January 9th Conditions Report:
Our thoughts and hearts are heavy with our community that has been impacted by the fires that continue to rage in the L.A. area. We hope our friends to the south are safe and that we see you around Payahuunadu soon. If you are seeking refuge in the Bishop area, please reach out if you need resources or aid.
Conditions this weekend will continue to be unseasonably warm making for pleasant climbing. That being said, the wind that is making the fires burn so wildly down south is expected to continue blowing here in the Eastern Sierra as well. Saturday threatens to be windy enough that crash pads could blow away so make sure your spotters are watching those pads.
  • Pine Creek: Snow has largely melted away making most walls climbable! While windy conditions Saturday are likely to make climbing unbearable, Sunday should be perfect to hit sunny, south-facing crags. The entirety of the canyon seems to go into the shade by 3 pm this time of year, so get an early start. Wear helmets as rockfall is very common this time of year during freeze-thaw cycles. The road beyond the Cyanide Cliffs pullout is still a bit icy so use care if travelling past here.
  • Buttermilks: Expect windy conditions Saturday! High clearance and 4×4 is still needed to access Get Carter and the Pollen Grains. We will be sure to update everyone if/when the road is repaired. The Buttermilks can be especially busy this time of year. Expect crowds and limited parking. We received complaints from utility crews last weekend of folks driving too fast around them as they were trying to work. Please slow down!
  • Owens River Gorge: North trending winds on Saturday could make for a windy day down in the ditch, but less wind is forecasted for Sunday.
  • Tablelands: Crowds expected through the weekend. Could be quite warm, but shady pockets will be pleasant. Lots of restoration efforts are being made in both the Tablelands and the Buttermilks. Please stay on trail and out of restoration areas to allow these areas to try to revegetate (this includes bags, pads, tripods, and pets).
Climber Coffee will be at the Central Gorge parking lot this Saturday from 9-11 am.
ROAD CONDITIONS 📣
**For the latest information on conditions on the California State Highway System, please visit the Caltrans QuickMap website at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or download the app to your smartphone. You can also call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). Tioga Pass is CLOSED for the season to Yosemite. 
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 will support local land managers and supporting organizations by performing a variety of tasks to preserve and maintain our cherished local climbing landscapes.