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Rock Climbing

Climbing Conditions Report

Conditions Report by Climbing Rangers: 12/20

CONDITIONS REPORT:

We have arrived at the solstice, the peak of winter darkness. After this weekend the sun will begin to shine on longer days ahead. Come celebrate the magic of winter solstice and the shortest day of the year by giving back to the land, and getting your hands in the dirt at our stewardship day in the Happy Boulders (will happen unless the government shuts down)!
You won’t wanna miss this one… we have native plants to put in the ground, trails to delineate, native seeds to spread, vertical mulch and new signs to install, and a whole lotta fun to have this Saturday, 11-2pm after climber coffee! Climbing luck will surely follow you into the new year if you attend.
In the event of a government shutdown, we will unfortunately have to cancel so stay tuned… Hopefully the grinch doesn’t steal our stewardship event.
Partially sunny skies all weekend with general highs in the 50’s-60’s depending on your elevation. Moisture may begin to move into the area on Monday of next week.
Owen’s River Gorge: 
Good but very windy conditions expected Saturday. As usual, river crossings are icy in the mornings so use caution.
Pine Creek: 
South facing crags are melted out! The PSOM slabs, Superfun Site, and Lamb Canyon remain snowy and seepy but the majority of the Scheelite and Cyanide Cliffs have melted. Scheelite/Pratt’s Crack Canyon is very icy and cold. If you choose to venture here, microspikes would be nice to have while belaying and travelling between crags. Saturday in particular looks windy so pack layers and windbreakers.
Buttermilks: 
Watch those pads as you climb Saturday! You wouldn’t want to be high off the deck while your pads tumble away across the high desert. Temps will be chilly but variable, so pack lots of warm layers! Please don’t continue driving around the big hole on the road to the Pollen Grains! Cutting into the desert to get around bad sections of road is super lame. If you don’t have high clearance/4wd just don’t drive it!
Volcanic Tablelands: 
More wind protected than other areas for Saturday, it could be almost hot! Expect busy conditions with ideal weather through the weekend. Come to the Saturday stewardship event!
☕️Bishop Climbing Rangers
Sierra Forever

ROAD CONDITIONS 📣
**For the latest information on conditions on the California State Highway System, please visit the Caltrans QuickMap website at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or download the app to your smartphone. You can also call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). Tioga Pass is CLOSED for the season to Yosemite. 

Written by:

Bishop Climbing Ranger

The Bishop Area Climbing Ranger position is a collaboration among the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Inyo National Forest (INF), LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Bishop Area Climbers Coalition (BACC), Bishop Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA), and Friends of the Inyo (FOI) to promote climbing conservation in the Bishop, CA. Area – specifically in Pine Creek, the Buttermilks, the Volcanic Tablelands, and the Owens River Gorge. Climbing Rangers will support local land managers and supporting organizations by performing a variety of tasks to preserve and maintain our cherished local climbing landscapes.

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