The Bishop Area Boulders, Sad Boulders
Mick writes:  One summer's day in '96 I walked up this canyon looking for another Happy Boulders. It was so hot I could have fried an egg on some of the boulders. Approaching from the Chalk Bluff Road I passed some impressive formations but most were decaying. It didn't look very promising. Hence the Sad boulders. The following Fall, development started in earnest with the ascent of Strength In Numbers the most striking line in the canyon. Soon after a few hearty souls: Doug McDonald, Mike Melkonian, Marty Lewis, Bruce Pottenger and myself developed the Prozac Nation bluff. Later more euros: Kevin Thaw, Wills Young and Chris Leube, joined in the fray, followed by 'Smoking' Joe Missack, Seth Carter, and Rio Rose and before you knew it the Sads was a worthwhile venue, and not Sad at all. More open than the Happy Boulders, one of the Sad's endearing features is its great views of the neighbouring mountain ranges. Climbing is found on the bluffs and in the narrow, well-sheltered, boulder-chocked canyon. One of my favorite areas, especially in the spring

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Doug McDonald on "Firepit", V0+
FA: Doug McDonald, photo: Walling


PROBLEM INFORMATION: 100+ problems from VB to V10
There is a topo available to the problems at this area from RockFax.com.

The Prozac Nation Bluff is vertical to slightly overhanging and provides one of the best circuits in the area, with about 30 diverse problems. You'll be wasted if you complete all the recorded problems here. In the canyon things get a little steeper. The Ice Caves are good fun but are limited unless you can crank V10. But be sure to check out I Married A Victoria's Secret Model V2/3. The Strength In Numbers boulder is classic and hard (V4 to V7). Wander down to Central Joyless for some moderate fun, and don't miss Rio's Crack area (V4 to V8) which has the best rock in this area. Slabs and pocket traverses? Check out the Sad Parrot area. The Pinnacle of Dysphoria is the place for moderate highballs. The Sads also has it's fair share of easy moderates, and some harder stuff, right next to the car at the Kindergarter area.

Hard Stuff - Ice Caves V10, Leubering With Intent V8, Rios Crack V6/7,
Strength In Numbness V7, Come Together V7,
Thaw V7, Strength In Numbers V6.
All grades and verbage, Mick Ryan


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