I have my friend Kathrin to thank for introducing me to rock climbing. Even though she lived in Germany, from 1995-1997, she would write me virtually every other day about her adventures on rock — enough that I’d try it myself in 1998. From then on, I was hooked.
“If you come,” wrote Dave, my climbing buddy and former co-worker, “we can climb Snake Dike.”
Usually the mention of the word “dike” and a slithery vernom-spitting reptile would not tempt me away from a home-finding trip hundreds of miles away, but this was different. Half Dome is perhaps the most famous piece of granite in Yosemite Valley, if not the nation. I had summitted it once before in 1999, but only as a hiker. Or “tourist”, as some elitist rock climbers might condescendingly refer to them. Intrigued, I decided to look up more information about it.
“Dave,” I replied after doing so, “I some concerns about Snake Dike. It is 8 pitches, 5.7, and very run-out in many sections. It would make for a very challenging day…” Continue reading »
Just as I was really tiring of the drab desert scenery and was mentally ready to get the heck out of there, Tori and Chris saved me from the Southern Idaho doldrums by driving over from CA and inviting me to hang out with them for a day at the City of Rocks in Almo. What did we do most of the day? Climb some rocks, of course! Continue reading »
“Squamish: the Recreational Capital of Canada,” proclaimed a sign demarking the start of this area. Indeed, this is a famous place for rock climbing, and the Winter Olympics will even be held here in 2010. In addition to camping here overnight, I did a little bit of hiking and bouldering in Smoke Bluffs Park. Photos are here!
I went to Beacon Rock State Park to check out local rock about 25 miles west of Hood River, OR. Beacon Rock is located in the Columbia Gorge natural scenic area. It is actually in Washington State, right on the Oregon border. Beacon rock is a natural monolith that once formed the basaltic core of a volcano, which has been eroded away by the river. It is almost as large as Gibraltar. At the top is a commanding view of the surrounding gorge, the river, nearby waterfalls, and rugged cliffs. Continue reading »
“Smith Rock,” said Hunza, a rock climbing enthusiast from the Czech Republic before moving here 8 years ago, “”was THE premiere place for rock climbing in the world.” Indeed, my California friends were all raving about the rock, sending me messages that said things like they hope I move to Bend so they will “have an excuse to go to Smith Rock!” Continue reading »
 and 8 pitches of rock climbing up Snake Dike, all in one day. Dave at the top of Half Dome.&title=Half Dome, CA "18 miles of hiking (2 due to getting lost) and 8 pitches of rock climbing up Snake Dike, all in one day. Dave at the top of Half Dome.")
