Lohbo

Black Mountain has no shortage of sweet problems.  One of the ones we sampled was a fun steep climb called Lohbo, which is named for its proximity to another cool climb called Loh's Roof.  I managed to flash both these problems (stroke the ego....) and Prairie would have done Lohbo if she could have taken off her poopy pants.  Next time.

 Prairie eyeballs a long tenuous reach on Lohbo, Black Mountain California

Sticking it

A Little Bit Taller

Prairie found herself wishing she was a little taller on several problems in Black Mountain.  It is undeniable that height can make a huge difference and this makes Prairie even more determined to muscle her way up reachy problems.  Of course fighting genetics isn't always going to be successful.

 "I want that hold"

Determination

On the hold but in the end it wasn't quite enough.  Sucks to be short

The Republic

Here are a few pictures from the Republic, one of the many area's at Black Mountain.

 Prairie warming up

A cool arete problem

 Creg mentally prepares for Twilight of Idols.  This problem is one of the best I've done in awhile.  Aesthetically it's hard to beat as this solitary line sits atop a mountain with a great view.  A must do for capable climbers in the region.

Creg dials in the moves of Twilight of Idols.

Creg looked solid but in the end came up just short.  Next time

Sunset

Black is the New Black

My girls have finally arrived in the States and we are hanging out at my grandmothers place in Malibu and climbing local stuff around here.  It's wonderful to have my girls back.
For the time being I'll try to do some catching up from the week before Lina and Nalani arrived.  Here is a little reto-post about Black Mountain from about a week back................

The weather in the States has been freakishly good as areas that are usually snowy and unclimbable this time of year are snow free and warm.  This gave me the opportunity to check out almost any area in California and I opted for one I've long been wanting to visit, Black Mountain.

Black Mountain is an extensive granite area located east of Los Angeles in the San Jacinto Mountains.  It has long been a bouldering destination as many of the the classic moderates where put up by the old Stone Masters but it was the release of Big Up's Rampage in 1999 that really put Black Mountain on the radar.  Since Chris Sharma's tear through area projects in the late 90s Black Mountain has continued to produce high quality problems as a dedicated crew of folks continue to explore and develop.  The potential is endless for those willing to hike and I dare say that Black Mouutain should be one of the States' premier bouldering areas.

For my three days in Black Mountain I was fortunate to have a local tour guide as Creg graciously showed us around.  Creg took us to a newer area called the Republic the first day and we spent the last two days at the main areas around OK Coral and Boulder Basin.  I am now totally enamored by Black Mountain and can't wait to get back.

Here are some pictures with more to come

Potential

Creg hanging out in his backyard

Due to the seasonal locking of the gate we had a 40ish minute hike to the boulders.  Will be nice to come back in the spring and be able to park next to the boulders.

Creg slogs up the road to the boulders

Prairie on a cool mantel problem at the OK Corral 

The super classic Wave

Creg attempts one of his projects, Dark Horse

Prairie on the Hueco Wall

Black Mountain sunset