Rock Climbing, Bishop, CA

This past weekend Mary Beth and I joined her mountaineering club for a rock climbing outing near Bishop, CA. It was the first time I have climbed outside on real rock, and for that matter, the first time I have climbed at all in 7 or 8 years. The trip was led by Xavier who did a great job leading the routes and setting up top ropes for us to climb safely. Mary Beth led one route as well and this photo shows her in that process. It was taken in the Owens River Gorge, where we climbed the first day.

Most of us were top rope climbing. Assuming your belayer has your rope tight while you are top roping, you won't fall any distance at all. When you lead, you can fall some distance until the rope catches you. This distance depends on how far above the last bolt you clipped into you have climbed. The routes in the gorge are "sport," which means permanent bolts have been placed in the rock that you clip into for protection. We were free climbing, which means the rope is only there for protection in case of a fall. All upward motion is obtained by gripping the rock with our hands and feet.

The second day, we climbed at Iris Slab in the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra are composed of granite and the rock seemed easier to climb to me compared to the volcanic rock in the gorge. The routes at the slab are traditional, or "trad" climbing. This means the lead climber must place his own protection, two types being nuts and cams, which are placed into cracks or other features in the rock to tie into for protection. Xavier is leading this route as Mary Beth belays him from below, as seen in the second photo.



I had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone. Thanks to Xavier, Steve, Nadia, Nathan, Val, Elizabeth, John, Marlie and most of all Mary Beth for allowing me the opportunity to join them for this wonderful trip! This last shot shows Mary Beth belaying Xavier.

West Temple and Towers at Sunrise

Today I am leaving Zion on my way to Las Vegas. Before heading out, I got up early for this shot of the West Temple and the Towers of the Virgin. The sun rises in a different spot compared to winter, so the formations are lit differently than in my shots taken in January. I love the clouds in this shot.

Evening Primrose Zion National Park

Mary Beth came to Zion for the weekend and we hiked to the top of Angel's Landing yesterday. Along the way we found this primose growing next to the trail. Angel's Landing is 1500 ft. from the base of the canyon floor and about a 2 mile hike one way. The last half mile is a steep, exposed climb up a rocky trail that has a chain handrail to help keep you from falling.

Zion National Park

I've returned to Zion National Park for about a week. It is so different here compared to my last visit in January. The campground is nearly full, the trees have leaves, there are crowds in the park and in town and the snow is all gone. I got this shot of a dead snag this morning.

Updates...

I haven't posted in a while, have taken a break from shooting but did get out yesterday for a little shooting in Red Rocks, NV. After that last Yosemite trip, I spent a weekend in San Francisco and saw the musical, Jersey Boys. If you have a chance to see it, I highly recommend it! It is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It wasn't a working weekend, so I don't have any photos to share.

At the moment, I am in Las Vegas to hang out with a friend. She's been showing me the natural areas surrounding Las Vegas and even took me caving. I had to crawl on my belly to fit through a narrow passage way to access a cave.