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Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:50 pm
by Taco
Anyone here know much about Mormon Rocks, as it pertains to rock climbing, rappelling, and all that nonsense?
Also, I seem to remember someone saying it's now off limits to climbing (whatever that's ever meant), but I can't find any info anywhere on it. I'm sure I can call the Ranger Station there and they'll tell me it is, and that it's impossible to reach without crampons or it's flooded or something.
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:11 pm
by PackerGreg
I went there with a natural history class at Citrus College last fall and "the kids" were climbing all over the rocks. There were no signs, and the professor is well connected with FS and plays by the rules, but he didn't stop them...
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:41 pm
by Taco
I'm assuming they don't mind "scrambling" (no rope/gear), maybe they don't want anyone putting in bolts/fixed anchors?
Thanks Greg!
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:35 am
by PackerGreg
I don't know much about climbing, but that sandstone is very soft. I don't know that it would hold an anchor.
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:41 pm
by Taco
There are a variety of anchors up there. From what I've heard, one must be careful during and after major precipitation, as the rock softens.
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:04 pm
by outwhere
Taco,
I thought I was recording this last night but somehow I managed to screw it up --- anyways, there was a great show on the History Channel
about these guys climbing mountain faces in the Himalayas to reach VERY difficult to reach caves, some of them being spiritual shrines.
These guys were decked out with some serious climbing gear --- but how in the hell did people climbed [safely] way back when, I have no idea. I remember hearing something about ladders but I wasn't really paying too much attention because I thought I was recording the dang thing 
Anyways, maybe you've seen the show and know what I'm talking about - if not, hopefully I can figure out what it was called and if/when it will air again - it was some heavy stuff!
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:09 pm
by PackerGreg
Close-Up of the same outcrop that the kids are climbing on...
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:11 pm
by PackerGreg
Just for fun...
Re: Mormon Rocks Climbing History
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:57 pm
by Taco
outwhere wrote:Taco,
I thought I was recording this last night but somehow I managed to screw it up --- anyways, there was a great show on the History Channel
about these guys climbing mountain faces in the Himalayas to reach VERY difficult to reach caves, some of them being spiritual shrines.
These guys were decked out with some serious climbing gear --- but how in the hell did people climbed [safely] way back when, I have no idea. I remember hearing something about ladders but I wasn't really paying too much attention because I thought I was recording the dang thing
Anyways, maybe you've seen the show and know what I'm talking about - if not, hopefully I can figure out what it was called and if/when it will air again - it was some heavy stuff!
Probably some old school aid setup. Pitons and fixed ropes and ladders and all that.