Christine on Orange Sunshine, a fine route for the area. And yes, the photo's a little heavy on the saturation...

me standing

To the right of General Dynamics is a Mission Gorge test piece that will defy most climbers with another polished dihedral that leaves you baffled as to how to get into it!

High above the San Diego river, in Mission Trails county park, lies a band of technical climbing for the initiated. This gymnastic bulge is just one example of what Mission Gorge has to offer!

Fun Route. A local classic from what I understand. I am just starting to develope my trad climbing, so it's nice to have such a perfect crack to play on. There is one little crux at the top. Nothing too hard, but it did make me chalk my hands (you can see a lot of protection up there).

This is a second run up The Ramp after leading it. I just wanted to find a better way to do the top half.

This is a cool shot taken through a giant crack in a boulder at Middle earth in Mission Gorge. You can see the nice cliffs on the other side of the Gorge that you are not allowed to climb on.

My name is Styder. I love climbing in San Diego. When I found out that there was a cliff here called Middle Earth I knew I had to check it out. After spending some time there I learned that there was a rout that held my very name. With an (i) instead of a (y). So I set out to climb it. So here I am. Stryder climbing Strider Face.

Climbing on Christmas Day!!! Does it get any better?

My mom climbing on Christmas Day. She climbed hard that day.

My dad making Merry Anne look good, he surprised me that week, got on a couple of 5.10s and sent one!!! Nice job dad!

I took this shot of my brother Adam on Easy Rider, a cool route we've done many times. Mission Gorge is a pretty cool spot; it's hard to tell there are millions of people nearby.

Tyler lies back on his way up the crack. I'm on belay. Good climb to wear out your forearms.

Overview of Upper Limbo area including some new routes. Topo hand-drawn and Courtesy of Chris Hubbard (2005)

Ryan powers through the crux on The Owl.

Jason works through the thin crack crux of "The Ramp" at Mission Gorge, San Diego.

My friend Eric and I were climbing Skyline, and noticed these cool clouds floating over us. I rapped down and grabbed the camera to take this pic. I think it turned out pretty well, but I couldn't decide what orientation looked the best. Leave me some feedback... Thanks

Here is a pic of me trading this fun 5.7+ at MG.

Grunting thru the moves on The Galwas Crack. Nothing pretty about it and then you get a guano encrusted chimney move to exit. Kinda serious lead IMO. Props to Jerry Galwas for an enlightening old school route. photo: Sean Houghton

This is a picture of me rapping down orange sunshine at the end of a long day of climbing at Mission Gorge.

This is me trying to work my way out of this narrowing chimney. I found myself stuck in a uncomfortable position, so if your tall like me I advise leaving the chimney earlier. Too bad this pic was taken with a flash because the colors were intense.

My friend Eric rappeling down the pair of parallel 5.9 fingercracks in the center of the main wall at Mission Gorge. Watch out for the last quarter of the left climb because some birds have managed to poo in all the important places. -cb

Im finishing the last hard move of Orange Sunshine, a crimpy low-angle 5.10c at Mission Gorge.

Here is a photo of me climbing a 5.9+ finger crack at mission gorge. Though my facial expressions show exertion, I was actually looking at this tiny bat the was hiding in the crack. So watch out for this little guy next time you do this climb

Photo taken by Debby R. in the fall of 2003.