Rest Day and Clark Canyon

So after almost a week off climbing, Javier and I decided to take almost a full day off of climbing. (I ended up doing two easy routes to say I climbed in the area we went). So after climbing hard the past few days, we had a conversation with our camp neighbors, Paul, John, and Daisy, and all decided to head up to Clark Canyon this past Saturday due to the heat in Bishop. The forecast in the higher elevation was going to be in the low 70s, so we opted to head to Clark Canyon, a small climbing area about 10 miles away from Mammoth, Ca. On our way up, we ran into a Deer crossing and we were able to get a few good shots of the deers and another set of close up shots later on. It was a nice sight to see, reminded me of watching Bambi as a little kid haha.

So most of the day I kept my self wrapped up in Paul's hammock, which was very very comfortable. I was able to dose off a here and there and just enjoyed watching everyone else climb. Javier also took a break from climbing and did one easy route. He spent most of the day relaxing in the shade, reading his magazines (Seventeen and some other girl magazine...jk). He also took some really nice photos of mountains and random trees.

At the end of the day we headed down to Mammoth Brewery to enjoy some of the free beer tasting then for the free hot springs! It was a pretty big cock fest there but still fun. We met a group of French guys doing a snowboarding and surfing trip in the US. Really coo guys and had some good conversations with them.

Phu Pham advice "Caption before the photos" So here is a change for once.

Deer Crossing

Bambi!

Burrito Jan

Climbed so hard I made a booboo on my wrist

Javier reading "Seventeen"

Mammoth Mountains

Branch!

Hike back out to the car

Our only photo together

Hike to the hot springs

Cock fest and Javier nakie :/

The HULK

Sorry I couldn't update the night prior. We were way to tired to do any more blogging.

So after my last blog at Starbucks, Javier and I drove back to camp. The minute we drive into our camp site, Austin and Emily (awesome climbers/people) invited us for a group of night time bouldering. There was probably 10 of us that headed to the Happies around 10pm at night. It was such an amazing time spending the night with our new neighbors and friends. I actually didn't expect to climb anything hard because Javier and I were actually ready to knock out when we drove into camp after doing Disco Inferno, the traverse over Eldorado Roof. Well and behold Javier and I both sent the "Hulk", a bishop classic V6. We both sent it our 3rd try and actually Javier's first V6 ever! And actually my first V6 too, but I've already sent a V7 haha. We got some awesome night time shots of the climb. I actually got the send right around midnight, which was pretty cool. We stayed at the Happies till around 1pm then knocked out.

The following day, we decided to take a rest/chill day. We drove into town, did some shopping, and finally took a shower after a few days. That felt refreshing actually, but didn't last long cause we got sweaty and dirty a few hours later. After some lunch, we headed to the park to take a nap under the trees, take a nap, and just rest our hands and finger tips. About an hour later Paul and John (other camp neighbors) showed up and set up a slack line. I've tried slack lining before and always failed miserably. I made it my goal that time to at least make a few steps and I did! I was able to walk down half way and accomplished my goal for the day. After our slack lining adventure, Paul and John invited us to climb at the Sads. Even though it was suppose to be rest day we ended up going. It's so hard to turn down great climbing here in Bishop. The trip ended up being another night time climbing and Javier sending a V4 and a V5. I only did a V1 because I hurt my wrist the night prior and really wanted to keep it a rest day. Later that night Javier and I enjoyed a nice chili and salsa dinner :)

So today Javier and I decided to climb at the Gorge again. We did a few fun climbs. I topped roped the first 3 climbs to test out my wrist and it only hurt a certain way. I was able to send a 4/5 star 5.11b. Thanks to Javier for putting up the draws for me :). After that climb we took a lunch break and did some swimming in the Gorge. Javier was able to get a classic shot of me flipping my head back and getting the water shot of it following. After that, we did some more classic climbs that I can't remember at the moment and actually to lazy to look up and list. Well Starbucks is about to close again so until next time.

The group

Warming up

Javier sending the "Hulk"

Me making it into the crux move.

Me sending the Hulk

Chili for Dinner

Rest Day at the park

Slack lining with our camp neighbors

Night bouldering

Javier sending some V4

Javier hiking down into the gorge

A much needed rinse in the Gorge in FREEZING water

No Comment :)

Eldorado Roof

Evening everyone. I'm am DEAD BEAT! So a rewind to last night after my previous blog. Javier and I went back to base camp after using the free WiFi at Starbucks. Just at the moment we were about to head to bed, just hanging out under the stars, two other climbers/campers approached us and invited us to a bon-fire gathering. Off course we couldn't turn that down, so we brought a few beers with us and enjoyed great conversation around the pit. A few of the guys that were there have been camping in the Pit for 4 weeks, some 3 weeks, and others a little shorter. Everyone was from all walks of life, bust most of them were pretty dedicated climbers/hitch hikers. Some of them were pretty much jobless, taking a break from school and traveling for weeks/months climbing from one spot to another. Some of them have been living out of their VW Westfalia for a while just traveling the country to climb. Something that I hope to do one day.

So today Javier and I got a late start after staying up a little later then what we wanted to, d/t the bon fire thing we attended the night prior. We had a goal to do this 5.11a traverse over a giant cave called "Eldorado Roof" (pictures below). Usually I can onsight 5.11a but this traverse freaked me out and I ended up almost going bolt to bolt. Pretty scary stuff climbing sideways and not the usually UP. All said and down Javier and I did 2 pitches of the 3 pitch climb because we thought the last part didn't look as fun. The day ended up really long but we only were able to do a few climbs. By the end of the day, we both got pretty beat/dead tired. I included photos of the downhill descent you have to do to get into the climbing areas and also a photo from the bottom looking up. The photos don't do it justice, but its a pretty steep hike up and down. Until next time. In Phu Pham's words "Smell ya later"

Photo from yesterday morning using my Iphone

Bathing in the River :)

The down hill descent down to the Gorge. STEEP!

Javier hiking towards "Eldorado Roof"

Eldorado Roof. Red Line shows the climb we did going across

What you could barely see is me climbing. Red arrow pointing at me.

A closer look

Me at the hangers after Pitch 1 of our climb

Javier flexing the muscles he doesn't really have haha

Javier and I

Javier and I again with the River below us

Me rappelling down the route

The heinous hike back up to the car

DEAD TIRED



THE END

The Pit

So Javier and I arrived in Bishop last night and ended up camping out at "The Pit". Cost is $2 a night/vehicle. We got there around 9pm so it was already pitch black. What we thought was a "sweet spot" was actually right smack in the middle of the campground. When we woke up in the morning, we noticed all the other campers found spots by the walls, which probably helped with the wind, better shade, and a little more privacy. Pretty much FAIL but I think it is still a good spot. I included a photo of the campsite below.

After pitching our tent in the middle of the night and not knowing what the views were, we both woke up to amazing backdrop of snow covered mountains. We couldn't enjoy the views to much because we wanted to get breakfast out of the way, pack lunch, and get ready for our first day of climbing. For those interested/climbers we did all 4/5 start routes for the day. First was a 2 pitch climb "Don't look up 10b****", 2nd climb was "Members only 5.10d*****", 3rd was "Blood sugar sex magik 5.10d*****" then the last climb we did was a 5 start 12a called "Thieves in the Temple". We lead all the climbs except the last one. Well I actually lead half the pitch and once I got to the crux I stick clipped my way up :).

Overall our first day of climbing was great. We had awesome sandwiches for lunch with various snacks. We both were able to wash up in Owens River also, which goes right through the gorge. Man that water was FREEZING though..Well Starbucks is about to close so this ends my 2nd blog for this trip. Hopefully you guys can expect more photos and an awesome video at the end.

The long desert drive to Bishop.

The Pinoy and the Mexican

Fresh Jerky anyone?

The "Pit"

Random building in the Gorge

Anchored in

Lunch Break