Amazing trip to Joshua Tree! On Saturday we arrived somewhat late (due to leaving late from the Bay Area the day before), and did Illusion Dweller and Sail Away/something else there - then we ran into Karen and Wen! And we were very lucky to get a spot in Hidden Valley for the next 2 nights - best campground! Although the insane winds kept us up for a lot of the night.

On Sunday, we went to Jumbo Rocks where I had never been, and did Colorado Crack/Spiderman/Gem/Desperado (on TR). Then we drove to Lost Horse area and did Bird on a Wire, which has a spectacular pitch (we linked pitch 2 & most of 3 into one superb 65-70 meter journey).

Monday was North Overhang, which I had wanted to do ever since I came to JTree for the first time, and it didn't disappoint. Then we did Double Cross, moved to the Exorcist and the very memorable Diamond Dogs, before starting the drive back home with full satisfaction.

	Blooming cactus at the base of the Dweller	The Illusion Dweller in full sun (but with a breeze)	Starting up the Dweller

		On most of the climb, you're fighting the "barn door" feeling and stemming on the right

	Melissa on the Dweller	Pulling the crux roof	On the 5.9 next to Sail Away (which we did next)

	Sail Away	Our amazing camp site for 2 nights	Idyllic

		Sunset, Saturday night	Hiking to Jumbo Rocks through this neat slot

	Spiderman	Karen on Spiderman with another party on Colorado crack

	Starting up Gem, cruisy 5.8 (but very sharp rock!)	Gem

	Wen on Spiderman	Melissa on Desperado, desperate 5.10d	Karen on Spiderman

	Melissa on Colorado Crack, with me belaying from the rappel bolts	Karen starting up Bird on a Wire, excellent 5.10a on Lost Horse Road	At the base of Bird on a Wire

	Karen on the business pitch of Bird on a Wire	Wen and Karen on Bird on a Wire (65 meter pitch to the cave)

	The crux section

			On the cruiser section after the crux

	View from the top of Bird on a Wire		The climb!

		My Joshua Tree hat	Starting up North Overhang

	Me with the overhang on the left	Karen pulling around the lip

	Karen and Wen on North Overhang		On the best 5.7 ever (and my first climb in JTree), Double Cross

	North Overhang start, a slightly awkward flare	Melissa on Double Cross

	Walking to the Exorcist	With my new hat!	Amazing jams on the Exorcist

			Getting over the roof is easy, once you are there

	Wen starting up the Exorcist

	Diamond Dogs - a very memorable 5.10a - starts with undercling/lieback of the flake, then up the slab above	Happy to be tall - I got an initial piece in the roof before starting :)	After the crux

	Right before transitioning onto the face	Melissa on the Exorcist	On the runout but easier climbing

			Cranking

		Melissa after the underclingfest. Shows the steepness and minimal footholds!

	Diamond Dogs, before the face climbing	Karen on the undercling section of Diamond Dogs