Outdoor Video Magazine

Check out last years Warren Miller flick. This is just a trailer but I have to say it’s one of the best. The movie is definately worth the money, it’s around $40 Canadian. It was shot in HD as well which makes it look amazing. You can buy it at www.warrenmiller.com or just go to your local ski shop.

Seeing as I’m still preparing photos from my last hike in the Nordegg area, I thought I would fill today with a collection of videos featuring bouldering problems in Joshua Tree, California.

I like this one….mostly for the sound track. It features White Rastafarian, a V3 problem in J-Tree. One big, high boulder. A nicely produced video.

Here the Chuckawalla V6 with a sit-start is done. The video lacks atmosphere though….where’s the pumping climbing soundtrack?!

ANother nice looking V6, Rasberry..and again…no music! Just wind. Jeez guys…

Here is someone completing “Dark Matter”, a V10 rated problem at the Underground in Joshua Tree. Looks pretty hard to me…

This video features the Betty Jo Yablonski problem, rated V1 R. The video is pretty long and shot very plainly, not the best climbing video out there!

Length: 54.4km
Time: 5-8 Hours
Book: Mountain Biking in the Canadian Rockies - Doug Eastcott
Elevation: 1500m - no net gain/loss.
Date done: June 2006
Effort: Medium
Rating: 9/10
Technicality: Moderate
Map: Not needed.

This ride is out and back on 100% singletrack. It goes right along the shore of Lake Minnewanka, and it’s awesome fast, rolling, techincal (in places), rideable singletrack. Just don’t get too excited and knock a hiker off a cliff. Park at the North side of the Lake Minnewanka dam. Mountain bikes ARE allowed on this trail, so don’t take stick from the hikers.

There is not much to describe about this trail. It just goes on and on by the lake. But that makes it sound repetative and it certainly isn’t. The views are gorgeous of the mountains across the lake, there is lots of lake access if you want to cool off (summer only!), and the riding is never boring. Continually twisting and turning with rocks, roots and short rises and inclines there is nothing to slow you down or tire you out. It’s fast, continuous fun. I don’t know whether I was having a good day, or whether it’s the nature of this trail, but when I did it I didn’t tire at all and felt like I could ride forever at speed. The riding gets more techincal as you approach the warden’s cabin that marks the end of the ride. You then get to enjoy it all in reverse on your way back. It’s one trail I didn’t mind backtracking.

Mountain bike! The Canadian Rockies

Backcountry biking in the Canadian Rockies - Gerhardt Lepp

The “Happies” are part of the Volcanic Tablelands located just north of Bishop, California. The area contains hundreds of bouldering problems. There are lots of nice traverses and a lot of high problems too. Make sure you bring that extra thick crash pad. There are problems rated from VB to V14.

The video below is an extremely watchable bouldering video based in the Bishop area. Gives you a great idea of the best problems, and maybe a few tips for how to complete them too.

Also right by the Happies is the Buttermilks, at a higher elevation. In fact the name Buttermilks often refers to the Happies too. Bishop is just a bit of a climbing mecca really. Check out this awesome video by Momentum Video Magazine. Unfortunately the link won’t take you straight there (grrrr flash sites). You’ll have to hunt for it. I’m sure you’ll get distracted by the multitude of other awesome content though. Interestingly, despite the website being www.momentumvm.com, while we’re www.outdoorvm.com….there is no relation between us at all! I just came across their site the other day. Its a great site, keep it up guys.

Be warned….summer is very very hot for climbing. The rock is black, you’re in the desert, in full sun. Fall, winter and spring are considered the best times to boulder in Bishop.

Location
Getting there from Bishop: Go North on Highway 6 about a mile. Take a left on Five Bridges Road and continue until you get to the gravel plant, then take a left on Chalk Bluff road and go 2.3 miles. Park next to the kiosk and washroom.

Getting there from Yosemite: Take 395 south to Pleasant Valley Dam Road. Take a left on PVD and drive for a couple of miles until you hit Chalk Bluff road, just after the camping area on the left. Take a right on Chalk Bluff Road, parking is a mile or so further on by the kiosk and washroom.

Once parked the trail leading into the canyon is behind you going uphill.

Bishop Bouldering details more than 2000 problems at this internationally popular climbing destination, providing complete coverage of the Buttermilk Country (including outlying areas like Dales Camp and the Pollen Grains), The Happy and Sad Boulders, The Druid Stones, and Rock Creek and The Sherwin Plateau (north toward Mammoth). Bishop Bouldering also showcases the region s bouldering with hundreds of color photographs, including stunning action shots from pro shooters like Dan Pattitucci, Jim Thornburg, Stephan Denys, Simon Carter, and Wills Young.

I don’t know much about climbing, I only started in January. And I know even less about ice-climbing. So why am I writing on this topic you may ask? Well I’m not..it just looks like I am. I came across some cool ice-climbing videos on YouTube. They feature what is billed as the greatest ice climb in the Canadian Rockies. It’s the Polar Circus, located 27km North of Saskatchewan crossing in Jasper National Park. It’s a 700m V5 (that means its pretty hard I think, haha).

The videos linked below show some great climbing footage, and also a lot of background chit-chat and preparations. Something the avid ice-climber will probably enjoy. It is in 3 parts, each video around 6-8 minutes long. Enjoy!

Part 1 - Polar Circus Ice Climbing Video

Part 2 - Polar Circus Ice Climbing Video

Part 3 - Polar Circus Ice Climbing Video

So after browsing Youtube again, I have found a couple of videos to give you a taste of some of the hiking trails I mention in my Hiking New Zealand - South Island post. There is an EXTENSIVE 4-part video detailing ‘Group 75’s‘ (I don’t know where they got that name. They seem to be from somewhere in Asia) trip along the Milford Track. This is long winded (to say the least)…I would recommend letting the video load all the way and then just watch it while skipping the boring parts. They had pretty rainy weather..but that’s fairly normal for Milford so it does give you an accurate representation! Gives you a feel for the terrain and the trail itself (i.e. an easy stroll/paddle haha)

Part 1 of the Video (skip to 4minutes to see the start of the hike)

Part 2 of the Video - good shots of trail and huts. And rain.

Part 3 of the Video - Good shots of trail and huts. And some more rain.

Part 4 of the Video - Some Milford Sound shots. But the hike is over.

This video is mostly a photo slideshow with a bit of short video showing off the Rees-Dart tramp. All put to some relaxing electronic chill-out something. Yes, I know nothing about music.