Castle Rocks, ID

Castle Rocks Idaho
A desolate garden of rock that contradicts itself within its own boundaries. Far from any metropolis, the rules that govern this park vary in such strange ways one can only suspect a vindictive origin. A for-a-fee playground is fenced off to vehicles, sort of. Park and walk down the dirt road which is a light jaunt to the rocks.

Passing along beside a raw fenced with the bark still clinging to the trees. This is the climbing boundary and beyond it only ATVs and Mountain biking allowed. Herein lies the contradiction. For more info check out this article from Rock and Ice.

It was incredible to arrive at the rocks within what seemed like throwing distance from breathing the toxic air from the salt lake valley. 2.5 hours from SLC and the pollution was just out of reach! Ahh, lots of deep breaths.

There is nothing like walking to the crag in full winter wear then sitting by the rocks and feeling their solarium effect.

Ok, fine...I guess we'll climb.

Joe Meiners led the train in the taco cave.
Here is me doing Jared's v8, movie includes dance party follow-up captured by Jeff Richards.
Ronnie Jenkins completed Smell of Africa v11 first go after doing Out of Africa v10. If you've never been to the area, here is the guide!!
Courtesy of Mike McClure

Jared's Roof Photo by Jeremiah Watt

Next it was on to the green wall where the temps drop to freeze your toosh off temps. Or maybe loose a finger temps it's a toss up.

On the boulder just behind this one are two incredible lines. The one on the left side is called heart and cock and balls and Ronnie Jenkins made that one look like fun to climb as well!!
As for me, I had properly cooled down by this point and with frozed mitts came off the very top of pissy pants, twice!!! I'm going back for this wall next time.

Photo by Jeremiah Watt

totally frozen we headed home at dusk. Thankfully, Millies Diner was open on a Sunday. They made homemade shakes the size of your head, bacon cooked to order, there's an arcade...A little slice of Americana.

Yep, they have pie too.

Boys will be boys. Ken Etzel, Ronnie Jenkins, and Jeremiah doing what they do.

Escape Artists

Now, here's a little story I'd like to tell about escaping the winter....

Moe's Valley, St. George, UT

Everyone found a way to show some skin to the sun gods.

 

The pants had to go back on eventually...

 Jeff topping out Israil with a grin.

Then the sun went down and we hiked up to Escape Artist v13. Thankfully Jeff brought lights and Blake knew how to set them up :)

 Jeff on Escape Artist (v13)

 Jeff and Blake...why don't I have any photos of Land???

 My attempts on Escape Artist were futile as I tried super high feet and attempted campusing which doesn't really work. After Moe's Valley, we headed to Vegas where I had only climbed at the Kraft boulders one time.

 Here we are at Seek and Destroy (v10). The start is this dangle above an imminent carnage drop. But with this guy spotting you have unlimited courage.

Blake Hendrix making a perfect catch as Diana Jensen floats down.

Me doing the moves through to the crux of Seek and Destroy

 It almost looks like Blake is giving me a hug.

Matt Irving almost sending Seek and Destroy

Vegas is a trippy place. 

Third day on was full of shananagans. We must have spent an two hours on or in this boulder.

Jeff, Matt, and Diana

Diana opting to climb Jeff

Matt was supposed to be taking a photo of me with my camera. When I looked at it later, there were about 40 of these:

Jeff, Blake looking at me going "she has no idea what's happening here.", Diana, Matt, Land

My failed flip flop off-width ascent.

Three stack?

Silly guy.

I wanted to give this cactus a hug so bad. It completely made my day. It was almost the size of me. I love nature. There was a lot more trying than doing on this three day whirlwind trip. I also tried Lindner Roof, Americana Exotica, Scare Tactics and bunch of other things I don't know the name of. I'm looking forward to going back to Vegas. There is a lot to climb there!

We came to Rock

I had such a great time on this trip to Bishop, I can't even express it in words. It was a short trip and I was able to take advantage of every available second to climb as much as I could. The first day was a bit slow for me. I was still in the grad school exam mode and it was hard for me to wrap my mind around having the sole responsibility to have FUN! By the end of the day I was well in the zone an the climbing felt great. The peeps were the best. I'll just let the images tell the story.

I'm going to start an album of Jeff eating fried chicken on a stick. The drive to Bishop was a breeze.

Tyler working Xavier's Roof, v11

This is how one is supposed to spend a rest day.

This is how I spent my rest day. Too amped to stop.

Tyler looking Zen but really his tips were on FIRE from Gastonia, v8 in Dale's Camp.

My other album will be, "Men in trees". I have to say, tree down climbs are my favorite kind. This is Jeff after he flashed Boy Named Sue (he flashed pretty much everything...see video below).

Zen

Jill and Iris. An unstoppable pair of chicas.

Bishop: 5 Days, 4 Areas from Carrie Cooper on Vimeo.

Fair Game from Carrie Cooper on Vimeo.

Har Har

Will knock you on your ass.

Party people. You know who you are. This is like the surveillance tape at a gas station robbery.