I am not sure what the name of this route is because I am really bad at that sort of thing, but it is a picture of me climbing one of the bigger walls at Stoney Point in Chatsworth, CA.

Here are some photos of the same climb from different angles and positions:

Me at the start of the Climb

Partner-in-Climb on the same route

The worst part about climbing at Stoney Point is chasing the shade to minimize exposure to the heat and sunlight. I recommend lots of good sunblock, a hat and something to sit on when you’re not climbing because the rocks get REALLY hot. A towel is OK, but I recommend a good camping chair like a Crazy Creek chair or some other collapsible chair. That little added bit of comfort helps make the heat and the waits between climbs more comfortable. I especially recommend one if you plan on doing any belaying.

It’s a good idea to get to Stoney Point early, to beat both the heat and some of the crowd. It is a really popular destination for climbers and families just out for a hike or a picnic, in addition to some weekend climbing schools. If you have your heart set on top roping one of the bigger walls, it is essential to get there before the crowd to get a route. Otherwise, be prepared to boulder.

I realized the last set of Bishop photos didn’t really demonstrate just how large the boulders are. In this photo from the Sad Boulders, the cars in the distance give some idea of the scale of the boulders.

The weather was amazing. It was hard to believe it was late November. At night, the temperature dipped below freezing, but during the day in was in the high 70s and incredibly clear and sunny. It was absolutely perfect for scrambling around on the rocks and hanging out and working problems. Here are a couple of photos of Partner-in-Climb (PIC) having fun at the Sad Boulders:

We couldn’t find this problem mentioned in any guides, but there were some chalk marks on a nearby problem, so it might be an area that is still under development. I didn’t try this problem because what you don’t see in the photos is the sheer drop on the backside of this boulder. Yes, I am a big chicken sometimes. But that’s OK with me.

We had to head back to camp around 4:30 PM because the sun was going down and the temperature was dropping quickly, but we did have several great hours enjoying the sunshine, the boulders, and the scenery. Here’s a pic I took at sunset back at the camp.

The dusty crash pad in the foreground is truly one of the best investments anybody who spends any amount of time bouldering can make. It’s the Black Diamond Mondo Crash Pad and it rules. When not actually using it as a crash pad for bouldering, we have used it as a “camp couch” and a camp bed. It’s really amazingly comfortable. When the straps are underneath the pad, you can’t feel them at all. The first time we used it as a bed, I thought it would be a “princess and the pea” situation and I’d be turning all night, but the foam or something seems to absorb the straps so it’s just pure relaxation.

It came in very handy on the cold Bishop nights as well. It’s about 5 inches thick so it was a nice layer of protection against the cold ground. I highly recommend it.

I wish we had the chance to stay for a longer time on our last day, but Big Old Dog was hobbling around so we decided to head home a little early to give the poor guy’s hips a rest. He loves to run around when we go out exploring but he usually needs a day or two to recover from all the fun. I totally understand how he feels.

I saw a golden eagle on the side of the road just as we turned onto 395, but I fumbled with the camera and wasn’t able to get a photo. It was eating some roadkill, so it might be best to just leave it to my memory anyway. The site didn’t really do much to kill my appetite;I think I was too much in awe of the eagle. We stopped at Schat’s Bakkery on the way home and loaded up with treats, including a sticky pullaway bread that was mostly devoured by the time we were back in Los Angeles. I am really looking forward to the next road trip to Bishop. Bishop is really an amazing place.