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It’s nice to have a local crag
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Play day at Big Chief
We’re exhausted from moving ourselves and prepping the new Reno Collective location, and we feel the need for a play day. It starts off a little chilly, feeling like a fall day despite the nice patch of mountain pride blooming along the approach trail. Mike joins us with both his son and his dad, so…
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Big Chief South Buttress
Ann and I meet Wes in Truckee, hoping for cooler temperatures at Big Chief. It’s just about right, even climbing in the sun. The blooming bitterbrush smells like cinnamon and a breeze ruffles the ponderosas. Climbing season is definitely open! Dylan on community service Ann climbs 7-11 Burrito Wes climbs Slurpee Headache Routes: Community Service…
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Phantom Spires Thrash
Most of our first trip to the Phantom Spires is spent thrashing through the steep underbrush between crags, exploring the area and climbing a few routes before we return to our campsite. It’s a great place, but surprisingly already pretty hot. Luckily there’s always a few routes in the shade. Phantom Spires Camp Phantom Spires…
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A quiet Owen’s River Gorge weekend
It’s almost spooky how few people are climbing in the gorge this weekend. We do meet a nice couple taking some time off before starting grad school, and there are others, but not the crowds we were ready for. It’s warm, nice for tent camping and overall unwinding in addition to endless sport climbing. Although…
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Easter climbing at Owen’s River Gorge
Luckily for Wes, Ann, and I the weather forecasts were fabulously wrong and we enjoy a weekend full of warm sunny sport climbing at Owen’s River gorge. It’s been ten years since I’ve climbed here, but it feels great to kick off the season with some of my old favorites. Memory is not perfect, though,…
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We start the outdoor climbing season at River Rock
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Lassen Peak Tour
I’ve been wanting to experience Lassen Volcanic National Park in the winter ever since I hiked through in the summer of ’96 on the Pacific Crest Trail. It does not disappoint – it’s a spectacular place when snowbound. We start by discovering that the fresh water tank in our camper no longer holds water. When…
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Coon basin exploration
The terrain east of Castle peak has always intrigued me with its ruggedness and complexity. Today I join Gabe, Mike, and Kim to explore and ski some of it. The snowmobile access ensures that there are plenty of visitors, but the featured landscape hides plenty of treats for everyone. Our timing is fortunate and we…
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Tule peak success