Full Day Climbing; Black Wall Donner CA 1/25

Late January on a Sunday Afternoon I took a day trip out to Black Wall in Donner CA with friend and climbing partner Greg Cooper of Reno NV.  We ended up climbing One Hand Clapping later that day with Greg on lead and myself picking up some beta on placements and hand jams.  We reached the Lizard Belay Ledge and I choose to lead the final pitch, 5.7.  I recognize this climb as my first trad lead ever simply because the mental aspect was much greater than any 5.6/5.7 I've lead before as a single stand alone pitch.  Grunting my way up overhanging 5.9 hand cracks and finger crack faces had left me feeling tired, then there's the 12hr graveyard shift I pulled the night before...  This was my first day at the Black Wall and it did not disappoint.  I can not presume to grade such an area after such a small sample of the total available climbing and my own experience, but for the sake of interest...

Rock/Climb Quality :  9/10  Size :  8/10  Accessibility :  9/10

More Information Avaliable @:  http://www.mountainproject.com/v/black-wall/105734552

Exploration; Owl Rock (South) Reno NV 1/23

Mid January, on a Friday afternoon I made a solo visit to Owl Rock in South Reno to have a closer look at a TR bolted slab line I had seen on my hike back to the car previously but did not have the time to climb.  This line is along the West facing side of the formation on the obvious gradual 5.6 slab, the bolts are standard Petzl 1/2'' diameter bolts as seen in the first photo below.  I used a self belay set up with the Gri Gri 2 and lowered down cleaning off holds, next I climbed the line once at the bottom.  Approx. 50FT tall this line offers a beautiful view of Reno.  I recommend bringing slings to extend the anchors for edge protection purposes.

More Info Available @:  http://www.mountainproject.com/v/owl-rock/106307303

Afternoon Climbing; Floriston Boulders Floriston NV 1/17

Mid January I made an afternoon visit to the Floriston Boulders with an animated friend who had developed most of the lines, Eric Austin of Truckee CA.  This makes for a great session if you are strapped for time and not interested in driving too far. This area is composed of a small concentration of lowball granite basalt boulders with a mix of crumbling blocky choss.  The problems cover approximately the whole range of difficulty, though some are contrived. Landings are great. Some problems border on private property so respect and common sense apply.


Rock/Climb Quality :  3/10  Size :  2/10  Accessibility :  10/10
More Info Available @: BookOfBoulders.com

Afternoon Climbing; River Rock Verdi NV 1/11

We had a great time sending On Safari, 5.6 Trad Arrete (65ft) at River Rock yesterday.  This was an excellent line for the two of us as Amanda is still familiarizing herself with the process of giving a lead belay and I had the opportunity to place a couple pieces of pro near the top where the route becomes run out.  The rock at River Rock is all granite though a little gritty and rough at times than most of what you see in Tahoe.  The approach is quick, there is a decent variety from 5.6 to 11-, probably about one dozen lines sharing half a dozen sets of anchors, mostly crack climbing not much sport.  A fun place to break in or escape Reno for an afternoon without making a far drive.

Rock/Climb Quality :  5/10  Size : 4 /10  Accessibility :  8/10

More Information Available @:  http://www.mountainproject.com/v/river-rock/106316311

1st Entry, Founding of FosterVertical Blog

My name is Kyle Foster and I started this blog today, January 2015, for the purpose of documenting the climbs and adventures of my friends and I over the next several years and on...  Today I will be making a visit to River Rock outside of Verdi NV in order to practice some entry level trad climbing and familiarize myself with gear placement.  Making this 1/2day session with me will be my lovely girl friend Amanda Mac, Graduate of UNR, Renown Patient Access Representative, and amateur dancer/climber.