Joshua Tree National Park

Welcome to life in the desert and the climbers playground of Joshua Tree National Park - This is the view from our tent:

The jet lag / acclimatisation still has us held in a kind of lethargic state of shock. Basic human functioning still requires conscious effort, so the initial idea of climbing every rock in the desert has been toned down somewhat. The mini van has also turned out to be less practical than we require, so we've returned to Joshua Tree town and precured ourselves another tent. This means we have a warm living space once the sun has set, as well as comfortable sleeping quarters. 

It's big enough to sleep four, so actually feels quite palacial.

Having returned from the bright lights of Joshua Tree town, we've settled into our new desert life. The temperatures here are tricky to negotiate. The heat in the sun is as hot at Fiji, but there is no moisture or humidity. (You even have to bring your own drinking water). However a cool wind blows at times and in the shade it's freezing! The landscape is wierd. Blobs of golden granite rocks like giant cairns scatter the plains and the funky looking Joshua Trees are everywhere. Despite the difficulties in transporting it here, the battered remains of my sun hat is still getting some use!

Days seem to be merging into a bit of a blur and usually involve leisurely starts, a bit of a walk and some gentle climbing. It's the kind of place where you can loose a lot of time just 'looking'.

Just near our camp is 'The Headstone' which is one of the iconic rock spires of the area. One afternoon, we strolled over and made an ascent, which was great fun. The climb goes up the SW Arête which looks outrageously steep but actually has a few descent handholds on it. It was quite exposed, but with the faith that more hand holds will appear if you keep moving, we soon found ourselves on top - clinging onto each other in a biting northerly wind!

Later that evening we saw someone else climb the pinacle - this photo gives you an idea of what we were up to...

So as the sun sets (at about 5.40) a full moon has been rising, which has meant that it's not really got properly dark. It's so bright that during the night it's like there is a lamp post outside the tent! I did wake up later in the night when the moon had set and the stars were fantastic. It's been good to see 'The Plough' back and the North Star, having spent so long in the Southern Hemisphere.

As soon as the sun hits the tent in the morning, it's like the lights have just been switched on, and with it, the central heating. Our new tent has a good amount of vents though, so we've not had to dive out with the sudden temperature rise. Camping without clouds, dew or bugs. It's all pretty good stuff really!

In the evening, just before dark, while we were walking back to camp, two Coyotes trotted past us! We didn't know whether to be scared and run, or stop and get a photo - there wasn't really time for either: we just stopped and watched them pass quietly by, then once they were gone, picked up the pace for the walk home!