RRC Archives

All of the above can be bad. You never know where they'll end up. I've found it's best to cultivate an open attitude. If the crowd looks to be out of hand (hint: crowded parking lot) be prepared to go elsewhere, especially on weekends. The nice thing about the Red is how many options we have. I like Sore Heel area because you don't even have to get in the car to go to another wall.

Lander has a good point. I do agree that you can find solitude in the Red even on the worst weekends....you just may have to go off the beaten path a bit.

Muir parking lot was just packed. I think they had to overflow the overflow. But once we got into the valley, we only saw one or two other groups and had no problems getting on anything. Stopped by roadside on the way out, and it didn't seem too terrible either. Great weekend for climbing.

anywhere that has routes bolted by kipp.

anticlmber wrote:anywhere that has routes bolted by kipp.

North 40 was perfect this weekend, not another soul in sight, thanks for the bolts Kipp!

I climbed at Dip Wall and didn't see another person all day.

I would say roadside. Brus. Bros. has really easy moderates and easy 11's for those pushing the grade, anyone going there is expecting a gumby day. the Mother load has a bunch of egos and the social dynamics kinda reminds me of a middle school lunch room, but there are plenty of climbs for everyone to get on, just stay away from chainsaw. Roadside however, has gumbies of all ability, lines 5 deep on everything from 5.7 to 12a. The only escape from witnessing a groundfall is to climb hemisphere or Andromeda strain (though that would make for an ok day), sure streavles and wild gift are usually open but you will still hear the thud of bodies on the ground.

I witness more displays of chest beating ego and competitiveness at places with people just breaking into the 5.12 range (Roadside) than the Lode.

I agree, mostly kidding about the load. I never mind climbing there, but the crowd is what generally keeps me away.

I've always been a little intimidated at the motherlode. Lots of strong climbers and hard routes. For the last two months it is the only cliff I have gone to. What is cool is that you see the same people over and over and you start to remember each other and what projects people are working on. Recently I sent a project and half a dozen people were on ground cheering me on. That was cool, I thought.

Yesterday the whole undertow wall stopped to watch someone on their project that has been going on for a little while. Probably 20 people all looking up and cheering. Pretty cool, IMO. Unless you were hoping for solitude, then its your worst nightmare.