Spring Road Trip- Yosemite Scenery

A typical Yosemite Valley scene- Bridalveil Falls (on the right), El Capitan (on the left) and the Merced River (in the foreground).

Lexi and I spent some of our time in Yosemite hiking around and checking out the scenery. The best part about the spring in the Valley is the waterfalls. The big name ones are running full bore and there are lots of seasonal waterfalls making appearances on the granite walls.

Upper Yosemite Falls

Half Dome at sunset

Spring Road Trip- Bishop To Yosemite

Goodbye to the Buttermilks

After a wonderful two weeks in Bishop, it was time to hit the road and head to our final destination- Yosemite. We decided to spend a day checking out Giant Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and a night camping out at the beautiful San Joaquin River Gorge.

Lexi donated some skin to the Buttermilks on our last day of climbing. So much for the hand modeling career.

Giant Sequoia National Park

Christian setting up for a big dyno on the sculpted granite of the San Joaquin River Gorge. Night swimming and bouldering by headlamp made for a fun evening.

Spring Road Trip- Bishop, Pt. 3

Christian Prellwitz pulling hard on the classic 'Thunder' (v3).

On Thursday, Lexi and I headed to one of the under appreciated gems of the Bishop bouldering scene- the Druid Stones. This beautiful spot sits perched above the Owens Valley, overlooking the town of Bishop. The bouldering is excellent, offering some of the best quality rock in the Bishop vicinity. What keeps this area from exploding with popularity? A thirty to forty minute energy draining uphill slog. Though the hike was long, hot and dusty, both Lexi and I were happy that we made the trek. It was amazing having rock of this quality all to ourselves.

Christian Prellwitz getting started on 'Blood Kin' (v1) as cloud storms linger over the Sierras.

Lexi working her way up the perfect patina of 'You Can Cry If You Want To' (v1). The town of Bishop can be seen in the background.

Christian Prellwitz pulling down on the immaculate crimps of 'Kredulf' (v4).

Spring Road Trip- Bishop, Pt. 2

Ancient Bristlecone Pine

Lexi Tuddenham climbing the classic 'Bourbon IV' (v0-) at The Dreamers.

Lexi on 'Flaggelate Rush' (v0) at The Dreamers.

Lexi on an unnamed v2 at The Checkerboard Area. The Buttermilks Main Area can be seen on the hillside in the background.

Christian nearing the finish on 'Choice of Weapons' (v4) at Rock Creek.

Lexi smiling atop 'Blob' at the Pollen Grains.

Wish You Were Here

Photos from two separate evenings soaking in the hot springs at the Keough Hot Ditch, located about fifteen minutes from Bishop. A good way to end a climbing day.

Spring Road Trip- Bishop, Pt. 1

From Ibex we headed to the bouldering mecca of Bishop. This place is incredible in the quantity, quality and diversity of the climbing. Words fail so here are some photos from our first few days.

Pics: (above) Christian Prellwitz crimping on the immaculate stone of 'King Tut' (v3) at the Buttermilks Main Area. (below) 1-Lexi Tuddenham bearing down on the pointy crimps of 'Wavy Gravy' (v2) at the Happy Boulders. 2-Lexi Tuddenham trying to figure out the starting moves of the 'Buttermilk Stem' (v1). 3-Christian Prellwitz high stepping on the sharp and powerful 'The Rail Problem' (v3). 4-Lexi Tuddenham levitating her way up the mostly holdless 'Robinson's Rubber Tester' (v0).

Spring Road Trip- Ibex

After leaving Joe's Valley, Lexi and I headed to Ibex, in the remote western Utah desert, for a night of camping and a day of climbing. The weather proved far less windy than last year, but also much warmer. In spite of that, it was fun to spend some time pulling down on the unique stone of Ibex. Lexi struggled with the power and reach required on many of the problems but persevered in the end with some proud sends. I was happy to track my progression by climbing several problems that had previously stumped me.

The pics: Lexi Tuddenham checking out the opening moves of an unnamed v1 on the The Cow Boulder. The empty desert unfurls in the background. (below) Lexi pulling hard on 'Defused', a very beautiful and powerful v2.

Spring Road Trip- Joe's Valley

Lexi and I began our spring climbing trip on Sunday, the 19th. We spent a couple of very productive days in Joe's Valley with both Lexi and I climbing many personal projects. We didn't take very many pictures since we were so immersed in the climbing.

Here are a few: (above) Christian Prellwitz going for the mono on the classic highball 'Michelangelo' (v3/4). (below) Lexi Tuddenham doing a variation to 'Black Gold' (v2). (further below) Lexi again on 'Black Gold', this time heading the normal way.

Eternal Sunshine- Bouldering At The AEC

It's really a blessed life. Wake up to bluebird skies. Pick up a breakfast sandwich and coffee at the local bakery. Make the meandering drive through canyons and over mesas, past bald eagles and pinyon jays, out of the mountains and into the open expanse of the desert. Park amid a sea of sandstone blocks and swim around through the junipers and pinions looking for that perfect line of crimpers and pockets.

It's the process and all the moments in between that make the experience, that elevates clumsied movement to imperfect poetry. Sunshine gives life to belief, and belief informs action, lifting us up to heights we'd only imagined.

The pictures:
(above) 1-Christian Prellwitz sticking the edge on the initial crux of 'Black Streak' (v3+). 2-Lone Cone and Petroglyph Crag linger in the background as Lexi Tuddenham journeys out onto 'Ship's Prow' (v1+).
(below) 1-Lexi Tuddenham sticking the pinch on 'Roadside Attraction' (v2). 2-Lexi again, this time on 'Easy Up' (v0+). 3-'Lake Lover' (v0). 4-A different take on a familiar problem: Christian styles the finishing pulls of 'Ship's Prow' (v1+).

Around The Bend

It's really about the moments. The highs and the lows. What we receive and what we give. The places bring back memories of scouring winds, middle of nowhere diners, sunshine and warm sandstone. The canyons provide the medium. We provide the story. Success and failure, smiles and frustration. And all we can hope for is the opportunity to do it all again.

The pics: (above) Christian Prellwitz prepping for the business on 'Kelly's Arete' (v5). (below) 1-Christian moving through the difficulties of 'Sling Blade' (v4). 2-Lexi Tuddenham styling her way up 'Todd's Easy Arete' (v2). 3-Lexi about to take her own 'Bitter Bite' (v3). 4-Beautiful sandstone.