We Love All Rocks

We are two Southern Oregon climbers (Joey and Jen), and we want to share our climbing adventures and stories with you! Our goal is to get you all psyched on climbing, especially in the Southern Oregon area. We clean, climb, and document the development of new (and long forgotten) climbing areas in the region.

Along with all the new area development and climbing, we will share about all the other, exciting things happening in our climbing lives. I've been busy making climbing holds, coaching little climbers, making a bouldering guide, setting routes, starting a guide business. Jen has been right there with me, snapping shots of everything (most of the photos in this blog will be from her), planning new trips, going to competitions, and has, basically, been the brains behind all the creativity that we have.

Of course, along with all the new events keeping us busy and the trips to our local climbing areas, we will definitely venture to other states, countries, and even planets to expand on our small climbing areas.

For a small taste of what's to come, check out this planet:

(The Arch Project at Pluto Caves, California)
 

Well, Pluto is still a planet to me!

This amazing 25 foot arch is part of the Pluto Caves, which consists of a series of lava tubes (some of the oldest lava tubes around), which stretch for approximately 1 mile, underground, near Mt. Shasta. The caves consist of moderate to hard boulder problems, with plenty of unclimbed problems to be explored.

(The main cave at Pluto Caves, California)

 

(The winter sky above Pluto Caves, California)

These caves kind of remind me of one of those cheesy alien movies... you know, where a group of kids are up to no good, stealing and vandalizing. They ride their bikes into a field, the ground collapses, they fall into some old, underground cave, inhabited by aliens, and then the kids get their brains sucked out by the aliens... Karma is a bitch. True story. My point is, there may be aliens at the pluto caves. It's that crazy. So, make sure to bring a crash pad, and a tin-foil hat if you're going to climb there.. both could come in handy. 

However, the Pluto Cave is just one of the many, unique climbing destination in our area. We are also very lucky to have Lost Rocks, Rattlesnake, Green Springs, Callahans, and two new additions to our local climbing areas: The Illinois River (a work in progress) and Mill Creek Falls (also a work in progress). Not to mention, all the other less travelled, but equally special climbing destinations. These places all have something amazing to offer, and all are worth checking out. That's why we're here, to show you why!

(Mill Creek Falls in Prospect, Oregon)

(Store Gulch cliff on the Illinois River near Selma, Oregon)

.... and BAM! After seeing all this, everyone loves rocks! Right?

Actually, I'm not gonna lie... I love all rocks, and tons of other people also love rocks, but surely, not everyone can love all rocks! Let me explain.

Maybe you're all about a nice, flat landing. Maybe you only climb granite or 8AM is too early. That's great. Seriously, I hate waking up early. But, I will wake up early to climb. I love granite, but we don't really have any. And, don't get me wrong, I love a nice, perfect, sunny, 65 degree, day of climbing. Those are the best! But, we live in Southern Oregon... 

My point is, a lot of people only climb when the conditions are near perfect. I, however, enjoy all rocks, all the time, in all conditions. I work with rocks, talk about rocks, read about rocks, and you will often find me in the woods, petting rocks. See:

 

(Basalt feels so good! And look, I'm wearing a lama sweater. Mill Creek Falls)  

We are not here to tell you when you should climb, or what's ideal for you. Our goal is to inspire you to love climbing a little more, and to be out there with us, rain or shine. If not, no worries. You can read all about our adventures from a warm, cozy couch, and let us do the exploring for you. 

Yes, Southern Oregon has it rough when it comes to climbing. However, hopefully you can ignore the spray painted caves and the lack of granite, the changing sand levels and the chossy orange rock. It rains a lot, the summers get hot, and the poison oak runs wild. But we love every bit of it! 

So, here's to Southern Oregon Cimbing! Enjoy.