SoCA Backpacking

[eubi]

Well, OK, I'll be the first to post here too!

I've loved backpacking since I was about 14. I try to get out once a month. Weather doesn't matter. We have Crampons and Ice Axes, and I know where to rent snowshoes. We had a couple of great ice and snow climbs earlier this year. We even ran into ice on San Bernardino in May!

I'm a member of the Inland Empire Council High Adventure Team, and teach Backpacking to Scouts and Scouters.

During my 8 years as a Scoutmaster I took my troop on many backpacking outings. There are so many beautiful backpacking spots in this part of the country it's hard to know where to start. But here's what I'm looking forward to:

For later this year, I want to do Mt. Lowe and the 3 T's hike in the San Gabriels. My oldest son suggested climbing Telescope Peak in DV, it looks like a great climb! By summertime we want to do a week backpacking at Mt. St. Helens.

I also like to rock climb, but I've cut back due to age and weight. But I've lost almost 40# since May (when this photo was taken!), and am itching to do some climbing again! I like Joshua Tree, but it's quite crowded and hard to reserve a campsite. My last couple of climbs were in Johnson Valley, east of Lucerne, CA.

My sons and I at the top of Mt. San Bernardino. We had to climb ICE to get here!

SUMMIT ALL_250.jpg (181.37 KiB) Viewed 4069 times

rich

[big dave]

Mt Lowe is awesome. Speaking of DV, check out Keane Wonder mine if you havent already. You can follow the tramway all the way to the top, where there are some extra mines. Its a longggg way up. Santiago Peak in OC is nice, and the emergency shelter up top of Wilson is supposed to be awesome at sunrise. I need to dump a lot of weight before i start hiking again.

[gon2srf]

Congrats on the weight loss and getting back out there. I think it's really cool that your posting up these new threads. Any chance you can sign up for BorregoFest and share some stories?

I have fond memories of hiking and camping with the Scouts. My favorite all time weekend (with the Scouts) was climbing Mt. San Gorgonio in the fall. We camped at Lodgepole, this was back in the 70's, I don't even know what's left up there it's been so long but it was freezing ass, I clearly remember that. Even so the icy cold water sure helped make some very good freeze dried ice cream! I don't think many people realize we have an 11,500 ft. mountain in our own backyard.

[OLLIE]

I am intersted in doing some climbing hiking in the next year. I have a lot of the gear and I am trained to use it for rescue but have never been trained to use it climbing. (i.e. setting anchors, etc) I hope to take some classes next year. Where do you suggest a good place to start is?

[eubi]

I am intersted in doing some climbing hiking in the next year. I have a lot of the gear and I am trained to use it for rescue but have never been trained to use it climbing. (i.e. setting anchors, etc) I hope to take some classes next year. Where do you suggest a good place to start is?

In the Inland Empire, we have a Scout program to teach rock climbing to adults. It consists of a classroom session that goes over the basic safety precautions. Next class you will learn how to climb, and we will get you out on the rocks for a day of actual climbing, rapelling and belaying. You are now an Instructor in Training. After assisting in three climbing outings, you qualify for the third class to be a Lead Climb Instructor. In this class you will learn how to set anchors and even do basic high angle rescues. Then you get to go out on the rocks again and practice everything you have learned. After passing the third class, you can lead a Scout rock climbing session. The BSA is super-safe about rock climbing, but they don't have many accidents either. However, you have to be a registered Scouter to take the classes.

I believe Sports Chalet and REI have rock climbing classes. Also, check out any of the indoor climbing gyms.

You are wise to seek out a class. In fact it's imperitive that you take a class! Rock climbing, and especially setting anchors, is not something you should be learning on your own!

[Cnynrat]

For Ollie or anyone else interested in rock climbing training, another avenue to consider is the Southern California Mountaineers Association (http://www.rockclimbing.org). They run an excellent program each year beginning in late January and running through April on alternate weekends. I think it's about 7 or 8 days of training in total, and you will get some experience climbing at a number of the local areas. Cost is usually pretty reasonable compared to some of the purely commercial offerings such as REI and A-16.

From what I've seen of some of the commercial offerings the SCMA class is a bigger commitment of time, but much more complete training IMO. I don't think you can learn to climb safely on your own in a weekend.

Fair warning for the wheelers here: Historically, the SCMA is an off-shoot of the Sierra Club, and although it's been many years since I took the class I'd guess it's still very "green" in it's orientation. So as an added bonus, you can probably have lots of interesting debates with people there about the role of wheeling in outdoor recreation!

[gon2srf]

That's great info Dave, thanks!

[cruiserlarry]

Fair warning for the wheelers here: Historically, the SCMA is an off-shoot of the Sierra Club, and although it's been many years since I took the class I'd guess it's still very "green" in it's orientation. So as an added bonus, you can probably have lots of interesting debates with people there about the role of wheeling in outdoor recreation!

I ain't skeered

[gon2srf]

Fair warning for the wheelers here: Historically, the SCMA is an off-shoot of the Sierra Club, and although it's been many years since I took the class I'd guess it's still very "green" in it's orientation. So as an added bonus, you can probably have lots of interesting debates with people there about the role of wheeling in outdoor recreation!

I ain't skeered

Dude, you are on a roll. Funny!!

[Cnynrat]

Fair warning for the wheelers here: Historically, the SCMA is an off-shoot of the Sierra Club, and although it's been many years since I took the class I'd guess it's still very "green" in it's orientation. So as an added bonus, you can probably have lots of interesting debates with people there about the role of wheeling in outdoor recreation!

I ain't skeered

No, I wouldn't expect you would be Larry!

Just wanted to prepare people for the reaction they might get when they show up at the first class in their lifted, locked, and fully armored FJ/Jeep/Taco/Hummer.

Seriously, in my time there it was a great group of people who are really are passionate about sharing their love of rock climbing and mountaineering with others.