UKC

Someone once described the bouldering around Bishop as 'better than Hueco or Font even'

Mick Ryan gives us the definitive destination article to bouldering on California's Eastern Sierra.

Read more at http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=3012

In reply to UKC Articles:

If you need a pad, Tom Wood replies at Supertopo.com

I moved here PM (post Mick) but I've heard many a tale. That is a very thorough article, I must say.

We'll blame the crowds this winter on him. Of course everybody already does, ha ha. If we see a bunch of visiting brits this year, we'll know why. And hopefully share a pint or two with them.

Actually there are some Brits out there who gave me a boulder pad when they left the country because they couldn't take it on the plane. I still have it. If you guys are out there and coming back- let me know. Stop in at the Black Sheep and ask if anyone knows where Tom is. I can lend it out to your friends too.

My real question- where are these areas? Are they names for places I know? Or are they places I haven't been? Deep in the White Mountains, Pinyon Boulders, Gray Rim Boulders, Royston Vasey they sound intriguing.

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1284056/UKC-ARTICLE-Bishop-Boulderi...

In reply to UKC Articles:

Great article - great pix - great links. Looks like a fantastic place!

In reply to UKC Articles:

Just a heads-up for anyone driving from LA to Bishop. Due to California's (now seemingly perennial) budget crisis, the Inyo and Mono county sheriffs view drivers on the 395 as a great revenue stream, and there are speed traps everywhere. This is particularly bad on Friday and Sunday evenings during the ski season, and on holiday weekends. Be especially careful on the approach and exit from the towns, and don't go too far over 75 no matter how quiet the road is.

If you get pulled over, with a UK license you 'may' get away with it as being not worth the hassle, but a speeding ticket now cashes in at a $400 minimum and I understand that it's getting easier for the authorities to claim the fine from your car rental company (who will, of course, expect to claim it from your credit card).

The article is spot on! It's paradise. I lived in Sacramento in the 90s, and almost every weekend I'd drive up to Tahoe, and thrash down highway 395 counting off the 8000 foot passes all the way to Benton Crossing where we'd camp out in the middle of the valley right next to a hot spring!

I remember endless sunshine, perfect rock, HUUUUUUUGE views, clean air. Bouldering, cragging, hiking, biking, skiing, you could do everything in the Bishop area.

My best memory is sitting in the Crab Cooker hot tub right in the middle of the desert in the December snow, looking up at Comet Hale Bopp after a day at The Gorge. Best days of my life!

The Natalie Merchant song I used to listen to a lot at the time:

These are days you'll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it, you'll know it's true
That you are blessed and lucky
It's true, that you are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

Oh and Hi Mick! I bumped into you a couple of times. I'm the chap who did the Eastern Sierra Double Century bike ride Bishop to Lee Vining and back.

In reply to UKC Articles:

Great article and I fully agree that it's worth the trip from europe, also for non-mutants. The alpine scenery of the buttermilks area is really amazing and only comparable to castle hill in new-zealand imho. Should go back soon!

In reply to UKC Articles:

Probably the best article ever on here.

Mick

In reply to Mick Ryan - Senior Editor - UKC:

I'm off to Bishop in 4 weeks time for a few weeks fun. This article has reminded me how good the place is

In reply to UKC Articles: Hi Mr Ryan

I was lounging around in Vegas Casino on thursday wondering where I should go next. Then I logged on and saw the Bishop piece. Just spent three days at teh Happy's, Buttermilks and Sad boulders. Great time. My arms and fingers are now fooooked.

I did one problem forgotten the name Flying Boy? V5? Awesome, there of course were others, but that one stands out.

A great article, and one I called upon to get me to many of the crags.

Thanks again.

BTW The Pit os closed until the beginning of Nov.

In reply to Mark Reeves:


Was at Bishops just a few days ago. Nice place, Buttermilks particularly awesome.

The article failed to mention that you can rent bouldering mats at Eastside Sports at $10 per day. Also, still some rattle snakes around at this time of the year at Happy/Sad areas.

In reply to UKC Articles:

Impresive article, loads of useful info, keen to get out there last week november first week december, just wondering if it`s worth taking my own bouldering mat over ! really looking foreward now, i`ll be travelling alone i guess if anyone`s interested in going over at that time it would be great to meet up

mills.

Nice one Mick!
We miss you over here. Well, errr, some of us do.

cheers,
Bob

In reply to SARS:

Thanks SARS. It is in there, but I will make it more obvious.

In reply to Mick Ryan - Senior Editor - UKC:

Credit where it's due Mick - that's a very nice article.

Thanks

john