Today, we say “Job Well Done!” to our Bishop Climbing Rangers, the Dynamic Duo of Kara Flowers and Casey Fellhoelter, as they diligently provide this season’s final Climbing Conditions Report for May 8 – 11, to help everyone prepare for an upcoming weekend of climbing fun and safety around Bishop. Happy reading!
Conditions Report
After a week of cooler temps, it’s officially that time of year when you start questioning if your chalk bag is just a convection oven. Swimming season is here, go jump in the water 💦 🥵 🤿
Patrols through the Bishop climbing areas are starting to make us crisp up at the edges. With highs nearing 90°F this weekend, it’s going to be hot hot hot. This heat also means an end to the Bishop Climbing Ranger Season. This will be the last conditions report of the season as we begin to wrap things up and make our slow crawl toward the cooler granite of the alpine 🏔️
Moving forward if you’re bold enough to climb through the heat, plan for early starts or evening sessions, chasing shade, and lots of water and sun protection! Heat illness is a serious risk out here, so think ahead about sun exposure, heat avoidance, and hydration levels. ⚠️🥵
🐍Remember the snakes really be out there doing the dang thing, there have been many around the common climbing areas this season, so be sure to keep your dogs on a leash or close by and be cautious where you step. 🔥Fire danger is also very real through the summer, so be cautious!
Here’s how it’s looking:
Buttermilks: Hot, but morning and evening session will be nice, snakes are very active. The big hole in the road to the Pollen Grains has officially been fixed wooohooo!! Take it slow to enjoy the smooth grade and keep it nice for as long as possible. 🎉
Pine Creek: Very much in season, shady climbs will be prime. Be mindful of rockfall in the canyon and don’t hang under the busy crags. Helmets are cool. Please be mindful of parking and don’t park on brush.
Tablelands: Forkin’ hot. Like melt your little tips during the middle of the day. Evenings may cool off nicely. 🫠
ORG: Quite warm but chasing shade will be your friend. Bring lots of water down with you.
Our FINAL Climber Coffee of the season will be this Saturday from 9-11am at Pine Creek, come hang out with us before you pull on that nice granite. ☕️
The Bishop Area Climbing Rangers represent a collaboration among the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Inyo National Forest (INF), L.A. Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Bishop Area Climbers Coalition (BACC), Bishop Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Sierra Forever (formerly Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association or ESIA), and Friends of the Inyo (FOI) to promote climbing conservation in the Bishop, CA, Area – specifically in Pine Creek, the Buttermilks, the Volcanic Tablelands, and the Owens River Gorge. Climbing Rangers support local land managers and supporting organizations by performing a variety of tasks to preserve and maintain our cherished local climbing landscapes.