Courtright over July 4th

[mudworm]

Looks like we (we plus my nephew) will be joining some friends at Courtright over July 4th weekend. We have never been there.

Just wanted to post in case others are interested in joining the party.

[squiddo]

NICE....wish I could but either Meadows or more likely SNP is calling.  Be safe and have fun.....lmk if I can help with questions.

I've been several times and plan on going back. yes, its epic. Incredible area and also some scary run outs. Consider the double set of small tricams to be needed. Never seen a place where one piece of gear is the difference between pro and solo.

I also know you have seen this as well- http://www.stanford.edu/~clint/rep/896court.txt....clint has a few points but I'd like to add: Great rock, no regulations or PoPo, amazing views. If its hot YES its hard to find shelter/shade.


The Mike A book at PG has been blasted by the locals as being incorrect and possible dangerously so. Please note that I cant attest to that but the thread speaks to it on ST.

Power Dome is amazing



View down one PD route



And up one



THE VIEWS!



That backdrop



Add some minor approach while you are out:



Endless Rock

[mudworm]

Thanks Marc! Good info and great photos.

Clint's link again: http://www.stanford.edu/~clint/rep/896court.txt  . And here is his assessment:

My conclusion is that the place may be worth one trip in May or October, if you like 5.9 slabs, but it's not as good as Tuolumne Meadows. It's about a 4.5 hour drive -- more than Tuolumne (TM), less than Needles. Basically, I'd say it's not as good as TM; most of the people we saw there were Fresno locals.  The domes are not very steep like TM, and the holes are not present on the steep faces.  Trapper Dome is steep, but it's short -- both Nosferatu and Orgasm Addict are < 80'. Most of the routes at Courtright are in the sun all day, so you get roasted; in TM you can always choose shade or sun depending on the air temperature.  It's hard to believe that most of the FAs were done in July and August.

Hmmm... almost sounds like a bad idea to visit this time of the year. Hmm...

[squiddo]

Thanks Marc! Good info and great photos.

Clint's link again: http://www.stanford.edu/~clint/rep/896court.txt  . And here is his assessment:
Hmmm... almost sounds like a bad idea to visit this time of the year. Hmm...

Yes I didn't want to say that- its better than the Pinns now!!! It's better than winter? I'm planning a Fall trip:-)

[mudworm]

Yes I didn't want to say that- its better than the Pinns now!!! It's better than winter? I'm planning a Fall trip:-)

Thanks for making me aware. Haven't had time to do research.

[F4?]

There is a place or a few places on highway 108.

You should check them out.

I heard some guy just put a guidebook out.

[mudworm]

SPH... do we have a group there? Mainly, it's the first week my nephew is here, I want to throw him into a group setting. Total immersion style.

[squiddo]

SPH... do we have a group there? Mainly, it's the first week my nephew is here, I want to throw him into a group setting. Total immersion style.

The only "we" F4 has planned are some empty green labels

[F4?]

SPH is perfect. Just don't make a right on 120, stay on 108....

Little me? I'm working....no holiday for me.

[mungeclimber]

Possibility we might be in Shuteye and SPH. Not sure how I'm working that just yet.

[Brad Young]

Bunches of us are going to the Dawson's cabin at Donner.

[Jim]

Hi Erik and mudworm
I've been to Courtright several times and found summer the best due to elevation.  I'll check with the girls about heading there this year for the holiday weekend if you guys are still going.  Have really enjoyed climbing there for quality of rock, locale, views and no crowds.
Jim

[mudworm]

Hi Jim, thanks for the reply. We are in 98% sure. It'll be great if you and the girls can join too. There will be climbers and non-climber families there.

My friend Jeanne said they had been there three years on July 4th and it had been perfect everytime. So maybe the hot summer does not start there until after the long weekend.

[mynameismud]

Fairly sure we will be there since Steve C. and his wife already said they would meet us there so not showing would be rather bad form.

[Aaron McDonald]

Hope you have a blast! I was there about 1 month ago and it was wonderful. We ended up only climbing on Spring Dome and Trapper Dome. The domes are so close to the PG&E camp ground it doesn't seem real. We only saw one other small group top roping over Memorial Day Weekend. If you have another trip planned this summer I am in.

[mudworm]

Thanks Aaron! While Mud and I tend to do things spontaneously, with my nephew around, we may do more planned trips. We will post up when we have a plan in the future.

Talk about campground... So, is it not all dispersed camping there? Would you recommend any camping spot or should we make reservation?

Any references (online or PM)? Marc mentioned MA's guidebooks. I remember flipping through his Shuteye book a while back and was disappointed to find very little logistics information, so I'm not very optimistic on finding info in the Courtright book.

[F4?]

Remember guns and beer...

Watch out...Mungie might just appear @ your campfire.

Right Squiddo?

[Aaron McDonald]

Mudworm,

The best guide is "Southern Sierra Rock Climbing Sequoia Kings Canyon" it is about $200 on Amazon or if you have an AAC membership you could check it out from their library(might be a little late).  I also have Mike Arechiga's Courtright guide but had a hard time reading the topos.  PM me your email address and I will send you the info I collected before our trip. I have some photo copies that might help. Trapper Springs camp groud does not take reservations, but I doubt you will need any. Wasn't even half full over Memorial day. I wish I could go! If you get there in the day light there is a camp site where you can almost belay someone on Spring Dome.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110515&ttype=recarea&recid=64891&actid=29&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003705&pname=Sierra+National+Forest+-+Trapper+Springs+Campground

Climbing Info
http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/California/Western_Sierra/Courtright_Reservoir/

Here is some more beta to read through and print.

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/courtright-reservoir/106032767


Trapper Springs Camp Ground
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/106842285

Successful trip Photos
https://plus.google.com/photos/118417619768789961879/albums/5883436837398996609?authkey=CKLOnr-vnMjsHw

[mudworm]

Excellent, Aaron. Thanks so much!!! An email is going your way.

[F4?]

Sheesh, just have Mr Mud lead up what looks nice.

No guide needed.