Thanks for the good word @WheelinMatt. I'm stoked you and your son got to experience a sunset summit together on Reggie Dome. The Chief is a good climb! Glad you like the videos as much as I love making them. Route 66 is a good one as well. But, it is a little more of a trek. If you have a specific grade range and/or style you guys are targeting, let me know and I can possibly suggest something. A similar climb that comes to mind is "Yosemite Sam" on the Super Heroes Wall. Easy approach, moderate grade, great rock.

I do place a gear nest - 1 nut and 1 cam for my first piece. Bomber enough for me!

That's weak. They're probably just learning to lead cracks and place gear. Everyone starts somewhere, cut'em some slack.

@mls01981 | | splitter cracks! I don't recall that little horizontal being any good - likely flared. But, it's been awhile since I've climbed this one. I'd just go locked and loaded with several 1-4's with some smaller peices for up high. It would be pretty difficult to fall out of that crack given the jams are so money.

There are fixed bolts with a set of steel rings that your route your rope through. After you rappel, you just pull one end of the rope and it comes right down! You can kinda see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2K6hWaebtGjkKc

@michael if you do the step across start, which I believe is the original beta, it's pretty chill. That bottom section looks burlier than it climbs. From the pod, you can casually place a couple bomber pieces before pulling into the crack. I don't think this one is any harder than the other 5.7's in the park if you have decent crack technique. What have ya been climbing?

@@KlaasicAdventure I was in J-Tree last week and led White Lightning, Mike's Books, SW Corner of Headstone, Dance Rehearsal, and Toe Jam. I'll be back at Tahquitz when the snow melts away -- I just love it there, but JT is incredible as well. Thanks for the support -- I should climb up to the step off to suss it out. My fear is falling before the pod and breaking a leg! I would feel super confident once a ground fall was off the table! Maybe next time I'll give it a go!

​@@mls01981 I had a gut feeling you were going to say White Lightning! For sure, if you led White Lightning, you'll be good to go on Double Cross. I felt the start of White Lightning was more difficult than pulling into the crack on Double Cross. The climbing into the pod on Double Cross is easy - just run-out. The good thing is, once you're in the pod, you can casually place two bomber pieces with a no hands rest. Then, if you were to blow it pulling into the crack, you're luckily already 20ft up! Let me know if you end up doing it. The view from the belay is pretty awesome for a sunset session. I've only climbed a few of the moderates at Tahquitz / Suicide (Trough, Fingertip, Coffin Nail to Traitor Horn, Open Book, Sundance, Serpentine). I'm sure you've been on a few of these as well. I absolutely loved P2 of Coffin Nail. The horn of course is classic. Open Book is stellar (followed that one). I felt like Tommy Caldwell on the Sundance slab. The traverse on P2 was probably some of the most fluid climbing I've ever done. Super focused - no fall slab mindset. Good times! Here is my tick-list in case you find yourself looking for ideas in J-Tree. www.mountainproject.com/user/112058049/bob-klaasic/ticks If you have any favorites, send em' my way. I'm always looking for route inspiration!

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing the good vibes. All the R's for sure!

Thanks for the good vibes Priya! 🤙

The June Lake Marina. 🛶🤙

Hey Jose. Thanks for the good word! JTree is such a special place. So many good times there for me as well. Wonderland is full of magic. Any super memorable outings, routes, or areas that you think back to specifically?

@@KlaasicAdventure Some of my fav routes were Touch and go,Double Cross,Sail Away, Double dogleg,ZZZZ,Walk on the wild side.. Spent many overnighters there. I recalled once was we were woken up by snowing. I mainly climbed out there with an occasional mtn bike ride out to nowhere. Even had a spiritual experience once. Winters where just amazing.

It's a great route. I love the traverses!

came here to say the same thing. felt relieved when he pulled out that z4

Thanks Patrick! The anchor is a standard 3 piece pre-equalized anchor. However, instead of belaying directly off the master point, you clip a munter hitch into the master point and essentially "lower yourself" to the edge. You can do this all while staying on-belay if needed. When you get to edge, you tie a BHK which becomes your new master point and fixed safety tether. I learned this technique from a certified PCGI guide. It comes in handy when you have to utilize anchor opportunities that aren't within direct sight of your climber. Climbing magazine also has an article that talks about this very technique. (See link below under heading: "Extended Master Point") Link: www.climbing.com/skills/learn-this-belay-extensions/

I haven't tried the BD gloves yet. I do have some Ocun's that I use on sandstone or "grittier" cracks. (I generally only tape up in Indian Creek). Gloves are just more convenient. So, I'll have to give those BD ones a try. Thanks for the good word!

@Jon, yeah, I pushed that runout (5:45) a bit more than I probably needed. I was just trying to reduce the potential of rope drag. But, in that upper section (20:50 | 28:33) there is no avoiding it. Easy climbing, (5.4) up beautiful dikes...but by far the longest runout(s) I've ever done. Easily had 40-50 feet of rope out. Just glad the climbing was cruiser. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks again for sharing your stoke!

It's a good one! 🤙

Yeah, 3" cams are useful on this one. When I filmed this, I didn't bring anything bigger than #2. But, having 3" cams makes it much safer. Personally, I don't think there are many places for a 4" cam. The crack is mostly 1-3" and the upper chimney has small placements. But, it never hurts to bring extra pro just in case! Thanks for the comment!

Hey Dario! "Yew" is a term I picked up from surfing and is commonly used in action sports. Generally speaking, it's an audible representation of being "stoked"...which, happens to me a lot. So, I'm always saying it! "Yew!"

@@KlaasicAdventure That's so funny. I say/hear "Yew" all the time and I surf and climb... for the life of me I have no idea when it came into being!

Hey Doc! The marina rents aluminum boats that have 4 stroke outboard motors. So, I assume it's A-Okay. But, a call to the June Lake Marina just to make sure might be your best bet.

Hey @Catsaur! There are a lot of different ways to approach entry into trad climbing. However, I am a strong advocate in finding a certified outdoor guide who can teach you the skills necessary to feel confident. The easiest way to do this is to find an outdoor area you'd like to climb at. Then, research the local guiding companies that guide in that area. If you spend a day with the guide, you will not only get to climb some cool stuff, but you'll learn some valuable skills and get a better understanding of the process. All-in-all, the topics that are most important to the safety of trad climbing are anchor building, anchor cleaning, leading, and self-rescue. Personally, I decided to get guided instruction for each topic. It was worth its weight in gold because it gave me confidence. Trad climbing can be mentally demanding at times. But, if you trust your knowledge, gear, and systems; you will likely have more fun. Learning this stuff isn't hard. It's actually super fun to spend a day with a guide. What part of California are you based out of? Maybe I can recommend an area and/or guide service? Also, here are a couple Instagram channels that I really enjoy. (@thecodybradford, @daleremsberg)

@@KlaasicAdventure I'm based in the south bay area Norcal. The two locations that come to mind are Tahoe and Yosemite. We also have guides at Castle Rock State Park and in the Berkeley Hills, so I've got some options given how popular climbing is here. I totally agree with your sentiments, I think I'll feel a lot safer having comprehensive classes on everything.

​@@catsaur Awesome! Yeah, you've got some great options. Actually, when I was climbing in Lover's Leap (when I filmed this), I met Petch from Lover's Leap Guides. We were both toping out on our routes at the same time. The guy is super mellow and I had some good conversations with him. If you find yourself wanting to climb Lover's Leap or anywhere on Highway 50, I would not hesitate to give them a call. The local climbing community up in Strawberry is super inviting and vibrant! Plus, that rock, is so dang good!

@@KlaasicAdventure Cool cool! I assume they offer guiding up routes as well as specific training for self-sufficient climbing? I will certainly look into them. My outdoor itch is real..

Hey Jon! Thanks for the good word. I appreciate the stoke! Climbing is something that I am passionate about, but also something that I don't take too serious. I think it is easy to get caught chasing grades and ratings. However, climbing for the love of climbing...now that's a magical thing! I can for sure relate to your love of movement. It's super awesome you share that with your daughters. That's what it's all about! Super stoked!

Thanks for the good word! Where are you climbing predominantly?

Peanut butter and hand JAM sandwich! Yew!

Good little route! Rope eater tho! 🤙🤙

Medium rare, pink through out. :P

Thanks for the good word @frank! I appreciate it. Welcome to the world of adventure climbing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

@@KlaasicAdventure Actually--I just thought of a question! I just lead my first multi-pitch trad yesterday. 5.6/5.7, but it had bolted anchors which made it so much more approachable from the mental side of things. Any suggested trad climbs in California that have bolted anchors? I don't think that is a filter option on MP.

Honestly, all areas can be hit-or-miss when it comes to bolted belay anchors. I can name a few off the top of my head in Joshua Tree. However, a LOT of the time you'll have to build your own anchor on trad routes. It's just the style and ethic of trad climbing vs. sport climbing. Personally, I would recommend getting some instruction. When I started, I hired a guide in Joshua Tree and spent an entire day just working on anchor building. But, after that day, I was throwing together bomber anchors and top-roping trad routes pretty easily. My guide gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to feel comfortable.. Also, the Falcon Guide "Climbing Anchors" book by Bob Gaines and John Long is stellar. It's a good additional resource to have. To the original question...you could check out Alabama Hills, Holcomb Valley, or even Red Rock Canyon NV. These are all mixed areas where bolted belays are generally more common. Also, slab routes generally always have a bolted belay given the nature of the rock.

Dude, on Steppenwolf moving out of that upper crack towards the arete...that was a very precarious section. If that was where you whipped...like Wowsers Scoob!

I've done Cryptic on follow and Southwest Corner on lead. I thought Cryptic was the harder and headier pitch. But, psychologically traversing out over space will always give you a bit of buzz! There is a nice boulder pinch to thread at the base for the belayer. Always a good measure in case the leader takes a dive off the deep end!

@@KlaasicAdventure yeah, I drug a BD 4 cam up there for a belay anchor. I didn't fancy being yanked off that ledge lol

@@LouDude502 you know the trick! 🤙

Stemski broski!!!

🤙🤙

Haha. That will happen. Sometimes locating a route is like finding a needle in a haystack!

@@KlaasicAdventure and half the adventure IMO🤙

@@LouDude502 true that! 🤙

🤙🤙🤙