Tag Archives: joshua tree

This is what happens when you leave me alone in the wilderness…

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I make embarawkward (embarrassing + awkward) videos…

J-tree season is coming to a close until later this year. I started my memorial weekend with a whole Friday to a solo bouldering trip out in Josh. Personally, I like to climb solo when projecting a boulder problem. I’ve actually sent all my projects solo, leaving the air as my trusty spotter (thank god for low-balls). I like to project solo for few reasons. I’m the one controlling my own body. I would like to think I know how my body moves and works. There is a sense of satisfaction knowing I finished a climb by figuring out the beta on my own. Also, I am highly considerate of people’s time. I could spend hours at a boulder, and if I have others along with me who climb at different levels… I would feel rushed to move on. When I climb on my own, I don’t have to worry so much about timing.

I didn’t spend the day projecting anything per se… but I did have a relaxing day fill with rocks, chillin’, bomb lunch, and the black keys. I hiked out to the Planet X circuit. I’ve never been out bouldeirng in this area so I hiked in pretty psyched and not knowing where anything is.

Which probably led me to this “accidental” free solo. I walked up to the spire to touch the climb. Climbing crack puts me in a focused zone, consciousness set in when I saw a bolt in front of my face. At that moment, the best decision is to just down climb whatever I got myself into. Not ignorant, even if some would like to believe so. So whatever you want to express about soloing, for now please keep it to yourself. I don’t encourage soloing whatsoever. It’s a personal decision for me… realizing risks and all.



There are some amazing climbs and quality rock out there in Planet X circuit. If anyone heads out to Jtree and hasn’t gone to this area, I highly suggest it. It is exactly 1.2 miles heading south east from Intersection rock, the turnout will be on the left hand side if you are entering form the West Park entrance. There is an awesome Access Fund trail that leads you straight to the Planet X circuit.



I also went back to HVC and touched scatterbrain again… yea, still kicks my a**
I will continue to work on this one, its my mega anti-style for the left movements of the climb. Slopers, pinches, heel hooks, and big moves.

Keep your passion & Climb on!



-Natalie Duran

The Road to Alexandria… almost.

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       Today I planned to go to a new boulder (project hunting) way deep in Joshua Tree National Park, CA. A few friends and I were on a journey to a boulder problem called Alexandria – V7.
I have been reading the description of Alexandria, it sounds like a boulder problem that I would LOVE. Good hard balance moves on crimps up high, ending on jugs to the top out. I found this picture of Alexandria online. It looks so beautiful, almost reminds me of some high boulders out in Bishop.

We met up at 10am in Intersection Rock parking lot, and then decided to head straight towards Alexandria. There are a lot of boulders in JTree that have a 2 second approach, but Alexandria is an exception. Depending if you get lost or not, the approach can be ~30min-1hr long. On the way there is a gorgeous boulder with this problem called: Psyche – V4. Nice & high, an arete style problem that is slightly overhanging. On a nippy and windy day, we climbed Pscyhe as the warmup problem.

The moment before the ankle roll injury

Quickly into climb time we had an incident. Preston was almost done with the problem, but  popped off a hold from the top… landed on the pads wrong, spraining his ankle.

You can see that his right foot is slightly angled before landing on the pads, which was the foot that was ultimately sprained. The injury is a big combo of a bad high fall/falling position/pad. So from that moment on, climbing for the day was done.
It was still a gorgeous day, continuing to be dirtbag climber… beer and a comfy crashpad in Caveman (Hidden Valley Campground) makes any day better.

No crutches out in the wilderness, so we have to work together to help the disabled get back to the car!

Next week: 2nd attempt to sending Alexandria! First step is getting to the boulder, haha. Hopefully no mishaps on the next trip.

climb on!
-Natalie Duran

Its Prime-Time Jtree

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my hands are freezing… fire should make them warm rite? *sticks hand IN fire*

 

Its a goregous & great time to be in jtree right now. This is the prime time to climb in this high desert.

Josh has been flooded with climbers & good times these past few months. I feel that there will be even more when the NEW Joshua Tree Bouldering Guide by Miramontes will be shipped out next month on the 16! I cant wait for it. The full coloured pages will get me psyched to find a new project out there. The book is for sale as a preorder ($37.50) $29.99 +shipping of course. Totes worth it imo.

Climb on this weekend everyone!

-Natalie Duran