| Welcome to our homepage. We are the Southern Sierra Climbers Association. Our club is a grass roots organization of locals dedicated to access, preservation, and education for everyone who wishes to learn about issues affecting our climbing past present and future in the Southern Sierra. We do service projects (clean-ups, trailwork, rebolting and Falcon Study assistence), we climb, and always have a good time around the campfire afterwards. With a little help from people like YOU, this website can be a tool used by all viewers to fulfill the goal we all share in common...to do more climbing!!!! Take a look around, and give us a shout...let us know you're interested in connecting with the Southern Sierra climbing community. The theme of this website will be one of building a larger and more cohesive group of Sierra climbers through greater communication and sharing of the beautiful Sierra experience. |
| Southern Sierra Climbers Association |
Welcome To the Southern Sierras!!
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| SSCA News Falcon closure in effect for all south facing routes on Hermit spire!!! The becky route is off-limits!!! Check here for the opening dates. SSCA donates big to the ASCA helping keep climbing safe for everyone. Click here for details Check our Re-bolting page to see which Southern Sierra routes have been redone. Attention Needles climbers!!! Check out the new Rappell from the Magician...routes like black magic and magic dragon finish here. No more bothering Margy. |
Upcoming SSCA Events and Locations for 2008
Todd Gordon to do June 21st Slide Show
This years slide show will be held at Dome Rock (not at the Ponderosa). Dinner will be available for purchase before the
show. The slide presentation traditionally begins after dusk. While climbing temperatures are comfortable evening temps
can be quite cold, so bring your warm and fuzzies and something to sit on!
The Todd Gordon Show - Rad, Trad, and what a tick list!
One of Joshua Tree’s most prolific new route activists has to be Todd Gordon. For years, Gordon held the record for
most climbs put up in the Park, but in recent years, new-route masters Al Bartlett and Tucker Tech have dethroned him.
Now he sits solidly in the number three position.
Gordon is probably most well known as the proprietor of the internationally known (now defunct) Gordon Ranch, a
climber’s refuge which sheltered climbers for over a decade. Todd first climbed in 1972 and started climbing at Joshua
Tree in 1976. Coming on the scene at the tail end of the Stone Master era, he and his small group of friends started
systematically ticking off routes. His curious nature led to a long string of ascents and first ascents that continues to this
day. Most of them are safe with either decent natural pro or adequate bolts. All of his first ascents were put up on lead,
and with only a few exceptions, all were done without inspection or power drills. Gordon was the first climber to climb
over 100 routes in a day, and held the record for a while until the hungry Charles Cole ticked 119.
He’s also climbed extensively in the southwest desert, and is very close to climbing his 100th desert spire. His dedication
to adventure and climbing has given him many wonderful experiences, and includes many trips exploring most major
climbing areas in the US, and excursions to Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. He has climbed over 3400
routes in Joshua Tree.
Gordon recently married Andrea Tomaszewski, another climber and adventuresome soul, so the future looks full of more
adventures. He presently teaches in Yucca Valley, still lives at the now closed Ranch, and enjoys mountain biking and
music.. (bio and photo from Joshuatree.com) The SSCA slideshow will be held in June (exact date to be announced) and
this promises to be one of the most interesting and entertaining shows we’ve had with lots of surpises.
February 11-12 event at Alabama Hills will be different
Although the weather is always a mitigating factor, this year’s Alabama Hills event offers great adventure for all those who
come out to brave the elements. Not only will the climbing be interesting and fun, there will be the extra benefit of being
able to win some cool shwagg. This event will be the first SSCA event that features a game/contest that we will call: Bike
and Boulder Poker. Here’s the game-
Each participant will chip in with ten dollars. Each participant will then receive a map with GPS coordinates that lead to a
series of seven climbs or boulder problems. Each participant then rides, walks, or drives to each of the seven climbs on
the map. After climbing to the top of each formation the climber will be able to select and retain for later, a playing card
sealed in an envelope. At the end of the day, around the campfire, each participant will open all seven of his or her playing
cards and make the best five card poker hand. The winner will receive half the Kitty (the SSCA gets the other half) and a
nice prize. There will also be a prize for the person who uses only a GPS unit to find the problems, the person who finds
and climbs all seven problems the fastest, and for the person who climbs all seven problems in the laziest way possible.
Bring your mountain bike, climbing gear, GPS device, and your best poker face. Don’t have any of those, come anyway
and have fun anyway. This game can be played without any of these things.
Other activities in and around the Alabama Hills:
The Movie Room--126 S. Main Street in the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce courtyard. You can a map to movie
filming locations in the Alabama hills, learn about films that were made there, and much more.
Tuttle Creek—not far from the Alabama Hills and featuring some huge south facing rock walls, this is another great
hike, bike, and climb area.
Horseshoe Meadow and Round Valley—this is quick access to the high Sierra and snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking
with beautiful views of the Owens Valley.
Virtual Tours of the eastern Sierra
The Alabama Hills event is scheduled for weekend of February 11-12, so mark your calendar. Look for more
details in your email after January 12th.
- February 9/10, 2008- Alabama Hills, Hosts: Patrick Paul and Kenny Stroub
- April 26-27-- Owens Ridge, Host: Jim Schrodt
- May 24-25 —Bart Dome, Host: Daniel Moor
- June 21st Todd Gordon Slideshow at Dome Rock
- Hosts: all board members participate, annual meeting, fundraiser, membership drive.
- July 12-13—Buck Rock, Host: Patrick Paul
- August 2-3—The Balls, Host: Matt Schutz
- September 13-14 —Kings Canyon, Host: Eric McGee
- October 18- (or exact date of full moon) Tollhouse (Face-off) Host: Ken Stroub
- November 8-9—New Jack City, Host Patrick Paul
Todd Gordon to do June 21st Slide Show
This years slide show will be held at Dome Rock (not at the Ponderosa). Dinner will be available for purchase before the
show. The slide presentation traditionally begins after dusk. While climbing temperatures are comfortable evening temps
can be quite cold, so bring your warm and fuzzies and something to sit on!
The Todd Gordon Show - Rad, Trad, and what a tick list!
One of Joshua Tree’s most prolific new route activists has to be Todd Gordon. For years, Gordon held the record for
most climbs put up in the Park, but in recent years, new-route masters Al Bartlett and Tucker Tech have dethroned him.
Now he sits solidly in the number three position.
Gordon is probably most well known as the proprietor of the internationally known (now defunct) Gordon Ranch, a
climber’s refuge which sheltered climbers for over a decade. Todd first climbed in 1972 and started climbing at Joshua
Tree in 1976. Coming on the scene at the tail end of the Stone Master era, he and his small group of friends started
systematically ticking off routes. His curious nature led to a long string of ascents and first ascents that continues to this
day. Most of them are safe with either decent natural pro or adequate bolts. All of his first ascents were put up on lead,
and with only a few exceptions, all were done without inspection or power drills. Gordon was the first climber to climb
over 100 routes in a day, and held the record for a while until the hungry Charles Cole ticked 119.
He’s also climbed extensively in the southwest desert, and is very close to climbing his 100th desert spire. His dedication
to adventure and climbing has given him many wonderful experiences, and includes many trips exploring most major
climbing areas in the US, and excursions to Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. He has climbed over 3400
routes in Joshua Tree.
Gordon recently married Andrea Tomaszewski, another climber and adventuresome soul, so the future looks full of more
adventures. He presently teaches in Yucca Valley, still lives at the now closed Ranch, and enjoys mountain biking and
music.. (bio and photo from Joshuatree.com) The SSCA slideshow will be held in June (exact date to be announced) and
this promises to be one of the most interesting and entertaining shows we’ve had with lots of surpises.
February 11-12 event at Alabama Hills will be different
Although the weather is always a mitigating factor, this year’s Alabama Hills event offers great adventure for all those who
come out to brave the elements. Not only will the climbing be interesting and fun, there will be the extra benefit of being
able to win some cool shwagg. This event will be the first SSCA event that features a game/contest that we will call: Bike
and Boulder Poker. Here’s the game-
Each participant will chip in with ten dollars. Each participant will then receive a map with GPS coordinates that lead to a
series of seven climbs or boulder problems. Each participant then rides, walks, or drives to each of the seven climbs on
the map. After climbing to the top of each formation the climber will be able to select and retain for later, a playing card
sealed in an envelope. At the end of the day, around the campfire, each participant will open all seven of his or her playing
cards and make the best five card poker hand. The winner will receive half the Kitty (the SSCA gets the other half) and a
nice prize. There will also be a prize for the person who uses only a GPS unit to find the problems, the person who finds
and climbs all seven problems the fastest, and for the person who climbs all seven problems in the laziest way possible.
Bring your mountain bike, climbing gear, GPS device, and your best poker face. Don’t have any of those, come anyway
and have fun anyway. This game can be played without any of these things.
Other activities in and around the Alabama Hills:
The Movie Room--126 S. Main Street in the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce courtyard. You can a map to movie
filming locations in the Alabama hills, learn about films that were made there, and much more.
Tuttle Creek—not far from the Alabama Hills and featuring some huge south facing rock walls, this is another great
hike, bike, and climb area.
Horseshoe Meadow and Round Valley—this is quick access to the high Sierra and snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking
with beautiful views of the Owens Valley.
Virtual Tours of the eastern Sierra
The Alabama Hills event is scheduled for weekend of February 11-12, so mark your calendar. Look for more
details in your email after January 12th.
The SSCA is committed to:
- Securing and maintaining access to climbing areas in the Southern Sierra.
- Promoting the stewardship of climbing resources.
- Fostering safe and environmentally sound climbing ethics.
- Unifying climbers into an effective, responsible and service oriented community.
- Collaborating with local, state and national climbing organizations to promote the
interests of all climbers. - Maintaining a positive image of climbers.
- Being a social club that organizes group climbing, skill clinics and other interactive
activities.
| El Capitan, the Sentinel, and the Cathedrals from El Cap Meadow summer '06 by Matt Schutz |
| High in the Minerets by Dave Daly |