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stewbabby
Nov 18, 2002, 3:02 PM
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Registered: Apr 25, 2002
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I just got back in town from climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch just out side of Jasper Arkansas. I just wanted to tell you guys that this place is great! It was a heck of a drive for us and was not our first choice, but the weather made it our only real option. We climbed pretty hard over the 2 days that we spent at HCR and I think that we got in about 25 routes give or take a few. I would guess that there are somewhere around 250 named routes at this place. The owners have put a lot of money into these routes. Almost all of them have double ring fixe anchors. There are plenty of great trad routes. There is actually one wall that I would highly recommend for any new leader. And the sport routes have been bolted responsibly. I saw a lot of routes that would have one or two bolts on the lower section of the climb and then were left for natural gear at the top of the climb where the rock would take it. There are many routes with just about whatever rating you want. I would not only recommend this place as an "if you are in the area" crag, but rather as a destination. I will try to post some pics tonight.
stewart
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oper7g
Nov 18, 2002, 3:36 PM
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Registered: Nov 5, 2002
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That's great to hear. I'm going there next week for 3 days. We have a group from the local gym going with abilities across the board. I just hope the weather holds.
Did you stay at one of the cabins or did you camp?
Cheers,
Dan
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stewbabby
Nov 18, 2002, 3:42 PM
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Registered: Apr 25, 2002
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We just camped, but the cabins look great and would be a great option with a bigger group to cut the cost. I know that you will have a blast! I would highly recomend starting on the north 40. It has a high concentration of good moderates.
stewart
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ranski
Nov 19, 2002, 3:06 AM
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Registered: Oct 30, 2002
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Stewart-
We must have passed each other at the North Forty this past weekend. I was with the Kansas City group. We were staying in the cabins. They sleep six comfortably for $50 a night.
Stewart is right, the North Forty offers many great moderate sport and trad routes. If you think you are ready for your first lead, check out "Summer Rain" (5.6 sport), Two members of our group did their first lead this past weekend on it.
My favorites for the weekend included "The Greatest Show on Earth (5.8+ sport) and "Molt" (5.7+ sport) that is short and spicy.
I'm sure Jer will chime in with his thoughts on the more challenging routes that HCR has to offer. Jer are you out there...
ranski
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jer
Nov 19, 2002, 11:04 PM
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Registered: Sep 26, 2000
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Yah- I'd describe HCR with one word- "Classy".
Everything is done well. From the half inch bolts to the quilts on each bed in the cabins. Look to Rock and Ice's next mag for more info.
One thing I noticed is that the routes rating "scheme" is all over the board- some are soft, some are hard, some right on. I would guess this is from numerous developers with different backgrounds developing at the same time.
I still haven't made it to the east side of the canyon, but everything I got on at North Forty, Confedrate Cracks, and Crackhouse area was quality!
Stewbaby- I never saw an alabama license plate- and I looked!!! Oh well- at least it worked out for you- hope my beta helped! Congrats on 25 routes in 2 days! you were movin'- not loungin' in the sun like me!
Jer
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bsignorelli
Apr 27, 2003, 3:40 PM
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Registered: Feb 1, 2003
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In reply to: I would not only recommend this place as an "if you are in the area" crag, but rather as a destination.
I would like to second that sentiment. I drove up to HCR yesterday for the first time and fell in love with the place. Its located in the middle of some beautiful country and the sheer number of climbs was amazing.
I climbed on The North Forty wall with a couple of guys I met here on rc.com and totally enjoyed the climbing. I got to do my first trad lead yesterday (Dancing Bears 5.7) and it was awesome.
It reminded me a lot of Foster Falls (but shorter), but the canyon is much prettier than FF.
Two big thumbs up go to HCR and the people that run the place.
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