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ROCK WORKSHOP (SPS) Sheep Pass, Joshua Tree National Park |
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Leaders: Dan Richter and Bill Oliver |
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By Dan Richter |
April 5-6, 1997 |
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Another windy Friday night at Joshua Tree...... |
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The sun rose on a clear and calm Saturday morning as thirty-two of us filled in the sign in sheets and waivers. Murray Zichlinsky of the Southern California Mountaineers Association, who had the campground next to us, came over with Ted Lewis to say hello before they went off to climb. The SCMA used to be the Rock-Climbing Section of the Sierra Club before our climbing insurance hiatus. Murray is this year's SCMA President and Ted is one of the leaders of their Novice Training Course. |
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We spent the morning reviewing knots, harnesses, climbing techniques, and the body belay with climber tie-offs. Bill Oliver put some check off applicants through their paces for M and E level rock. After lunch we worked on Dulfersitz rappels. We ended the day top roping Hob Nob Wall and got some good climbs in before sunset. Bob Bruley passed his M level rock. |
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That evening some of us went in to Joshua Tree for Thai food. Later we all gathered around a big fire and bragged, talked, and laughed into the night with the comet Hale-Bopp above us, spectacular in the clear high desert sky. Ted Lewis had set up a Celestron telescope over at the SCMA campground which some of us had a chance to look at the comet through. |
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Sunday morning we went to the Stirrup Tank area and set up top ropes to practice climbing cracks and friction as well as prusiking up a line. |
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In general, we had an experienced and accomplished group, some of whom had gone through the SCMA course. Thanks go to the leaders and climber helpers who were a great help. They were Paul Graff, Charlie Knapke, Patrick McKusky, Nancy Pallister, Joanclair Richter, Greg Roach and David Underwood. |
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Participants were Joe Baker; Elaine and David Baldwin; Mars Bonfire; Bob Michael and Steve Bruley; John Dodds; Steve Erskine; Barbara Gorecka; Craig Hoechstetter; Kristiane Koch; Carlton McKinney; David Novick; Sheryl O'Rourke; Maria Roa; Mirna Roach; Don Slocum; Ray Soucy; Kathy Tardy; Steve Thaw; Ken Wagner; and Jack Wickel. |
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© Copyright 1997-2001 Dan Richter |
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