Pinnacles: cult following?

[MudMittens]

It seems to me that climbing at the Pinnacles has a cult stature similar to that of climbing offwidth cracks. I have never met anyone impartial to climbing at the Pinnacles- they either love it or hate it. To me, climbing is climbing- and If you're climbing you're having a blast, and if you're not it sucks to be you. Our beloved "choss" is one of the most interesting and captivating kinds of rock that I can imagine climbing on and if you can't find fun in it, then you're climbing for the wrong reasons (not to mention the beauty of the location). A little loose rock, adventure, and respect for ethics, afterall, is what separates rock climbing from pulling on plastic. Why does climbing at the Pinnacles have such a cult following? Is it just the occasional (or more) loose hold, or is it deeper than that?

[F4?]

It's closer than yosemite. Was too cheap to drive to the valley...and just kept going.

[mungeclimber]

self-selecting substrate?


you summed it up

[Atomizer]

There is definitely some serious Pinnacles phobia out there. Whats wrong with all those other climbers, I can't believe they think they have something better to do then climb on what amounts to ancient mud.

I love Pinnacles but I can't imagine driving more then 4 hours to get there, I would fly around the world to climb at Arailpailles, Ceuse, or on El Cap.  Solid rock is key to a good experience to most climbers and who even knows what Brecia is, it just sounds sketchy.  That is not saying that others rocks are easier or any less adventurous.

Mittens, you are just one of the people that are open enough to see the "full picture" of climbing at The Pinnacles. The mentality I was taught when learning to climb has always been about having fun despite where you are or what you're on or how many buckets you just filled with rock.   But I wonder if the ability to love climbing at The Pinnacles is a hardwired genetic trait or something that is culturally influenced.  The first place I ever went climbing was at the Pinnacles, so my exposre to it was early, But I didn't have anything other then breccia, plastic, and Masters of Stone videos to measure it by. You learn whats around you.

I'm not sure if Pinnacles is a cult thing, or if it is breed out of necessity of needing a place to climb. 

[mungeclimber]

I'd drive 4 hours for volcanic very similar to Pinns, but more unique or larger. Actually planning on it this year.

[mynameismud]

To put in simple context; It is the best place in the World.

[squiddo]

I love climbing at the Pinns. I consider it a beautiful day, full of adventure and with plenty to do. Its a great place no doubt. If the Valley or more solid rock were closer though I'd visit few and far between.

[F4?]

Plus it depends on who you are climbing with....

My original partner hated the place, I think.

I met Munge, who took me to the High Peaks....Fun, got me more interested.

I then met Mr Mud and Brad through Munge.....they turned me on to all the obscure and routes. Plus Pinns is just about the only place Mr Mud will climb at. Heck, he left JT to stop off at. So then it became a place of habit.

It must just grow on you....

[Brad Young]

Maybe I better not post anything of substance to this thread.

[squiddo]

Maybe I better not post anything of substance to this thread.

Must, resist, need

[waldo]

I admit I suffer dissonance when I return from Tuolumne or Courtright, but I'm with Dorothy:  there's no place like home.  And it's infinitely better than Kansas.

[skully]

It's a cult.....

[MUCCI]

I was introduced to the pinns by some old hardmen. All of whom cut their teeth there in the 70's.  They instilled upon me a style and passion for adventure i would not trade for the world. 

From what I have gathered, speaking to my mentors, Pinns was the place to escape, go climb a new route, all by yourselves.  They all carried a high reverence for those who walked the routes before them.  Stories of early ascents of "modern classics" that you would never recognize, for how much they have changed.

Bold efforts, ground up, were standard.

This is what I try to emulate at my own level.  At the pinns, your search for adventure is never quenched.  Even if it is just a 3rd class stroll the park, it may just be your best day climbing ever.

Every now and then I catch myself looking at the flowers, or stunning lichen, and remember that this place is one of a kind.

A cult means a following.  No two pinns climbers are the same.