As this is my first, humble TR... I'll try not to overdo it : )

Just thought I'd share the stoke, from an area that I never would have made it out to without the guideance of the climbing community.

I remember it like it was yesterday.. a 50+ y/o local I'd seen at Stoney Point a few times- keeping to himself as he slowly looped the Boulder 1 traverse, and practiced 'The Pump' with no pad. He kept a little 1x1 carpet square to clean the sand off his shoes and that was it.

After striking up a conversation, I said I was hoping to get some trad routes under my belt.

The Man said, 'Have you been to Tahquitz' ... Me- no, never heard of it. 'Oh It's great'. he said. What came next surprised me and I wouldn't forget it...

'I've been climbing in the Yosemite Valley for 25 years, and I still prefer the actual climbing moves and overall rock quality at tahquitz, to the valley'. Serious praise. I figured it was some form of Hyperbole. You heard of 'THE VAMPIRE'? he said... 'If you can work your way up to that, its one of the finest lines in all of California'. He mentioned it was 5.11, and noted he had been up it 'A couple of times' with a smile.

Either way I knew I had to visit.

Fast-forward two years, and probably a 24-rack of visits to this wonderful and storied crag... (maybe even a keg) and now it seemed second-nature to me. Find a partner, share the experience of bombproof granite, easy approaches, and beautiful and classic lines.

TUES:
Met a friend through the forums on MP. dude was looking to get his first leads in. I was glad to see how he would fare and come along for the ride.


After the usual jaunt down the 'friction descent' or as I like to think of it- the most loving and womanly fold of granite on all of Tahquitz... feeling confident in my new compadre's skills, he set off on Fingertrip.


As fate would have it, I ended up back a mere 36 hours later, to help another Tahquitz virign feel the sacred stone. The day a little less picturesque... the departure from LA a little less early...


being the freelancing, weekday-warriors that we are- we didn't see a single party. I always try to keep it quiet on the crag, as even the light clang of gear has a way of pissing off the town's dogs.

Ever thankful for another opportunity to gain fitness, experience, and memories... This crag is a place I'll always keep close to my heart.


phew. my first TR. keep the stoke alive! thank you SuperTopo for all the hype throughout the years.