Fossil Falls
Climb Review
On my way to Alabama Hills, I stopped by Fossil Falls for an afternoon climb with old and new friends after being on the road for 7 hrs.
The walk to the Upper Falls from the trailhead is less than a quarter mile with small and large rock all around.
There is no shade up top, which means it’s hot setting the anchor. It’s nice and cool in the ravine though.
Sigmoid Crack (5.10; Upper Falls)—I tried my best on this route, but just could not navigate a short section where I’m pretty sure a hand jam is required. With the rope feeling like pulling me off and what not, I just wasn’t in the right headspace to send it. I think I’m capable of sending it though, so I gotta come back and push through with crack climbing gloves (which I had left in my backpack at the top of the route).
What I Learned
Basalt rock can be so slippery and so grippy all at the same time. The areas where the water eroded the rock was super smooth while the rest of the rocks were more like the rocks that I was used to at Cragmont.
I gave a crash course on rappelling to Sarah and that was super fun. I taught her the same way I was taught in my anchor class; it was so cool to see her get more comfortable and actually rappel down. I was super proud of her.
Last time I had come here, I really wanted to hike down but ended up not doing it due to time. This time, I did get to hike down and that part was super fun. I do love scrambling up/down rocks.
Fears Faced
With the anchor being overhung, I just felt really uncomfortable on the route and it made me so scared that when I came off and spun around, I got a bit nauseous. I got myself under control and tried to send it a second time, but I just need to try this a few more times to get more comfortable.
Friends
I climbed this with Jerry, Sarah, Mike, Shari, and Marina. Jerry sent Birdshit Crack, a 5.7 rated climb just left of Sigmoid Crack—super cool! I helped Sarah do her first rappel, so that was awesome. Shari also rappelled down and it was really cool that she was there, as she doubled checked the anchor and the impromptu handhold that we used to get the person rappelling into position. Mike, Marina, and I all got to the same spot on the Sigmoid Crack and although we weren’t able to send it, it was really fun giving it our best.
What Happened?
I had wanted to climb Fossil Falls as soon as I got into rock climbing. With this rock climbing trip (a guided trip that was organized by Coalition Crag), I thought it’d be cool to break it up a little bit with some rock climbing on the way to Alabama Hills, and thankfully my friends agreed.
Marina, Sarah, and Shari got to Fossil Falls first, with me right behind them. Jerry soon joined us and we headed off to set up the anchor while Mike sped to Fossil Falls. At Upper Falls, we hiked around a bit to find the anchors and we set it up after spotting them.
Mike, Marina, Jerry, and I hiked down to the bottom at different time and we tried out best climbing Sigmoid Crack and Birdshit Crack. We also messed around with some boulders at the bottom of the falls and just had a great time climbing and hanging out.
After about three hours, we hiked back up, cleaned the anchor from the top, and continued on our journey to Alabama Hills.