There is so much space around here! Everywhere you look there is desert; rocks and Joshua Trees stretching out far into the distance. We climbed a route described as 'classic' yesterday. It seems that the term 'classic' loosely translates around here as 'flared off-width cracks that are hard to protect and desperate to climb'. I managed to tussle up to the top with most of my skin intact and without shredding my clothes on the rough rock and afterwards resolved to seek out more aesthetic and protectable lines. Still, the view from the belay was pretty good.
To get some shade, we tested out the awning on the minivan over lunch, and it was actually pretty good. Over an egg butty session, we sat an watched various climbers noisily yee-ha, whoop and cheer each other upwards on a nearby climb. There were some spectacular falls, but they seemed relatively undeterred by these, as long as plenty of high fives were available afterwards.
We've also spent quite a bit of time just exploring around the desert. There are so many nooks and crannies, caves and corridors that the whole place really is a big adventure play ground. The formations are amazingly sculpted, although I don't know the geology behind it all.
We've just headed out of the National Park, and are staying in a small town, which is a sort of oasis in the desert called 29 Palms, while we freshen up, refuel and plan our next moves...
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