Joshua Tree and Death Valley
February 24 - March 1, 2016
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The twins' first trip down to Joshua Tree - it was amazing! We met Dow there, who was beyond awesome and flexible and allowed us to get lots of climbing done - thanks! It was busier than expected, given it wasn't a holiday/school break, but he was able to reserve two campsites on Wednesday in Ryan Campground. Being centrally located and with short drives meant more climbing! The kids also experienced their first campfire, which they loved (the flames were mesmerizing) :)

On the way home, we detoured through Death Valley to see the 'superbloom' of wildflowers - and it was absolutely worth it... photos do not do it justice. The expanse of wildflowers in a normally vast desert was simply breath-taking.

  The day before we left Truckee, the kiddos are bundled in the chariot :) Mono Lake views never get old! Stopping on the side of the road to eat and do some exercises! :)  
  The day before we left Truckee, the kiddos are bundled in the chariot :) Mono Lake views never get old! Stopping on the side of the road to eat and do some exercises! :)

  George enjoying our late night stop in Sawtooth Canyon, just south of Barstow (actually a climbing area!) We arrived in Camp Dow, Joshua Tree :)  
  George enjoying our late night stop in Sawtooth Canyon, just south of Barstow (actually a climbing area!) We arrived in Camp Dow, Joshua Tree :)

   
 

  Melissa loving JTree, on the first climb she requested - Double Cross :) pure fun My belayer is distracted by babies  
  Melissa loving JTree, on the first climb she requested - Double Cross :) pure fun My belayer is distracted by babies

  Melissa after the crux  
  Melissa after the crux

  Coolest belayer dude ever Not a bad place to eat lunch! :)  
  Coolest belayer dude ever Not a bad place to eat lunch! :)

   
 

  Bodie's totally passed out Flying Dutchman (we didn't climb it) :)  
  Bodie's totally passed out Flying Dutchman (we didn't climb it) :)

   
 

  Dow on a sandbagged 5.10b right of Banana cracks  
  Dow on a sandbagged 5.10b right of Banana cracks

  Pulling the crux face moves on toprope Visiting this place will be interesting once the kids can walk... Nice place to lounge and climb  
  Pulling the crux face moves on toprope Visiting this place will be interesting once the kids can walk... Nice place to lounge and climb

  Climbing Right Banana Crack  
  Climbing Right Banana Crack

  Left Banana Crack Introducing the kids to selfies  
  Left Banana Crack Introducing the kids to selfies

  Bath time in the camper!  
  Bath time in the camper!

  Elaborate setup at the base ZZZZ direct  
  Elaborate setup at the base ZZZZ direct

   
 

  The hangout!  
  The hangout!

   
 

  Zoe picking the next route to do... Dow coming up Potato Head, 5.10+ with a decent runout  
  Zoe picking the next route to do... Dow coming up Potato Head, 5.10+ with a decent runout

   
 

  Nice place for a nap :) Waiting for Dow to build the campfire :)  
  Nice place for a nap :) Waiting for Dow to build the campfire :)

   
 

  First campfire for the whole family :)  
  First campfire for the whole family :)

   
 

  napping not napping  
  napping not napping

  A 5.10 on the  
  A 5.10 on the "left hand of darkness" with a pretty spicy thin start

  Melissa on the left route, Left hand of darkness  
  Melissa on the left route, Left hand of darkness

  Another great nap location  
  Another great nap location

  Where are we going now? What a great place to camp :)  
  Where are we going now? What a great place to camp :)

  Kiddos are napping in the camper before dinner While mommy and daddy hang out outside Some photo staging :)  
  Kiddos are napping in the camper before dinner While mommy and daddy hang out outside Some photo staging :)

  with Dow ;) Zoe watching the campfire  
  with Dow ;) Zoe watching the campfire

  Cool rock formations in Mojave National Preserve on the drive to Death Valley. Must research existing routes...  
  Cool rock formations in Mojave National Preserve on the drive to Death Valley. Must research existing routes...

   
 

   
 

  Artist Drive  
  Artist Drive

  Interesting color!  
  Interesting color!

  The Lone Pine skyline Skating in the Euer Valley  
  The Lone Pine skyline Skating in the Euer Valley

  The twins are 5 months old!  
  The twins are 5 months old!

  A quick run on the Legacy trail before the storm hits Joshua Tree panorama  
  A quick run on the Legacy trail before the storm hits Joshua Tree panorama

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