Scott Bennett is a CAMP USA athlete based out of Colorado, who has spent the last few years climbing big routes and beautiful peaks across North and South America. He is teaming up with partner Graham Zimmerman for a series of presentations. They will be showing photos and video in Golden, CO in Boulder, CO and in Seattle, WA.
We just received this final update from CAMP USA athlete Justin Licther about his ski trip through the high Sierra.
I got back home last night after completing the Sierra Ski Trip. All in all, despite the lack of snow this year, this was a great trip and really good experience to get my gear and systems dialed. In two weeks and well over 250 miles skiing, there was a mixed bag of conditions and terrain to try everything out on. This ranged from walking across dirt patches with our skis on, to hiking in our ski boots, scrambling through house-sized talus with some class 4 and low class 5 moves in ski boots, to actually skiing.
During the past week, the conditions improved greatly for skiing since the majority of the time was spent over 8000 feet elevation. Up high in the lakes basins and heading up to the high passes the conditions were optimal. The skiing was fantastic and the lakes were still frozen, which made for direct lines, good glide, and little side-hilling, not to mention fun, slightly out-of-control downhills. By the last week, my body was feeling good and used to the motions, so an average of about 20 miles per day was not out of the question, including a few 30 mile days. At the beginning of the trip, we were hard pressed to get 15 miles in a day. In the last week, basically following the Pacific Crest Trail/John Muir Trail corridor through the High Sierras, I went over 8 high passes, covered about 130 miles, and broke another camera. I am not sure how but right after the last town stop in Mammoth the camera lens stopped working.
Bummer, but that is the life of a long distance hiker. This is probably the fourth or fifth
camera that I have had break in the backcountry. Other than the camera breaking, a few big blisters, and a couple of painful bruises on my achilles from the ski boots, the trip was fun and the scenery was amazing. It was great to see the Sierra extra early in the season and fully "Nevada" (Nevada means snowy in Spanish).
A few days ago I even saw bear tracks at 8500 feet elevation. The terrain was completely snow covered still, so I was very surprised to see this so early in the season. I still am wondering what the bear was doing up there since there obviously wasn’t much food yet.
I think that’s all for now. Time to go relax and get some Ben and Jerry’s.
CAMP USA Athlete Scott Bennett and partner Brad Gobright have completed a huge linkup in Zion National Park, combining Sheer Lunacy, Monkey Finger, Moonlight Buttress, and Shune's Buttress in 19 hours.
Bennett and Gobright's day follows Nik Berry and Mason Earle's 2012 linkup, which did not include Shune's Buttress, and a March 2013 linkup of Moonlight, Sheer Lunacy, Touchstone Wall, and Spaceshot by Honnold & Caldwell. Bennett and Gobright's start time was limited by the NPS shuttle schedule, so the pair didn't begin hiking toward theie first climb until 7:30AM, and they returned from Shune's Buttress (their final route, climbed entirely by headlamp) at 2:50AM.
Bennett says "The CAMP Ovo belay device was the MVP, since we did so much belaying on Brad's 80m 9.8mm. I'm sure my shoulder would've fallen off belaying with an ATC after so much pitches."
Their rack for the endurance splitters typical of Zion was remarkably small, just a double set of cams to a .75 camalot, a single #1, #2, #3, and an extra .5 camalot for Moonlight Buttress.
They nearly called it a day after climbing the first 3 walls, but fired up a jetboil for some impromptu espresso at midnight, and then headed off to Shune's Buttress, fully-caffeinated.
"We each took a fall on Sheer, and also on Monkeyfinger", laments Bennett. "I fell on Sheer because of a broken handhold, and on Monkeyfinger because of pure exhaustion."
One of the greatest things about being a climber or skier is the opportunity to see beautiful new places while doing what you love. Climbing trips keep us motivated to train hard, inspired to learn new skills, and grateful for the variety of peaks and crags that each offer something different.
But flying anywhere with your climbing gear can be an enormous pain.
Jesse Mattner is the man in charge of CAMP USA, but between working 70-hour weeks in our Colorado office, Jesse is always ready for the next climb. He recently snuck out of work for a couple days and caught a Spirit Airlines "discount" flight from Denver to Las Vegas. The plan was a quick ascent of The Rainbow Wall in Red Rock. And apart from the extreme weather advisory and intermittent snow squalls, there was only one hitch in the plan.
The $100 carry-on.
That's right, Spirit Airlines charges between $35-$50 each way even for a carry-on bag, as long as it is reserved in advanced. But if you assume that it's free to carry on a small bag, and arrive at the gate without reserving it, you will be charged $100 each-way! That makes even the casinos near Red Rock seem like a pretty good deal.
Facebook fans of CAMP USA suggested flying on Southwest Airlines (free checked bags, in addition to free carry-on) as well as flying enough (or having the right credit card) to earn free first checked bags on major carriers. Here are a few other tips to flying with your mountain gear, and not paying an extra arm and a leg.
And don't forget to read all the fine print when it comes to baggage fees, no matter which airline you choose.
For anyone on Colorado's western slope, here's your chance to see perma-psyched CAMP
USA athlete Rob Pizem share stories and photos of climbing in Cuba!
May 1, 3012 Colorado Mesa University
- 7:30PM -
University Center Ballroom Room 235
Rob Pizem will be the speaker for the CMU - Wednesday Night Wandering.
Rock climbing in Cuba has been American climbers' forbidden fruit since the cold war.
Come and join Rob Pizem on May 1, 2013 as he shares whether Cuba and the climbing is worth the hype.
Learn what you need to know about travel, lodging and climbing in one of the United States closest and exotic neighbors.
The slide show is free, but donations will be collected for the Western Colorado Climbers Coalition.
CAMP USA athlete Paige Claassen calls Oregon's Smith Rock State Park her favorite crag on earth. In between working (and sending) a classic 5.14 testpiece of this iconic area, Paige has developed a few do-not-miss routes, foods, and rest-day activities that are perfect for anyone visiting the area, no matter if you are working on 5.5 or 5.15.
When choosing a destination for your next climbing trip, the climbing can’t be the only determining factor. While climbing is important, the weather, food, people, and hangout are considerations that must weigh in as well. For this reason, Smith Rock is undoubtedly my favorite crag in the world. At Smith, you get world class climbing without giving up any creature comforts AND the locals are welcoming. What could be better? I think nothing. So without further ado, here are 5 things you can’t miss at Smith.
1. Zebra Zion: This classic 3 pitch 5.10 is so fun you’ll have trouble finding a time when no one is on it. But it’s worth the early alarm to beat the crowds – the final 5.9 pitch is unbelievably fun, and leads to a great lookout over the entire park.
2. Trail running: The perfectly manicured trails of Smith Rock State Park provide endless opportunities for runners of all levels. Take the flat trail back to the Monkey for a leisurely jog or the steep route over Misery Ridge if you’re feeling ambitious.
3. Whipping off a slab: Whether you like it or not, it’s bound to happen. So embrace the fact that you are likely to fall while run out 15 feet above a bolt. Choose your belayer wisely and enjoy the ride!
4. Watch the locals run laps on your project: Churning in the Wake, Heinous Cling, Disposable Heroes. They’ll claim it’s easier for them because they’ve done it 300 times. Even so, it’s impressive.
5. Chocolate banana bread pudding at the Terrebonne Depot: You won’t be disappointed by any choice on the menu, but this delicacy is to die for. If you must, save it as a reward on send day. But in case you don’t send, swing by and grab a piece for the ride home.
We just got an update from CAMP USA athlete Justin Lichter (AKA Trauma) who is in the midst of a 500-mile ski tour along the corridor of the John Muir Trail. He's at a resupply stop in Mammoth Lakes, and had this to say about the trip:
Pepper and I pushed hard yesterday to get to Mammoth Lakes, CA. We are getting organized and resupplying now for the next stretch. We skied into town under headlamps and moonlight in a ~30+ mile day. We camped a few miles south of Tuolomne Meadows in Yosemite the night before and had the most favorable conditions of the entire trip while heading over Donahue Pass and Island Pass. We even had some pretty good turns and corn snow on the descents. For the most part, the snow conditions have been less than optimal. Below 8000 feet elevation it is a mixed bag. We have had to bushwack through thick brush with our skis on our packs, make our way through talus fields with house sized boulders in our ski boots, and hike at least 15 miles of clear, snow-free trail in our ski boots. We should be higher most of the way through the next section, but we have still decided to add the burden of carrying a lightweight pair of shoes just in case.
The first couple of days were chilly and snowy. The weather has nowtransitioned to full-blow sunshine and intense solar radiation. At times I notice that I am still squinting despite wearing sunglasses. The fords have been cold, with ice often flowing in the rivers, but none too overwhelming. The biggest thing is the lack of snow. At times we are forced to zig-zag around to stay on snow instead of being able to travel a straight line. All in all, the trip is going well. We have covered about 110 miles now and are excited to get into the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park tomorrow.
It's our favorite time of year, when we get to finally deliver the new gear R&D has been slaving over. New products include updates to the historic Tricams including the all-new Tricam Evo with 3 placement possibilities, three new styles of locking carabiners, the already popular Supernova women's harness, a complete overhaul on chalk bags including the first-ever chalk bag specifically designed for alpine conditions, and new packs for ultralight mountain running and fastpacking.
Check out all the New Products HERE NOW!
CAMP is renowned for making the lightest piece of gear in nearly every category we sell. Ski Mountaineering, especially competitive ski mountaineering, is no exception. Please enjoy this new product article highlighting the many attributes and recent developments in the wonderful word of CAMP Skimo!
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