Here Come the Rookies
I talked a few buddies of mine from work, Kris and Steve (aka Moody) into going climbing for the weekend at Joshua Tree. Neither had been to JT before and neither had climbed before. Moody went with me to Stonewall Peak and got on the hot end of a TR for a few minutes, but that was the extent of his experience.
Friday Night, we all met at my place a little after 6 PM so we could pile into 1 car and drive up to JT. Michael D. was heading up earlier in the day with Yvonne and Sierra to secure some camp sites (Thanks!). The drive was pretty interesting. First, it took us about 1 hour to get to the 215. Traffic on the 91 was terrible. Once we got on the 215 we headed down the 10 and looked for some food. We ended up stopping for some Del Taco in a small town ( I can't remember which one) and observed the locals acting strangely. After a quick stop at the gas station, we were back on the 10. It was WINDY!!!!. We were dodging tumbleweeds left and right. It was actually pretty fun. Finally about 9:00 we got to entrance of JT. The roads had changed since the last time I was there so it took me a minute to find the message board at Hidden Valley where Michael was leaving us a message as to where he was camping. It was Ryan, which is where I almost always stay.
We met up with Michael, Yvonne, and Sierra and started a camp fire. Kris and Moody setup camp and I threw my bag down by the fire. All week long I kept telling them it was going to be cold. I don't think they realized it until that night. Both of them FROZE! Kris woke me up about 3 AM to get the keys to the car so he could finally get some sleep in a warmer location.
The next morning we woke up and ate some warm breakfast which I am sure made Moody and Kris feel better. Soon the sun rose over the mountains and it began to warm up. We gathered all the gear and headed to the Headstone. With the 1000's of climbs in JT, I seem to be drawn to the Headstone almost every time I am there. There were already a few parties on the routes. Kris and Moody rented some climbing shoes from REI for the occasion. So they could get familiar with the workings of the shoes, Michael setup a short top belay on the rock directly opposite the Headstone. We all went for a short climb and hung out on top.
I down climbed and hitched a ride on another parties rope up SW Corner, trailing my rope and replacing their draws on the way. I was hoping to get a picture of everyone up on the other rock from the top of the headstone but Kris had already lowered off by the time I was on top of the Headstone. Here is the picture of the rest of the group.
Kris was the first one on the rope for SW Corner. He has always been afraid of heights but it's cool he wanted to give climbing a shot. SW Corner is hugely exposed, especially if your a new climber. As soon as you start you feel like you are way off the deck. He gave it a good effort and lowered off. Next came Moody. After doing some Elvis impersonations he made it to the top.
Michael caught a ride on the other groups rope and setup a top belay on South Face Center. Here he is topping out.
Sierra gave SW Corner a whirl but since she is only 8, she couldn't reach all the holds and lowered off. Not to be detered, she headed up South Face Center. Here she is topping out.
Not to be outdone by her 8 year old daughter, Yvonne also came up South Face Center.
A few of Michael's other friends showed up now as well. Kris, Moody, and I broke for lunch. After lunch we headed back up to the Headstone. I had never climbed South Face Center and wanted to give it a try. Kris and Moody decided to check out the Adobe ruins to the South East of the Headstone. They snapped a few pictures while wondering around. Here I am on South Face Center.
