A couple of friends from High Sierra and I got to get outside today and take advantage of this beautiful, 80-degree weather we’re having and do a little rock climbing!
The spot: “Big Rock” at Perris Lake near Riverside, CA (about an hour from main campus).
After all the training and experience we received last semester and some extra time in the gym and reading up on some climbing books, we were ready to head out and do a little climbing on our own. We left at about 8:30 AM, were climbing by 9:30, and had a good 5 hours on the rock. It was a great spot for learners. There were all different types of routes and difficulties, and it gave us quite a few challenges that were fun to work out.
We’re planning on heading back soon as it’s so close to campus! It definitely beats climbing in the gym…
Now I know not everyone takes away the same lessons and experiences from High Sierra. My reasons for going were far different than many other people on my semester. But that’s the beauty of the program. It has something for everyone. My interests reside in the outdoors – rock climbing, cycling, hiking, etc. Others’ reside in art, in relationships, in music, or a number of different areas. The great thing about High Sierra was that not only did I get to dive in deep into a world where I was able to feed my passions on a daily basis, but I was able to acquire a complete circle of other experiences.
Coming away from Bass Lake, I was able to take a new passion of mine – rock climbing – and learn so much about it. Now I have the experience needed to continue that passion here in LA with some friends on the weekend. But the great thing is: rock climbing is just one of the dozens of experiences that made my semester what it was.
And I think everyone who’s been to High Sierra could say the same: you go in expecting one thing, and take away something completely different.
Big Rock (about 23 routes all together)
Dan setting up his brand new rope
Kenton checking out his cut finger
Justin stretching out the lat's
Myself moving up a 5.9
