Photos by rocknroll

If this was in the midwest, it'd be a State Park. But there are no signs, no people and it's in the middle of no where. Where? You gotta know where.

She stood me up. I met her on rock climbing.com.She seemed so psyced to go climbing in the desert. So I loaded up the camper with gear and food and headed out. Friday night at 7pm I get the call. She's not coming. I got food, a place to sleep, might as well stay for the wekkend and boulder. Photo/Climber: The Chossman

Can't get any closer to Heaven than this. Actually this is across the street from Mike's Backyard in the Rock Pile. I made a sage brush tripod and snapped it with the self timer and a flash. Photo/Climber: The Chossman

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Yes, it looks like josh, it feels like josh, it even tastes like josh, but it ain't jish. It's better. No winnabagos, no scumbag climbers, no rangers, no Nazi Park Service.

The first route on the wall. I had climbed to our highpoint and threw in some bolts. This is a month later. when we finished the climb. Note: Seth is climbing in sandals!

This route is by far the best alpine route in Rock Creek Canyon. Yup, even better than the Ruby Wall (which has a lot of grainy rock), and yes my friends, even better than that 100 crowded classics route the North Butress of BearCreek Spire (but Bear Creek's summit is by far the best!)

Here are the Goods: a) Unknown 5.10 b) Swiggums Route 5.10 c) Clevenger route 5.9 d) All alomg the Watchtower 5.10a e) Firefall 5.9 f) grunt mountain 5.8

TheNorth Buttress ascends the striking pillar on the left skyline; the North Face follows the snowfield through it's tallest point.

For all you folks who wanted a higher resolution pic, here it is. Hopefully the photo editors will let thisd go through since it;s been at the top 10 ohotos for the last few weeks. Enjoy! The Chossman

The Alabama Hills just might have the hardest boulder problems in the world. There are many huge overhanging case hardened faces; take the 45 degree wall at hueco and extend it twice its length. But finding them is the problem since the majority of the rock is shite. Contact me and I'll give you a tour because I am not good enuf to climb them. Where is Chris Sharma when you need him?

Another photo from the Mothership series. In my attempt to get Jump for Joy, Sr. Rotten was jumping into the air on my count. I caught him too early, yet created a great composition with his body aligned diagonally. Photo by The Chossman. Climber: Johnny Rotten

This guy can climb better than Chris Sharma, is tougher than Rienhold Messner, has the grace of Lynn Hill and is meaner than John Bachar. He even spits blood from his eye. When it comes to his sex appeal, well, he's a horney toad. And dig that outfit, way camo for today's militaristic youth. You won't find him crusing the latest testpiece in the Buttermilks...no he is strictly Special Forces in Iraq. Photo by The Chossman

The moon rises over the Alabama Hills through a light mist of clouds as Wray tries to find his way down by moonlight. Photo by The Chossman.

Bouldering in the remote Eureka Valley, part of Death Valley Nat'l. Park's expanded boundary. Avoid the crowds at the Happy Boulders; this is only 45 minutes away. Self portrait by The Chossman

You just stop and stare. A beautiful Sierra Wave cloud greets this boulderer after completing a hard problem. Photo by The Chossman Boulderer: Johnny Rotten

The Chossman soloing in the Coso Range near Centenial Flats

At Mike's Backyard. The neighbor's daughter liked the crazy antics going on when Mike moved in. She begged to do a real rock climb, so here we go! Crystal following the first ascent of The Ladies Route, 5.6. Mike was right beside her: and a good thing too. She cried and yelled and screamed, but got up it. Photo by Rotten. From the Chossman Collection

At Mike's Backyard. The neighbors began to wonder about the strange things going on when Mike moved in. For instance, why was their a mattress on top of the rocks? To pad the ropes for the tyrolean traverse. Duh! Photo by The Chossman

At Mike's Backyard. Mike climbs 5.11a onsight, ground -up, traditional sty--- Hey? Is that a drill at his side? He is a hardman! (or he's trying to make it hard on himself...). Photo by Rotten. From the Chossman Collection.

At Mike's Backyard. Seth Dilles gettin' down wit his badself on Backyard jam, 5.6. Mike's house in the background. Photo by the Chossman

Presently there are four sport routes, one mixed route a jam crack, a layback flake, an aid climb in the process of being ascended and plenty of bouldering. Did I forget to mention canyoneering and caving? Of yes, and the never never hole.

What else do you do when you just completed a hard boulder problem and the glory light is going off around you like a technicolor living hologram? Photo by The Chossman. Climber: Johnny Rotten. Area: Santa Rita Flats, Inyo Mountains, California (where? if I told ya I'd have to silence you)

This fine climbing area is a few miles south of California's most poular hiking and mountaineering trail. Beautiful cracks in perfectly cleaved granite - yet no guidebooks, no photos, no mention, no climbers. Should I even mention it?

Who said there was no climbing in Death Valley. Boulders, crags, knife edge aretes...and the rock ain't that bad. This is the Skidoo Boulders near the ghost town of Skidoo, The rock is a pure vein of quartz. Climber: The Chossman. Photo:The Chossman

Mike hasn't bolted the roof on the huge balanced rock. Here he is checkin' out the holds in the last light of day. Photo by wray. Climber: The Chossman

This photo was enhanced with the use of outdoor lighting. The route is in Mike's Backyard and is on private property. Photo by Wray; Climber: The Chossman

A photo topo of "If at First " Grade V 5.10+. First Ascended August 16-18, 2004 by Mike Strassman and Seth Dilles

Day Needle on the left - which has stupidly been renamed Crooks Peak does not have any routes that take advantage of the beautiful dihedrals in the center of the face whilst the lines on Keeler Needle (on the right) are rapidly filling up.

Following the second pitch of a new route on the South Face. Currently, there are two routes being attempted this summer. Both will go from the lowest point on the wall to the top.

This formation is on the opposite side of the canyon from the Dome. How about that sunlit arete right of center. Only 4-5 hour walk from the car. The entire formation is about 1500' tall. Where is it? Take a guess.

Here is an 800' dome visible from hwy. 395. Can you guess where it is? According to Doug Thompson of the Whitney Portal store, it has never been climbed. Who wants to go?

Bastille Butress is not in the wilderness which means power drills are legal. What do you think of a 2000 ft, sport climb? Photo by Chossman

Rock quality is fair to poor but that is part of the challlenge. Many bolts, 4 pitches, 5.11b. First Ascent Mike Strassman, Seth Dilles.

The Fang. III, 5.11b 4 pitches. mucho bolts, Somewhere in the middle of Nevada. (hint: it is on the Extraterrestrial Highway) First Ascent: Mike Strassman, Seth Dilles, Jackie Carroll January 30, 2004 Photo: Mike Strassman

Rowell's Arete on the left and Central route on the right (in blue) are depicted in High Sierra Classics (Fiddler/Moynier)and Peaks, Trails,and Passes (Secor) inaccurately. I climbed both routes in blue and they do not match Rowell's description. Actual routes in red.

The West face of Baboquivari Peak provides a free climbing alternative to the wall routes and nail-ups on the East side. I'itoi dance is probably the best route with The Cloud Man Got Angry variation to Born Of Water second place. Can anyone draw in Times Lost and Crystal Line on this topo?