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Bishop has a population of 3,879 and an elevation of 4,150 feet,
the feel is similar to Bend with dry arid high desert terrain and tall
snow capped mountains to the west. Like Bend, Bishop also has
a population of outdoor enthusiasts and great access to skiing
and riding in the winter and climbing in the summer. This town has
become a world renowned bouldering mecca with over 2000 prob-
lems. The boulders are all sizes, from small to huge, and some even
bigger than a large house or building. The rock is a mix of volcanic
tuff and granite. Downtown Bishop has a Western facade similar to
Sisters and many Western films were staged there including some
starring actors like John Wayne and Charlton Heston.
While we were there we met up with the rest of the BEA climbing
team that drove down in their own vans. Every year we camp in the
main bouldering area, called the Buttermilks, me and my brother
stay in tents and my parents sleep in our van. We keep going back
because of the unique climbing style Bishop offers and the oppor-
tunity to meet climbers from all over the world.
Bishop has problems that will challenge beginner and intermediate
climbers and could keep you climbing for days and even months on
end. There are also endless expert problems to frustrate even world
famous climbers, like Alex Honnold who’s has spent a lot of time
training here. At one time, Alex even rented an apartment in Bishop
so he could improve his bouldering skills. The rock in Bishop is very
sharp, so if you need to rest your fingers you can either go sport
climbing on the finger friendly rock of the Owens River Gorge, or
you can go to one the many hot springs just outside of town. After
one especially tiring on the rock at the end of our trip, we relaxed
at Crowley Hot Springs, watching the sunset over the snow capped
Sierra Nevada.
All photos this spread
by Michael Franklin
Climbers:
Right: Mira Capicchioni
Below: Forrest Franklin
Opposite page: Max
Franklin
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