Crag Hoppin

We are more or less in a transition period of occupying ourselves until the high mountains clear away some snow. Ultimately, we aim to be spending most of the trip high into the alpine areas of Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada. Until then we rely on our trusted rock and road atlas, which contains a unique collection of off the beaten path cragging areas that you'd normally drive right past. First we are led to Logan Canyon, and as one might assume, it is right outside of Logan, Utah. For beautiful scenery, bike/hike paths, picnic areas, campgrounds and of course climbing, this canyon is part of a National Scenic By-way. We spend a day here messing around on some top-rope lines, getting on things that normally we'd steer clear from which is great to get us a good pump going on in those 'ol forearm muscles. We found an almost worrysome amount of blood pools and splatters on this formation....nothing could really explain this except for maybe Unicorns and Hornets having an epic battle on this ground. ah ok, maybe not but i think it accurately paints the picture. The hornets really were so obnoxious that if you were unfortunate enough to stick your finger in a wrong hole here or there you'd better be ready for that bugger to get ya. Unlike City of Rocks, we were unable to find free (or even cheap) camping so we resolved to resting our little bungalo on wheels at the Wally World parking lot. --somehow both of us neglected to take a single picture here!--

Driving outside Provo we went up Rock Canyon to find some fun routes to mess around on for the day. Climbed up a sweet 5.8 hand crack that tested our knowledge and patience of crack climbing, I have still yet to figure out the technique for this sort climbing. Nonetheless, fun area to hang around at for the day!

Climbed the lower and top portions of the wall in mid picture

 

Bring lots of beer. Thats a good moral to keep while on a climbing adventure. Other climbers like beer (including ourselves) and tends to be the best way to meet people and share stories. We ventured into Maple Canyon and found some of the most interesting canyon walls that probably have ever existed. The tall walls are constructed out of thousands of river rock and cemented mud forming a surprisingly solid climbing surface. This place is modeled almost like an inside climbing gym. We met some fellow climbers who we ended up spending the day with. Shared stories and kept eachother going with a copious amount of beer. Well, maybe not that much, but enough to keep us feeling frisky at trying harder grade climbs. Thats safe right? ha well since it's all bolted we felt like it was a prudent decision. As the weather turned rainy, we all piled into the turtle and cooked up some steaks and guacamole covered burgers as we sat by the candle lantern for a little evening ambience.

Climbing up river rock walls

Maple Canyon Friends

 

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