Recent Posts

41

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Quest for Mud (Special Edition)

« Last post by beanolar on January 25, 2026, 11:16:09 AM »

Holy cow, the condor action was up top yesterday!




(^^ this was on the formation downhill of Abuela Conchinita)
Jesse and Deb had a nice run up abuela. Jesse's trying to get into Pinns leading and this was a good one for him (he sends his thanks, B&B)

Deb got this video of the condor action (sound on):
https://flic.kr/p/2rTwK9u


Few more shots from the day:





I asked Kim how many birds she saw - she said 6 or 7


It was way more than that

42

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Quest for Mud (Special Edition)

« Last post by beanolar on January 25, 2026, 11:10:02 AM »

hahahhaha

that exceeds my child imposed radius 
How long is your leash?

43

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Quest for Mud (Special Edition)

« Last post by Atomizer on January 24, 2026, 07:34:28 PM »

Hello .. I'm looking for recommendations for reasonable 5.6-9s with some sun. The forecast looks cold!

Thanks!!

You should check out this place:
https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105731932/red-rocks

44

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Climbing Advisories and Closures 2025 (Protection of Nesting Birds of Prey)

« Last post by Gavin on January 23, 2026, 02:53:33 PM »

Thanks for the report - much appreciated! At this point the peregrine falcons in that area are still just exploring, but I’ll keep an eye on where they end up focusing their efforts. They tend to occupy / defend the cliffs at Machete as well as the main face of Balconies. I’ve seen them inspecting historic nest sites at Balconies as well this month, and that is where they have nested for the past several years.

We’ll see what they end up doing.

45

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Quest for Mud (Special Edition)

« Last post by beanolar on January 23, 2026, 01:18:39 PM »

Hello .. I'm looking for recommendations for reasonable 5.6-9s with some sun. The forecast looks cold!

Thanks!!

46

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Hardest solo?

« Last post by Atomizer on January 23, 2026, 07:50:36 AM »

How did you descend? Downclimb the same route?

I rapped down Ranger Bolts to work the moves.

47

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Feather Canyon approach: East vs West?

« Last post by looks easy from here on January 22, 2026, 06:35:19 PM »

Also, I suggest not taking a pack on the route.

QFT. I had my first attempt completely derailed by heavy packs. Protip: don't bring a professional photographer with professional photography equipment on this route.

48

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Hardest solo?

« Last post by looks easy from here on January 22, 2026, 06:30:26 PM »

The joke's on you - Smiling Simian Easy Route got bumped up to 5.2 in the new book. So, the soloing odyssey is two grades higher....

Don't tell my mom! I'll be in more trouble than I already was.

I've soloed the Monolith Regular Route. So you guys lost the glory, yet it is deserved for such an ascent.

How did you descend? Downclimb the same route?

49

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Climbing Advisories and Closures 2025 (Protection of Nesting Birds of Prey)

« Last post by Runout on January 22, 2026, 08:18:37 AM »

From below.

50

Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles / Re: Climbing Advisories and Closures 2025 (Protection of Nesting Birds of Prey)

« Last post by Runout on January 22, 2026, 08:08:34 AM »

There was a peregrine that seemed like it was exploring what might be a nest, about 3/4 of the way up Machete Ridge, directly above Dos Equis. We were climbing on Dos Equis. The bird was getting into a bombay chimney and dropping tiny pebbles down on us. This was the morning of Sunday 1/20/26.