v2 in barker dam, great problem.

Sun was setting, line was long, looked over and saw our shadows. I liked the little bumps our chalkbags made in our profiles...

Okay, so I know it's a butt-shot, and it's not even in perfect focus, but it's my favorite butt-shot. For one thing, it's a shot of my favorite butt: my own (maybe someday the back side of some deserving young lady will earn that title, but for now, my own toosh will have to do.) But more importantly, this is the only photo to ever exist of my first trad lead. The route is Room to Shroom (5.9) in Joshua Tree. It's an excellent route, though the hike in is a major pain.

Not sure if I got it on this try but I eventually did. It was my first time to J-Tree and was by far the funnest bouldering route I did. The top out is scary but fun as can be... especially when you get it!

Not sure which route this actually is but is was fun... some weird looking body positions were necessary to squeeze up to the holds.

Me dynoing to the jug on high noon. I havn't actually finished the problem. I love the dyno move though.

On our way to the Gunsmoke area on a beautiful J-Tree day.

Joshua Tree was in full bloom this past weekend. Cactus blossoms and wildflowers were beautifully abundant. The little black mark on left side inside the bloom is a bee. It flew out the second after I took this pic. I wish I could've gotten the whole thing as it completely covered itself in pollen.

Hiking in the long way to Gunsmoke during a warm, beautiful day at Joshua tree. We turned and noticed the snow on the mountain....

Here is a snapshot of the Killer Cracks (from the J-Tree guidebook) to the right of Gunsmoke before the "rock" slide. Look for the rest of the series to see what it looks like now. Let's just say that routes 1855 and 1856 are no more....

Here are the Killer Cracks (to the right of Gunsmoke) now.

Here is the piece that fell in February of 2003. The ranger told us that someone had bolted the face of the rock 3 days prior to the slide. It then rained for 3 days and this piece slide loose. r6driver is in the foreground while camsticker is by the chunk to show perspective.

Here is the piece that fell in February of 2003 (from the backside). The ranger told us that someone had bolted the face of the rock 3 days prior to the slide. It then rained for 3 days and this piece slide loose. Our friend Ralph is standing under perspective.

Here is the void left from the rock slide in February of 2003 next to Gunsmoke. The ranger told us that someone had bolted the face of the rock 3 days prior to the slide. It then rained for 3 days and this piece slide loose. The rock that fell is just to the right in the picture.

This is a 75 or 150 foot traverse with some really cool moves.

Another nice day at JTree. I like the mountain with the snow in the background.

Good hands to the lip. Photo by Albert Points.

EZ cruising through the lower rails. What a beautiful route, the kind that can inspire you to train even harder...

I never have good photos of me leading anything so I made Matt go stand in the bushes while I led Room to Shroom. One of these days, I'll get a truly good one, but for now the grimace is going to have to do. Stellar route!

Sarah starting off the Gunsmoke traverse. The day was rather windy but quite sunny with the Gunsmoke area mostly out of the wind. It was great fun working the routes in the area.

Tough grainy seam with some slopy holds and abrasive rock. Maybe this problem should have been called butt crack seam.

Check out those smokin' guns! This is me on the awesome boulder traverse in Joshua Tree, photo by callmeraymon.

Not knowing the problem's name or grade, rjtrials saw the chalk marks and gave it a shot. drtopo says: "Start with two horizontal cracks, up to a jug in another one and up to the seam" so I assume this is the problem he was doing.

In an area known mostly for it's climbing areas, I had to wonder when I came across this sign... is it REALLY necessary?!

my bud gonzo on the start of gunsmoke. always liked this picture because it reminds me that climbing is a beautiful thing.