Sport climbing in May?

[Scimmia]

Hey everyone,
I live in northern California and I am planning on taking a trip out to the red. The first time my schedule lets me get out there is the week before memorial day. So end of May. My question is how are the temps, humidity, insects around that time. Is it worth going at the end of May or should i hold out for a winter trip? Thanks for your help!!

Brad

[toad857]

May is great. The only thing that will annoy you are the crowds. And temperature, humidity and insects are what climbing is all about... so no problem there. Have fun.

[Wonder1900]

I've been hitting the red in the last week of May for the past 4 years and I've yet to find anything to complain about. I can't ever go before because I have to wait for the college semester to end (yes, I have the best job in the world :-p ).

A lot of people will tell you late May is the tail end of the season there (people tell me this every year) but it's really no worse than climbing in June/July in my parts, and there are lots less bugs compared to where I live, way up North. Also, apart from memorial day weekend which will be very crowded, the week days should be less busy than in March/April or Sept./Oct.

[milspecmark]

Keep in mind that the bugs are worse this year becaus ewe had an unusually mild winter. I would not let the bugs hold me back though. A little 98% deet does the trick.

[Scimmia]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Looks like I will be heading out there end of may. Hopefully the week before Memorial Day and the long weekend. And plenty of deet I shall bring (mosquitoes love me).
If anyone has recommendation on some must climb routes in the 5.10-5.12b range (I'm sure there are tons), I would love to hear about them. It looks like there is so much out there I don't even know where to begin!

[Willy]

Drive By Crag is not to be missed for routes in that grade range or any range for that matter. Solarium at Miur is of my favorites. Military and Left Flank are also very popular walls. Those are good places to start but I wouldn't go anywhere near them on a busy weekend.

[pawilkes]

If you have a cool but sunny day head to eastern skybridge or funk rock city for lots of great, atypical (for the red) routes. Dave the Dude, the Infidel, prime Directive, Physical Grafeatie, and a bunch Others

[dustonian]

summer came already... maybe it will go away again. kinda burly in the sun.