415-722-3047.

Andrew Solow, San Francisco, CA

andrewsolow

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Sep 22, 2009 - 04:00am PT
Regarding URMAS, August 31, 2009

Actually, they didn't break into our vehicle. They stole our tent and two sleeping bags. We left the tent set up near our truck while we were out climbing all day and it was gone when we came back.

I guess we're all staying in hotels and driving Lexus vehicles these days. Things were alot simpler when I was only 23 years old. Andy Solow
andrewsolow

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Sep 22, 2009 - 04:16am PT
Anyone like bottomless chimneys? See: http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/Nevada/Southern_Nevada/Christmas_Tree_Pass/Chimney_Crag/







Andy Solow
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 22, 2009 - 10:16pm PT
Welcome Andy!

How did you hear about CTP?
andrewsolow

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Sep 28, 2009 - 05:30am PT
Hello Steve, et al,

Dick Richardson and I read about Christmas Tree Pass in Climbing Magazine and then asked around.

We were looking for places where no one else was climbing - no attitude, just climbing.

Anyone who says they know what Christmas Tree Pass is like because they drove by or walked around in a creek bed for a few minutes is full of crap. CTP is so big that it would take several full days of walking without climbing anything just to explore the place.

Most climbs are two or three pitches. The biggest formation we found is about four rope lengths - 4 or 5 ptiches. But, we never completely explored the place and just don't know what else is out there.

The quality of the Quartz Monzonite varies considerably from one formation to the next. The rock is at least as abrasive as Joshua Tree. Rugby shirts, sweaters, long pants, and benzaline & tape will help minimize abrasion damage from both climbing and falling.

Some of the old 1/4" x 1 1/8" bolts have been replaced and bolt replacement activity at CTP is ongoing.

Frankly, the younger folks should add additional bolts to Richardson's longest runouts. Falling on some of Richardson's leads could be fatal, particularly on 30 year old, 1/4", carbon steel bolts. Bring bolt replacement tools.

John Gonzalez: rcsjohnxscma@earthlink.net is putting together a 2nd version of his CTP guidebook, and would appreciate any information anyone might have.

Andy Solow
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 26, 2009 - 02:44pm PT
How did the place gets its name? Anyone know the history?
KP Ariza

climber
SCC
Dec 26, 2009 - 03:14pm PT
Andrew, we never met but Dick (Skippy) was a good friend and long time climbing partner of mine before he passed. He had very fond memories of CTP and many good things to say about you and the climbs you two did together. Good to hear about CTP again from your viewpoint. Skip was way ahead of his time as far as drilling on unclimbed slabs (in EB's no less) and I think it would be a shame for anyone to take it upon themselves to ad bolts to his existing routes. There has got to be plenty of room out there yet for new routes to be done huh? Its just my opinion and I think he surely would agree.

Ken Ariza
truclimber

Trad climber
Nevada
Dec 26, 2009 - 03:21pm PT
YEah It is totally that time of the year.

Gary

climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Dec 26, 2009 - 11:27pm PT
There's a lot of room for new routes.

The climbs put up by Andy Solow, Dick Richardson, Lynn Robison, Joe Hancock, and others are incredibly ballsy. The best thing I can say about my climbing career is that I've managed to lead some of those pitches.

Dali Dome has had almost all the old bolts replaced. Wilkinson Sword has to be one of the best 5.6 climbs on the planet. Really.

The Man has never been a problem in my 10+ trips out there. You just can't camp within a half-mile of the road. Dali Dome makes a nice base camp.

I love the place: climbs, diamondbacks, big horn and petroglyphs! Oh, and acacia.
Minerals

Social climber
The Deli
Apr 23, 2010 - 02:45pm PT
Bump for the Searchlight pluton and continued climbing access!!!

Maybe this thread should now be titled… “What will become of Christmas Tree Pass”…

Gary, you may have spoken too soon.
spenchur

climber
Flagstaff/Thousand Oaks
Mar 4, 2013 - 11:39am PT
Ancient thread bump for some cool history and geology!

Just spent a couple days hanging out in different parts of the Searchlight Pluton for a petrology course at NAU. We spent the night in Christmas Tree Pass and a whole day checking out the geology of the area. I WANT TO GET BACK THERE!
Brian in SLC

Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 4, 2013 - 12:00pm PT
Climbed out there a couple years ago over Christmas (oddly enough)...

Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 7, 2013 - 01:44pm PT
So any movement on bolt removal by the authorities here now that policy has been set?
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 25, 2013 - 03:03pm PT
Christmas Update Bump...
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Dec 25, 2013 - 03:16pm PT
Is this the Spirit of Christmas Tree Pass Past moving in you, Steve?

Nice bumps today, my friend, like small outcrops clustered together in the high desert.
Klimmer

Mountain climber
Dec 25, 2013 - 05:39pm PT
Haven't been there. I like quiet great climbing areas not overrun. Very nice. Think I'll go sometime. :)
soaring_bird

Trad climber
Oregon
Dec 25, 2013 - 06:08pm PT
Only been there twice. Many climbs do feel spicy and the place is free of crowds. I am surprised at the lack of development and popularity. The grainy rock is a lot like the Wild Granites, located further northwest near Austin, Nevada. The routes at Christmas Tree are shorter and the approaches are easier than the WG approaches, however. The Wild Granites could be discussed in a separate thread of their own.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Dec 25, 2013 - 06:18pm PT
The climbing there truly SUCKS!
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Dec 25, 2013 - 07:38pm PT

This photo was actually taken AT christmas tree pass!
Messages 41 - 60 of total 73 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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