Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Pinnacle Rock - Rock Climbing




Met up with Nicole to do some climbing in her backyard. We headed out to the Pinnacle Rock crag in the Central Valley of CT. This is the first time I've ever climbed on Traprock and it reminded me of Granite, but more smoother. One of the climbs we did (First Crack) was interesting. I climbed it trying to use as many hand and foot jams as I could, and I was able to get a few good hand and foot jams. One thing I learned while climbing that route - I actually felt more secure using of foot jams to get me through a couple of sections - so fun! Thanks for a great day Nicole! Enjoy a few photos of our day.


Pinnacle Rock in the background


Tadpoles in a puddle at the trailhead

First Crack (5.4)


From the top of Cracked Wall


Bumped into Matt Shove
Here he is leading Second Crack (5.7)

Also got to chat with Bob "Bob-O" Clark

Friday, May 11, 2018

Central Rock Gym - Climbing



Got to introduce several folks of the Metrowest Retirees (or not yet) Ready For Adventure meetup group to some indoor climbing. I organized a meetup at Central Rock Gym in Worcester, MA. and we had a good group to climb. The staff at CRG was fantastic with rental gear and overall gym orientation. It was evident that everyone had a great time. Not only did they learn to climb, but they also improved with every climb - they catch on fast! #borntoclimb #thestokeishigh

Friday, April 27, 2018

Crack Climbing - Instruction #3


crack climbing, hand jam, foot jam, hand twist, thumb rotation, salt pump climbing gym
Tired, sore and bruised

Sore and bruised finger knuckles - but happy to have a crack climbing lesson with Tino this morning! Worked on getting my thumbs rotated into my palms and then twisting my hand in the crack. Made for a solid hold but I have to remember to keep that all locked as I have a habit of loosening as I move up. As for my foot jam technique, I experienced only one good foot jam today. It was solid as I moved up and there was pressure on my foot but absolutely no pain. Learning on vertical cracks is definitely more challenging than learning on low-angle cracks. But I get so much out of learning to crack climb! It's difficult, but helps me focus and brings me great joy, especially the learning aspect. The rewards far outweigh the pain! 2i - Ice and Ibuprofen!

Monday, April 23, 2018

Women's Climbing Festival - Salt Pump Climbing Gym







Although I didn't get to stay for the film like I had originally planned to, I did get to take the Crack Climbing clinic. The class was limited to 6 and taught by Kaili Throp. I met some other badass women who love crack climbing! Other clinics included Anchor Building, Rappelling 101, Climbing Movement, Training Off The Wall, Intro to Climbing, Kids Intro to Bouldering, Anatomy of a Rope, Project & Route Building Facing the Fear of Falling on Lead, Injury Prevention and Yoga/climbing workshops.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Kraft Mountain Loop Trail - Desert Hiking

Kraft Mountain Loop Trail
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Another perfect day for desert hiking! Today Ronnie and I hiked the 3.1 mile loop around Kraft Mountain. Although the parking lot was filling quickly, we managed to find parking at the Sandstone Road trailhead. We hiked counter-clockwise as the ascent is less gradual in that direction. There were many boulderers arriving and already many in the boulder area. Many hikers out with their dogs were enjoying the day as well. Enjoy some photos taken of our hike.






The start of our hike. We hiked counter-clockwise and started our hike (East) from the Sandstone Road trailhead. Left: Ronnie with the pink Kraft Mountain in the background. 

Entering the Kraft Boulders area

Bouldering, boulders, kraft mountain, red rock, la madre mountain wilderness

Entering the La Madre Mountain Wilderness Area

Along the trail

Beautiful formations

  
Along the trail
We came up the trail that leads to Turtlehead Peak




There were two, short, steep, sections that required rock scrambling (Class 2). For someone with two knees replaced with Titanium, Ronnie crushed these sections!




White Domes Trail - Desert Hiking

Slot Canyon of White Domes Trail
Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada


The last hike Ronnie and I did at Valley Of Fire SP, was the White Domes trail. What a great trail this is. It's a 1.1 mile loop which is moderately trafficked and has many stunning views!! Like Mouse's Tank, the White Domes day use area has picnic tables and bathrooms. There are also several boulders for the kids to scramble upon.

Other Valley Of Fire SP hikes:





 From the trailhead at the parking lot, cross over a crest and admire the terrain below! Beautiful sandstone formations line the trail down to the desert floor with the White Domes on your far left.













At the desert floor you'll reach an open area. This 'amphitheater' is surrounded by formations. Also in this open area are the "fake ruins" (right) of a 1965 production The Professionals. Valley Of Fire SP is a popular filming location for commercials, films, TV shows and photo shoots.  

















 The trail continues and immediately drops into the Kaolin Wash. The walk along the wash is short and you're immediately at the opening of the slot canyon. 






















Entrance of Slot Canyon
























As you step into the slot canyon the walls quickly become narrow. But the canyon is only 200 feet long. Stepping out of the slot canyon you are on the wash again. But the trail continues up to your right, between large sandstone formations. 






The well-marked trail winds its way between formations of yellow, pink and beige. 















Found a small arch

Pink, yellow and beige formations


Another arch

The trail curves to the right and you'll know when the trailhead is near. There are a couple of cement steps which leads you around the corner of a large formation, and up along the side of White Domes road to the picnic and parking area. This hike is short, but there are so many views, colors and formations in this short hike! Highly, highly recommend!

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Rainbow Vista Trail - Desert Hiking

Pano taken from Rainbow Vista trailhead
Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada


The second trail we hiked was the Rainbow Vista trail. Right off the bat (at the trailhead) you'll see rock formations of gorgeous colors! Past reviews have this trail as poorly marked, but I didn't find that so. 

Other Valley Of Fire hikes: 
Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank
White Domes




Looks like an elephant head on the right side of this photo


Can you see him?

Looking down the trail of the outcrop

Very windy at the top of the outcrop!

But you have to agree.....

......gorgeous views!

Dogs are allowed on the trail so long as
they are kept on leash no longer than 6 feet.

The end of Rainbow Vista Trail
Overlooking Fire Canyon

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank - Desert Hiking

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank
Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada

Located just a little over an hour drive from Las Vegas, Ronnie and I did a day trip out to Valley Of Fire State Park in Overton, NV. Before hiking Mouse's Tank, Rainbow Vista and White Domes trails, we stopped at the Visitor Center/Rangers Station in hopes of purchasing a color Trail Map of the park. Unfortunately, they had run out of those but were handing out an 8x10" copies of printed maps. Being the weekend and great weather, the park was packed! Enjoy some photos of our first day hike at the Valley Of Fire State Park - the Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank.



Balancing Rock
The trail (more of a walk) to Balancing Rock is heavily trafficked out and back. It starts at the Visitor Center. This photo was taken from our car as we rode past it.











Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank
The Petroglyph Canyon Trail begins off White Domes Road, and is also called Mouse’s Tank Road. It's about a mile up from the park's Visitor Center and a picnic area is located on the opposite side of the road. The picnic area is covered and has parking and several picnic tables. A sign at the start shows examples of Petroglyphs and their possible translations. 



It is advised to stay on the trail and not touch the Petroglyphs as they can be easily damaged and cannot be repaired or replaced. 

Surprisingly, this photo (left) and the next 4 photos turned out okay for being taken with my iPhone on zoom, as well as using the "Crop" function on my photo editor.









The trail is moderately trafficked and is an easy hike on level terrain. Left: Ronnie















Gorgeous rock formations everywhere
 you turn along this trail!




















Mouse's Tank
The end of the trail - Mouse's Tank is a natural basin in the rock where water collects after each rainfall. It is named for the Southern Paiute Indian renegade "Little Mouse" who used Valley Of Fire in the 1890's as a hideout after being accused of killing prospectors in the area. 

Pano of canyon from above Mouse's Tank

Desert Sand - it's like walking at the beach, but there's no ocean!

YouTube Channel - Hawaii Girl Adventures

Check out my YouTube channel at:  Hawaii Girl Adventures I will eventually be phasing out blog posts and be posting videos of my climbing, h...