I'm stuck in the Pahrump library today while my vehicle is being worked on so I thought I'd post some stuff from last week.  Don't expect the same frequency or informational depth as the Beardilocks thread.  I don't usually take photos but I'll try to share some stuff from time to time.

I'm currently on a quest to climb every mountain in Death Valley, and mixing in a healthy amount of random canyon exploration for variety.  I'm up to around 60 at this point but I've been told of a list the NPS keeps of ~200 summits which I am eager to get my hands on.

Last week I went up Echo canyon and knocked out Schwaub, Winters, Rockfall, and Nevares.  I took a few photos along the way of stuff I found interesting.

I drove to the end of Echo canyon road, past the Inyo mine and started my hike from there.  The summit block on Schwaub had a really nice pattern and color.



Winters peak was quick and pretty boring so I went to Rockfall that same day.  I didn't have any beta on the climb so I just picked a good looking route from the topo and went for it.  There were some really neat rock formations on the ridge climb up, including a few small arches.



Once I got up to the ridge I could see the rest of my path.  Rockfall is the peak on the right.



Working my way around the upper rock fin on the left, I ran into the densest cactus field I've ever seen in Death Valley.  The terrain was otherwise very easy but had to take my time working through the cactus.



I actually ended up having a loose cactus needle pierce my left shoe and go into my foot on the return trip.  Then after stopping to pull it out with pliers, not ten steps later the same thing happened to my right foot.  Sheesh!

There was a larger arch nearing the summit of Rockfall.  I guess not surprising they're numerous in the area considering the nice arch in the canyon floor.



On the next day I went up Nevares Peak.  I thought this shooting gallery on the way was interesting.  Is it used for firearms practice?  The flagpole on the far left has an ammo box at the base with a plain red flag in it.  Maybe they hoist it up when the gallery is being used?  No idea.  I traced my path up Nevares in the background.  It was a fun climb on weathered limestone slabs, and so while very steep, very manageable since shoes stick to it like glue.



That's all for now!

Brice, love your sense of adventure and photos, so keep it up. Oh yes, and back to your point and not to needle you too much, but thanks for placing your best feet forward in that cactus field. You should make a cameo appearance in a Road Runner vs The Wylie Coyote cartoon?

(2023-02-14, 03:11 PM)DeathValleyDazed Wrote: Oh yes, and back to your point and not to needle you too much, but thanks for placing your best feet forward in that cactus field.

Can we get this guy banned? 

(2023-02-14, 03:34 PM)Brice Wrote: Can we get this guy banned? 

Probably but not until you and Beardilocks view this video I captured of you two motoring on out into the wilds of Death Valley for another "desert dirt bag" adventure. lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmIWZwTglbk

Oh wow i love photo #5, what a crazy contrast between the black volcanic? stuff and the multicolored hills behind!

Very nice peak bagging!

Here's the lists of John peak lists. It will keep you going for a while
https://www.listsofjohn.com/NP/?W=91

Yes, that is the NPS shooting range. Diconnet says you can't go up that road but we asked at the VC and they guy at the desk said it is fine as long as law enforcement is not shooting. So he called them and said "OK, no problem today". So we went up. We were hanging out around the cabin when they started shooting . So yes, they put the flag up to show active firing.

Did not make it to the summit of Schwaub, thanks for the look. Been up Winter and Nevares, both relatively low hanging fruit but well worth the time!

Thanks for posting!

(2023-02-16, 05:26 PM)MojaveGeek Wrote: Very nice peak bagging!

Here's the lists of John peak lists.  It will keep you going for a while
https://www.listsofjohn.com/NP/?W=91

Thanks, I didn't think to check LoJ.

Jesus dude. Four in one week ain’t bad. I absolutely cannot keep up with you.

As far rambling about nothing and posting waaaay too many pictures, no you probably can’t be as boring as me. 😂.

But I’d be stoked to just see the view from every peak you hit. That would be dope.

(2023-02-16, 08:41 PM)Brice Wrote:

(2023-02-16, 05:26 PM)MojaveGeek Wrote: Very nice peak bagging!

Here's the lists of John peak lists.  It will keep you going for a while
https://www.listsofjohn.com/NP/?W=91

Thanks, I didn't think to check LoJ.

A list of 99 major peaks here:

https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=50182

(2023-02-17, 12:54 PM)John Morrow Wrote: A list of 99 major peaks here:

https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=50182

Just passed the halfway mark on that list today. But Beardilocks succesfully wooed an NPS ranger into giving up the list of ~200 they consider "worthy." So now I'm all set for a while.  Gonna re-do corkscrew tomorrow to check off "little corkscrew" that's on the same ridge and on the new list!