Yes, we did have a great time at the Gorge; loved the scenery, climbs, Bishop, and even the history in the various ruins scattered in the Gorge. I didn't mind the star rating; but having done a few guides myself, I know they can sometimes be controversial (especially, if your own routes gets one star!). When you only have six days of climbing and over 600 routes to choose from, they at least give you some direction. By the way, we're jealous - I'd love to live 10 minutes from the Gorge (and all the other great climbing in the area). I took a picture of Mount Whitney on the way home, and was salivating over the Keeler Needle.,
"Delicate Mechanism" is my favorite climb there! I had a two day guided tour from the Chief, and this climb was one of the highlights. Do you remember the fingerlock at the end? (a little scary because it's a little too snug :D).
Yes, I did like this climb as well; like I said, it had a bit of everything. But my wife really didn't like the sketchy traverse under the big roof. All I remember about the end of the climb was the cool dihedral climbing - love that! Did you guys do any of the other classics at the Dihedrals (e.g. Chossman, ORGasm, Pumping the Slots, etc.)?
Some friends just got a $17k SAR bill for an accident where a person fractured three ribs and 3 cervical vertebrae -- and this is in Vegas where they supposedly don't charge for SAR. In tough economic times, SAR is starting to bill.
That's exactly the type of horror story I was thinking about. Luckily, I have no need for a rescue or hospital; but it could have been different. I'd be interest to know if there was travel insurance that covered high risk sports. Everything we looked into (including our fancy VISA card), explicitly exempts climbing, scuba diving, etc.
It ended up that they had to pay just a small deductible -- had specifically gotten insurance to cover this kind of activity. I'll ask more about the specifics.
I always like TR's that show a little more of an experience than just climbing...in this case, the motel ad, the basking lizard...Great stuff as usual Aaron. It DOES make me want to go back there next spring for more than a day :) Also, glad you're alright after your fall.
Thanks! My trip reports are formost for my friends and family; most of who don't give a rat's ass about climbing, so I do try to talk about all aspects of the trip - not just the climbing. Whenever my mom sees a rock climbing photo, she basically has the same reaction - "Hmmmm, nice photo honey; whose bum is that?"
Thanks for the kind words! Hinton sometimes gets a bad rap, mainly because it has resource based economy as well as a tourism based economy: but we really like it here. You can do things here that you can't do in the Park, yet the Park gates are only 15 minutes away.
AJones - May 23, 2010 1:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Ahhhhhhhhhh....Yes, we did have a great time at the Gorge; loved the scenery, climbs, Bishop, and even the history in the various ruins scattered in the Gorge. I didn't mind the star rating; but having done a few guides myself, I know they can sometimes be controversial (especially, if your own routes gets one star!). When you only have six days of climbing and over 600 routes to choose from, they at least give you some direction. By the way, we're jealous - I'd love to live 10 minutes from the Gorge (and all the other great climbing in the area). I took a picture of Mount Whitney on the way home, and was salivating over the Keeler Needle.,
mvs - May 25, 2010 8:19 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Ahhhhhhhhhh...."Delicate Mechanism" is my favorite climb there! I had a two day guided tour from the Chief, and this climb was one of the highlights. Do you remember the fingerlock at the end? (a little scary because it's a little too snug :D).
AJones - May 25, 2010 12:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Ahhhhhhhhhh....Yes, I did like this climb as well; like I said, it had a bit of everything. But my wife really didn't like the sketchy traverse under the big roof. All I remember about the end of the climb was the cool dihedral climbing - love that! Did you guys do any of the other classics at the Dihedrals (e.g. Chossman, ORGasm, Pumping the Slots, etc.)?
MoapaPk - May 24, 2010 1:31 pm - Voted 10/10
glad you are OKSome friends just got a $17k SAR bill for an accident where a person fractured three ribs and 3 cervical vertebrae -- and this is in Vegas where they supposedly don't charge for SAR. In tough economic times, SAR is starting to bill.
AJones - May 24, 2010 2:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: glad you are OKThat's exactly the type of horror story I was thinking about. Luckily, I have no need for a rescue or hospital; but it could have been different. I'd be interest to know if there was travel insurance that covered high risk sports. Everything we looked into (including our fancy VISA card), explicitly exempts climbing, scuba diving, etc.
MoapaPk - May 24, 2010 2:12 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: glad you are OKIt ended up that they had to pay just a small deductible -- had specifically gotten insurance to cover this kind of activity. I'll ask more about the specifics.
AJones - May 25, 2010 4:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: glad you are OKThanks, I'd like to hear about this specific insurance.
AJones - May 25, 2010 12:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: thanks, man!!!Yep, I think its worth the trip. Also, there is lots of other climbing in the area, including the world-famous Buttermilk Boulders.
rpc - May 25, 2010 2:04 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice!I always like TR's that show a little more of an experience than just climbing...in this case, the motel ad, the basking lizard...Great stuff as usual Aaron. It DOES make me want to go back there next spring for more than a day :) Also, glad you're alright after your fall.
AJones - May 25, 2010 3:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice!Thanks! My trip reports are formost for my friends and family; most of who don't give a rat's ass about climbing, so I do try to talk about all aspects of the trip - not just the climbing. Whenever my mom sees a rock climbing photo, she basically has the same reaction - "Hmmmm, nice photo honey; whose bum is that?"
Saintgrizzly - May 26, 2010 4:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Very nice read...!A writing to savor, pictures to enjoy...good job! (We've always stayed in Hinton when exploring Jasper N.P.—nice town, nice area!)
AJones - May 26, 2010 5:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Very nice read...!Thanks for the kind words! Hinton sometimes gets a bad rap, mainly because it has resource based economy as well as a tourism based economy: but we really like it here. You can do things here that you can't do in the Park, yet the Park gates are only 15 minutes away.