Boulderfest!
Boulderfest! The Snow Valley Bouldering Guide
I spent a lot of time wandering through the forest in and around Snow Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. Initially because I was bouldering there. Over time, I became more infatuated with exploration, discovery of new areas, and development of new problems. As the injuries mounted and ultimately lead to the end of my climbing career, my “I’m going bouldering” trips meant no climbing shoes, chalk bag, or crash pad–just a pencil, a note pad, and a camera. I came back not with blisters and bruises and tales of “there I was”, but another page or two of virgin stone discovered and documented for the guidebook.
Consider this a historic document of bouldering at Snow Valley and a few outlying areas. It is not intended as a comprehensive guide to bouldering in the San Bernardino Mountains, nor does it claim to be completely up-to-date. The majority of this guide as written several years ago, but never published. Now, thanks to the wonders of print-on-demand publishing, I think the time is right to finally release this as a printed guide. A lot of newer problems are missing, as are some entire new areas. And some of the areas and problems may not be too easy to find with the directions and topos provided. But think of all the fun you’ll have thrashing through the manzanita, trying to find the Electric Sun Boulder. You just might stumble across the last unclimbed formation in Snow Valley.
I sometimes go back up to Snow Valley, just to walk through the boulders and reminisce. It’s amazing how a random piece of imperfect stone in a hidden corner of the forest can bring back a rush of such wonderful memories. It makes me think about getting the trusty old Five.Ten Anasazi’s out of the attic, blowing the dust off the chalk bag, and doing a couple laps on the easy problems on the ABC Boulder. The knees, the tendons, the rotator cuff, the elbows, and other miscellaneous body parts would surely protest, but when it comes to masking pain, a few minutes of elation works better than a whole bottle of Advil.
Snow Valley
Overview
Bouldering Areas
Snow Valley West
Overview
The Incognito Boulders
The Mediocre Boulders
The Fatso Boulders
The Highball Boulder
The Warm Up Boulders
The Lotus Boulders
The Diamond
Orca
The Anthill
The James Bond Boulders
Jalapeno Cracks/The Wave
Call of the West
Snow Valley Central
Overview
The Block
The Tranquility Boulders
The Maze
The Wasteland
The Hobbit Boulders
The Old Man
The Boneyard
The Masta Blasta
The Heffeweizen Boulders
Timbuktu
Snow Valley East
Overview
Little Green Valley
The Wild Iris
The Little Hall of Horrors
The Brain
Snow Valley North
Overview
The Wacky Boulders
The Roadside Distraction Boulders
The Suicidal Boulders
The Indifferent Boulders
The Happy Happy Joy Joy Boulders
The Who’s Your Daddy Boulders
The Pile-Up Boulders
Snow Valley South
The Vampire Boulder
Snow Valley: Secret Stash
Introduction
Highball Heaven
The 20 MPH Boulders
The Singletrack Boulders
The History of Snow Valley Bouldering
1996 Snow Valley Boulderfest
1996 Snow Valley Boulderfest Results
1997 Snow Valley Boulderfest
1997 Snow Valley Boulderfest Results
1998 Snow Valley Boulderfest Results
Children’s Forest
Introduction
Overview
Kindergarten Rock East
Cobra Cracks
Shady Cove East
Shady Cove Central
Shady Cove West
