Can anybody suggest a good guide book for Joshua Tree? Thanks in advance.

Lisa

I suggest a guide book for Joshua Tree.

Is that what you were looking for?

I assume you mean climbing Guide Book ? There are two (sort of): the mammoth edition by Randy Vogel and a series of area-specific guides by Alan Bartlett. The Vogel guide is out of print, but copies are still hanging around some book stores and climbing shops. I would suggest trying REI and the like on the east coast, they may still have copies.

The Bartlett guides are much smaller and cover individual areas, such as Lost Horse Valley, Indian Cove, Hidden Valley, etc (e-mail me if you want the exact list, ISBN numbers, etc). Neither guide is complete and they do complement each other. The grades in the Bartlett guide seem to be a bit more on target, especially with respect to R-rated climbs (IMHO). The Vogel guide runs around $35.00, the Bartlett guides about $12.00 each.

Hope this helps

Tim S.

ian,

No, what I really wanted were suggestions for guide books on where to luge in JT. I thought that might have been obvious given all the luge racing out there. however, now that I realize there is climbing in JT, perhaps I'll do some while I'm out there. :))
lisa

Skip J-tree! If you're making a trip from the east coast, you should hit Taquitz, Suicide, and Red Rocks!!! E-mail me if you want more info on any of these areas.

One of the best things about Josh is the bouldering. There is a bouldering guide written by Mari Gingery. In fact, I plan to get one for my next trip there. Have fun.

Friction Weenie :-).

Actually, John's probably right. By late April J-Tree gets pretty hot.

Timbo

Thought I was the only one who went luging in JT. Lisa, I'll give you a private showing of the luge guide, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. In fact I'll draw you a map. Ever hear the story of how Boston got its name?

I like my climbing hot. i like friction too. Ergo, I go to JT.

Lisa,

Going to JT doesn't preclude you from going to the Adirondaks Slabathon, I hope. It can be hot in the Adk's too, so that should be to your liking.

BTW, I have a recent JT guide book by Randy Vogel that you can borrow if you don't come up with anything else. I'll be in the Gunks on Memorial Day weekend, perhaps even before if I can find a free weekend.

Ian, have you decided on the dates for the Slabathon yet?

Pete Grant

I haven't decided on anything yet. I know that I'm working at the gym on weekends for a few months. I'm hitting the Gunks for one day next weekend. Next outing will be Mem. Day Weekend to the Daks with the assorted band of misfits I call friends. Anybody that wants free beer and BBQ Chicken, we should be set up near the halfway point on Chapel Pond slabs the saturday of Memorial Day weekend. We'll be the only peopl on the cliffs in anchored lawn chairs. Depending on my money situation I may head up to the Daks every weekend after that, or I may continue at the gym for a while, and not start the slabathons until I start guiding in July. But don't worry, I'll keep you informed Pete. Thanks for asking.
Ian

Lisa,

Interestingly enough while I was at J tree this year I was loading up on fuel in JTree the town and was with my partner who has a gunks sticker on his car (and NY plates). Anyway, met this woman in the van behind us on line who asked us about the Gunks. Apparently she always heard how wonderful it was and we just added on to that.
She then asked us what we thought of the ratings at Josh. Well, since we are e. coast climber who can't climb cracks to save our butts, we thought they were pretty right on but just a different type of climbing.
She then told us that she is good friends with Alan Bartlett and he would ask her to climb with him and work on a consensus grade. Really nice folks.

Anyway, Vogel will be out with a new guide soon and you can get a copy of his old one still through him or you can pick up a Bartlett guide, the sportclimbing guide (hardly "sporty"), or the bouldering guide.

You also can just ask one of the hundreds of climbers around you. It's akin to being on the carrage road and asking to see someone's guidebook for a second. And folks will point you the right way.

Also, at night in the campgrounds you can peruse guidebooks and write down areas and routes for the next day.
You would probably like the DQ wall.

Enjoy it.
Cheers,
Christian :?)

Thanks Christian!

Lisa

Lisa,

If it gets too warm for you or you just want something different, you really should check out Taquitz for the day. There are some really terrific multipitch moderate trad routes (Ski tracks, 5.6, Fingertrip 5.7, Open Book, 5.9) as well as some scary runout bolted friction slabs (which can also be toproped). And the town of Idylwild is a great place to hang out for dinner or beers afterwards. Only 2 hours from J-tree. Last time I was in Idyllwild I hit J-tree for the day and it's a totally pleasant day trip.

I'm heading to Taquitz again this year in May for a long weekend (not long enough).

Leemouse (Hensley)