Morning Climbing; Bottle Creek Meyers CA 6/23

Mid June I spent a night at the Lover's Leap Campground in Strawberry CA with my dad who was visiting from out of town.  Always a great experience camping around other climbers, the spot was awesome.  Tuesday we went first thing to the small crag known as Bottle Creek which is just outside Meyers up highway 50 a short ways.  I started the day by leading the gradual 5.6 crack seen below, though I goofed my cam placement as I managed to get my rope snagged under a protrusion of the crack.  I believe the mistake was that I did not place the pro on the climbers left where the climb was trending and I had thought the sling would help make up the difference.  Next I just top roped the steep 11 around the corner to the right which I'm told goes by the name Hot Fingers.  The beginning feels about v5 to me but the upper section comes much more easily and seems on par for 5.11.  I personally enjoy this spot for the ease of access and the range of climbs available.  I was disappointed another party showed up and claimed the 5.8 crack(s).

Personal Review of Area :  Rock/Climb Quality 6/10  -  Size 3/10  -  Accessibility 8/10

Public Information :  http://tinyurl.com/hybomuk

Approx. Location :  http://tinyurl.com/hrw6tfv

Contact Info @ Bottom of Page.

Evening Climbing; River Rock Verdi NV 6/9

Early June I paid another visit to River Rock west of Verdi NV with Amanda.  We were surprised to see a whole group of some dozen people there from a social gathering site called MeetUp.  Most of the popular routes were already being climbed with the exception of Spring Break, a 60FT 5.8 handcrack described as the best lead at River Rock.  I felt great climbing this route as the placements seemed secure and I did not get tired.  I had one long take near the top while I tried to find a sequence through the crack which would allow me to stand in the crack without putting my foot on my rope.  In the end I decided to lye back that section.

Personal Review of Area :  Rock/Climb Quality 5/10  -  Size 4/10  -  Accessibility 8/10

More Information Available @: http://tinyurl.com/z5lzdyh

Approx. Location :  http://tinyurl.com/jcg4yer

Contact Info @ Bottom of Page.

Afternoon Climbing; Basecamp Climbing Gym Reno NV Month of May

For the better part of May I found myself busy with college finals and work, my friends as well.  Sadly I did not climb outside in May but I did take the opportunity to practice leading and belaying with my lovely girlfriend at Basecamp Climbing Gym in downtown Reno.  The great part of this gym is the convenience and the clean new facilities, also the tall bouldering walls inside and generally great staff.  We climbed a variety from vB to 5.10- and we also sent the second pitch for a total of 165FT of climbing, the world's tallest man made climbing wall.  The best part was leading the 70FT 5.9 clean and belaying Amanda up to me without ever hearing the call for take.  Very impressive for someone so new to climbing.

Public Information :  http://tinyurl.com/j7oc65k

Approx. Location :  http://tinyurl.com/jelyzmu

Contact Info @ Bottom of Page.