Jack's Canyon, Winslow Arizona

Selfie while "locked on belay"

5.9 where everyone but ME hung on belay.
I didn't finish the route -lowered down-
but that was before I learned SPORT Climbing
is all about hanging and trying again.
Not in MY day....not in my day.

Rocks & Ropes, Tucson AZ

May 24, 2014 Tucson, AZ
ROCKS & ROPES Climbing Gym

Rock Jim Rating: 9  (scale of 1-10)

Something about the outside of the building and perhaps it's the signage, but it looks like we are going into a Ross Dress for Less Store.

But of course once inside it is clear that we are at one of the best Gyms in Arizona.  Tucked down off of I-10 and Broadway, down by the railroad tracks you'll find Rocks and Ropes and it has a little bit of everything, and a lot more of a lot of things.

For example, the first thing you notice is the Entreprises Wall System.  The contour of the walls are more like real rock than some of the standard plywood, metal or concrete walls seen elsewhere, and consequently the smearing grip is improved greatly and it really does feel like real rock.

Plenty of Belay stations for climbing with a partner, a number of  high Auto Belay routes (or auto descenders as they are sometimes called)  if you are on your own, as well as a great Bouldering Cave upstairs.  Some upper deck tables for taking a break and a gear store for those things you can't live without.   The bathrooms have a shower for members, but they are not separate from the public restroom.  IE: You CAN shower but you won't be alone ;)

Overall, this being the first time we decided to go OUT OF TOWN for a rock gym, we were very pleased with our $13each Day Pass purchase.  Here's the obligatory Selfie..... if anyone found my left earring at Rocks and Ropes that day, let me know.  I see almost exactly when it fell out.

Jim and Kay upstairs at Rocks & Ropes

Joshua Tree National Park - California

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 April 11, 2014
Joshua Tree - California

Even without GPS we found it!
Emerald Wall

We went to JT in February, and again in March.  February was MY first time.  Jim has been many a time with his friend and oft times climbing partner Steve Smelser.  Steve is a LOCAL at Joshua Tree by virtue of having complete over 1,000 climbs in the valley.  ONE THOUSAND.  That's over a decade worth of travel, work and fun for a guy from Arizona.  That's Steve in the red shirt, helping point us at the right rock.

So I was saying, my first time was just Jim and I passing through the park on a 24 hour get away.  The second time we wanted to get back there so much we talked our youngest daughter (our last one at home) into coming along on her Spring Break.  Of course we brought her boyfriend AND for some reason were roped in to taking them to Disneyland on one of the days.  So YES, we made camp, did some hiking, got up early the next day and went bouldering and more hiking.  Followed the next day by a trip to Anaheim and the Magical Kingdom.

Suffice it to say that Jim and I still were not satisfied having visited JT now twice and done nothing but bouldering.  I wanted to get on TOP of something !!!  So this time we met up with Steve and his wife daughter and son in law, plus BONUS, 2 of their kids/grandkids.  This is ME and Kellen just "talking about things"