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southPA277
Feb 20, 2013, 5:18 AM
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I'm from Pennsylvania, but will be visiting my sister in 29 Palms over spring break in March. I want to do some climbing, but have only shoes and a chalk bag at this point. I looked at doing a guided climb, but couldn't justify spending 225 for 5 hours. I could possibly borrow some equipment from a buddy and take out there, but I'd have to stick to bolts. Seeing as I won't have anyone to belay me, is there anything I can do to climb alone, or should I stick to bouldering? I won't be completely alone while out there, just will be climbing alone. Any advice?
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dagibbs
Feb 20, 2013, 6:25 AM
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With chalk bag and shoes -- nope, you're probably stuck with bouldering. (Not that there isn't loads of awesome bouldering in Jtree, much of it with quite flat landings, even if you don't have a crash pad.)
If you can bring shoes, harness, and belay device, then you have the bare minimum to hook up with someone else who has more gear and might be looking for a climbing buddy. Hidden Valley campground is probably the place to hang around looking for a climbing buddy.
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jt512
Feb 20, 2013, 6:32 AM
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southPA277 wrote: I'm from Pennsylvania, but will be visiting my sister in 29 Palms over spring break in March. I want to do some climbing, but have only shoes and a chalk bag at this point. I looked at doing a guided climb, but couldn't justify spending 225 for 5 hours. I could possibly borrow some equipment from a buddy and take out there, but I'd have to stick to bolts. Seeing as I won't have anyone to belay me, is there anything I can do to climb alone, or should I stick to bouldering? I won't be completely alone while out there, just will be climbing alone. Any advice?
Is there anything you can do in Pennsylvania to climb alone without a belayer, besides bouldering?
Jay
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Kartessa
Feb 20, 2013, 2:22 PM
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Cruise the campground at dawn and corner people as they're making breakfast, asking them if they will climb with you.
If you got skills, even better, I found that a lot of people who troll for partners in Hidden Valley have gear but just want to follow.
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southPA277
Feb 20, 2013, 4:06 PM
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What do you mean by that?
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papapetro
Feb 20, 2013, 5:10 PM
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Try to find the Gunsmoke traverse.
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jt512
Feb 20, 2013, 6:29 PM
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southPA277 wrote: What do you mean by that?
What about my question did you not understand?
Jay
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southPA277
Feb 20, 2013, 6:42 PM
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Disregard I guess. I was wondering if there is any feasible way to perhaps self-belay or something of that nature, or whether that's just too complicated?
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jt512
Feb 20, 2013, 6:51 PM
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southPA277 wrote: Disregard I guess. I was wondering if there is any feasible way to perhaps self-belay or something of that nature, or whether that's just too complicated?
Yes, self-belaying exists, but it's the kind of thing that if you have to ask how to do it, you're not ready for.
The good news is, there's an awful lot of bouldering to be done at Josh.
Jay
(This post was edited by jt512 on Feb 20, 2013, 6:53 PM)
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Shabby
Feb 20, 2013, 9:33 PM
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I understand where you're coming from...But how are they supposed to learn if they don't ask?
It's not like they can go "hurdur, I've been climbing for 5 years, I have not seen anyone self belay, lets try this. Hopefully that will work herpyderp"
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jt512
Feb 20, 2013, 10:16 PM
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Shabby wrote: I understand where you're coming from...But how are they supposed to learn if they don't ask?
They could try to reason it out for themselves. That's what I did.
At any rate, an online forum full of gumbies is not the place to learn to self-belay.
Jay
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Co1urzz
Feb 20, 2013, 10:47 PM
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i use a 'silent partner' ... kinda expensive, but so worth the money, it uses a double loop around a centrinfigul clutch drum that needs about 15lbs of pull from the bottom to pull my 10mm+ stiff rope through it...its super safe, never used a backup with it...ive heard that a basic ascender(they dont make them anymore) would be a good back up...if you can top rope, the shunt is much simpler to use, and less fall length, takes about 3 feet of rope for it to cinch down. WARNING: if you do not put the rope on the drum EXACTLY like it needs to be, it will jam/not catch you.
EDIT: i store it in a dry bag, it has gaskets to keep dirt out, but i dont tank any chances, its welded shut, maintenance free...
and actually, after 5 years of climbing, and deciding that the grigri was trash, i got the silent partner and went for it...much better than just free soloing.
(This post was edited by Co1urzz on Feb 20, 2013, 11:18 PM)
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