BMW

With the gate open, posting our Black Mountain plans for the weekend just doesn't seem to be so important. There will be plenty of people going up there anyway, so who needs us? That being said, we'll be out there both days. We're not sure on Saturday, but Sunday begins at the top, at the base of the lookout tower, before moving down to the Bang On area. Come on out!

BMW

Black Mountain Wednesdays are getting popular! Ten of us were at the summit yesterday, climbing around NRA, Bang On, and Cracker Boy. How did we get up there, with the gate closed and all? Easy, THE GATE IS OPEN! No more long hikes required.

Above you can see Alan on an unnamed v8 near Cracker Boy. What's going on there? A nasty mantle topout, that's what.

Below is Mike on a v2 warmup near NRA. There is a few boulders with a bunch of quality v0-v3, right through the cave from the main circuit. The summit is much cooler than the Corral or Boulder Basin, so check it out on those hot hot summer days.

And a question. Does anyone know about all those climbs near Bang On? There are a number of tall faces in the area, and I'm sure someone has climbed them, but who?

BMW

The weather isn't perfect, but we will persevere! OK Coral on Saturday, Republic on Sunday. We should have a large crowd both days, and as always, all are welcome.

Alan and I will be heading up to the Ok Corral tomorrow morning if anybody would like to join. We plan on being at the second gate (the locked one) around 9am. We have dialed in the walk and it is a casual 25-30 min walk if you cut out a few of the switchbacks. Temps look good for a full day!

BMW

Black Mountain Wednesday continues tomorrow with another trip to the Corral. We'll be warming up around the OK Arete area before moving down to Morphic Resonance and finishing up on new boulders around the hillside. All are welcome! We meet at Threshhold at 8:15.

BMW

The BMB hears that Alan is feeling adventurous, so it's off to the OK Corral we go! Anyone up for a little hiking this Saturday, since it looks like the gate is still closed. There is a light dusting of snow and frost that makes the place more beautiful than ever, and the hike really isn't that long. Who's down?

BMW

It looks like people are psyched on the Republic, so the BMB will be up there again this Wednesday. Early. Leaving Riverside at 8:00. Any one else want to come? Directions here.

No Black Mountain Weekend

It looks like a good number of the BMBers are out of town this weekend, scattered across the rocks of North America. So no BMW for the next two days, but it picks up again Wednesday.

Black Mountain Wednesday

We are going to be starting the day tomorrow around 10am at The Republic again if anyone would like to join. See below for directions and logistics.

Black Mountain Weekend

BMB ambassadors Dom and Ryan are shooting for Boulder Basin this Saturday. The BMB has heard that the gate is open, but this hasn't been confirmed. Come one, come all, Black Mountain season begins!

New to Black Mountain? Need directions? Download the old Dr. Topo guide here.

Black Mountain Renaissance

People have been climbing very challenging lines at Black Mountain for many decades now. That would be enough time for a large tree to grow up in front of a once classic line not to mention moss and lichen. Point being, for any claims on our part of development, it is implied that it could very well be, and in most cases is redevelopment. The mountain has undergone many eras of climbing leaving little trace behind outside of the Basin and OK proximity. The history may never get fully brought to light, but we will do our best.

Another Wednesday at the Republic has come and gone. Like most new boulders, once you begin to clean and climb, more lines appear. Five Peabody sized blocks have yielded over 30 independent lines not all of which have been completed yet ranging from ultra classic 30ft moderate slab to several double dig steep power problems. It is unusual for the rock on the mountain to allow for such concentrated climbing. Another few days spent here and we can put down our brushes and simply enjoy a fantastic circuit of rare diversity. Or not. With summer rapidly approaching and the bulk of our work being uphill, the days spent at 6000' will be numbered. Rumor has it the gates are open...



No luck yet on what might be the best line in the world...

Dom working out the moves on Forms.

Tim enjoying a morning lap on one of many heal hooking arete climbs at the Republic.

Black Mountain Wednesday

[UPDATE]: We've been working hard at the BMB - look what we have to show for it. The less-than-optimal directions in the original post have been updated. Now with milage!

Black Mountain Wednesdays begin! This wed we are going back to The Republic, finishing up the new development in this cooler, lower area. Everyone is welcome! Come climb the brand spanken' new problems or brush some of your own! Sexy BMBers Ian, Dom, and Chesty should be there at 8:00 or so, and others will be arriving around 10:00.

Directions from I-10: Take the highway 243 exit toward Idyllwild. At 9.3 miles you will pass the Diamond Zen Center sign. At 12.6 miles you will see a small sign for the Black Mountain Trailhead (this is not the same dirt road that gets you to the OK Corral and Boulder Basin). Continue on 243 and pass the caution-taped off spring on your left. The next small pullout on your left has a dirt road in the back of it (13.6 miles on the 243 and exactly 1 mile past the trailhead). Turn onto this road, and follow it through 3 or 4 small stream crossings. After 1.5 miles, the road sort of forks, so trend left through the flat field. Continue as far as you can on the main dirt road until your vehicle reaches its limit. Chesty's sedan can only make it a half mile from the 243, Alan's sedan gets 1.8 miles up, Ian's truck can make it 2 miles, and Jay's Jeep goes a little farther to the large parking area near the end of the road. Regardless of where you park, a quick walk will get you to the large parking area near the end of the road where you will see a giant pile of rocks on your right. Follow the trail down into the gully for two more minutes and you'll see some euphoric boulders.