Stoney Point take 9
New York: The Gunks
Stoney Point take 8
Echo Cliffs take 2
Tick Rock take 2
Malibu Creek
Stoney Point take 7
Stoney Point take 6
Tick Rock take 1
Stoney Point w/Joe
Echo Cliffs
Indoors at UCLA
Stoney Point take 4
Stoney Point take 3
Point Dume
Stoney Point take 2
Stoney Point take 1
Climbing at Mystery Science Theater
One of the smaller areas in the Santa Monica Mountains, a bit further north on 101 than the usual-- large, diverse, and popular-- hangouts such as Malibu Creek and Echo Cliffs.
Bill and I got shut down hard on High School Big Shot (5.7)-- the climb in the majority of these photos, up the left side of the arete (corner) because we were too stupid to figure out the start. Instead of using the arete, you climb slightly to the left and just keep going straight up. Sophia figured it out. Duh.
We also did Racket Girls (5.9), which again was a bit weird at the start, but a pretty good climb. First ascent is always ugly, second time looked good.
Then we fled the heat. We hoped arriving by 8am would mean a solid 4 hours of climbing, but as you can see from the pictures, it's fully exposed to the morning and afternoon sun. Oops. If we ever feel the need to come back, there's a 5.8 we need to do, two 5.10'as, and a three-star 5.10c that looks awesome.
For a short day of climbing, not too bad. Getting shut down on what is actually a very good 5.7 is embarassing. Carley had her first sport climbing (or was it her first outdoor?) experience on this trip, too! Given the superior climbing, both in routes and variety, as well as the venue itself, at Echo Cliffs, Malibu Creek, and other places, it's unlikely that we'll come back-- but it is nice to say we've been here.
Pics at the very end are for Viet's birthday at Midori Sushi in Van Nuys. Sorry, no other rock climbers present, just me!