Weekend Climbing; Lover's Leap Strawberry CA 7/25/15

Late July I spent the weekend at Lover's Leap climbing and camping with Amanda.  We got in Friday night 7/24 and woke up early Saturday to climb the Knapsack Crack on the Hog's Back formation.  This Class V Alpine Climb with some 5.6 hand jams was a great first multi pitch to introduce Amanda to but also for myself to practice building anchors and placing nuts.  The climb was 300FT and we did it in just two pitches with a 70M rope.  We also choose to use radios for communication which really helped when we were separated by over 200FT from the top of the first pitch all the way to the top of the formation.  We plan to return to climb a sustained 5.6 crack and build on our multi pitch experience.  I would highly recommend this climb to anyone looking to learn trad with a basic knowledge of anchors and rope management.

Personal Review of Area :  Rock/Climb Quality 10/10  -  Size 10/10  -  Accessibility 9/10

Public Information :  http://tinyurl.com/h3cswo9

Approx. Location :  http://tinyurl.com/h3nljrf

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Full Day Trip; Zephyr Boulders Zephyr Cove CA 7/11/15

Early July I took part in a group day trip to the Zephyr Boulders outside South Lake Tahoe with the always joyful Amanda Mac, as well as Dan Mayes of Stead, NV, and Johnny Crandall of Carson City, NV.  We spent the day at the area referred to as Mecca in the new Dave Hatchett book(s).  There were several other parties out there that day and between young women sending v4 and other climbers topping out highballs the excitement level was very high.  I can't say that we sent hard, but we certainly had a lot of fun.  This vB slab arete was my favorite climb of the day simply for aesthetic purposes and the amount of shade.

Personal Review of Area :  Rock/Climb Quality 6/10  -  Size 4/10  -  Accessibility :  6/10

Public Information :  http://tinyurl.com/jnr7cbq

Approx. Location :  http://tinyurl.com/zyb9m6q

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Full Day Trip; Spooner Crag Spooner Lake NV 7/3/15

Early July I choose to kick off the weekend with another trip to Spooner Crag atop Highway 50 with my lovely girlfriend Amanda Mac, and a new friend from Basecamp Climbing Gym, Zach Ross of Reno, NV.  We first climbed the 5.7 crack Maxwell's Hammer which I soon realized does not take nuts, the crack at the top is flared at times and definately only accepts size 1" to 2" pro, so the top was just a solo for me, not recommended.  The real climbing of the day was up Pocket Pool, a short 5.10+ overhanging hueco/jug haul up a pocketed volcanic boulder.  The highlight of the climb for me was the no hands knee bar rest halfway up before the 3rd bolt.  I'd never done a knee bar before but I have to say this was stress free and pain free despite my assumptions.  Below can be seen myself reaching the anchors, Zach feeling out the holds at the 3rd bolt, and Amanda doing a high gaston on an incut juggy flake while her right foot is back stepped and flagged.  This may or may not have added a grade of difficulty to this section.

Personal Review of Area :  Rock/Climb Quality 7/10  -  Size 4/10  -  Accessibility 9/10

Public Information :  http://tinyurl.com/jqtbknt
Approx. Location :  http://tinyurl.com/hcyag6v
Contact Info @ Bottom of Page.