SOYO weekly favorite pics thread

[Jerry]

You just need to spend some time at our house for some wildlife encounters. We see deer, bear, bobcats, foxes and coyotes all the time and occasionally even a lion, all from the living room or while having a meal on the deck. 20 or so years ago a lion took a deer in the yard while the kids were playing outside, they were very content watch videos the rest of the day! We live in their territory not the opposite.

I am curious though about one sighting I mentioned to John and Susan a couple of years ago. It will be two years ago next month that I showed them the apptoach to Magic Wall. On the way back to the truck I saw a dark grey lion from about 50 feet away. It had absolutely no fear of me but I didn't feel threatened at all and enjoyed the leisurely encounter. Has anyone else ever seem or even heard of a lion this color?

[John]

I wonder what you saw that day Jerry. There are Jaguars in the American Southwest and there have been plenty of sightings of escaped exotic pets, legal and illegal, that have really confused people over the years, like monkeys and the like.

Those motion activated cameras that hunters use catch crazy stuff every once in a while.

We saw another huge cougar at Red Rocks, far to the right of the Brass Wall area, around the corner facing town. Sue was downhill from me and looks into some boulders and sees a dead sheep. As she is turning to tell me how stinky it was, I see a giant cougar come out from the other side of the same boulder she was looking under and bounds away up the hillside. Really close call.

[Jerry]

[NateD]

Sweet shirt! Never heard of Winterhawk. Location or company?

[Jerry]

A company from 30 or so years ago, long gone I imagine. If I remember correctly they were back east somewhere.

[susan]

What a nice shot Jerry!
 

[susan]

[mungeclimber]

Is that Natty D?

[susan]

Not Natty D. Huhuh. Sounds like a beer name. Must be getting to be that time.

[susan]

The last photo was Jeff at Wawona.

[jeff]

Hey,  I resemble that remark.

I am loving it over here in June Lake but Wo Dome is just one of the many things I am missing.

[susan]

Glad to hear you are loving it out there, Jeff. Won't you have great climbing year-around now? So much rock out there you must have found some areas as serene?

[jeff]

Yep,  climbed in the ORG yesterday.  Funny how I am more scared climbing at Owens than most places I climb.

I am going ice climbing today,  then back to the Gorge tomorrow.  June Mtn opens on fri,  although I am not sure how good that will be with the lack of snow.

As far as serene climbing areas,  I am sure when I get off the beaten path I will find a ton.  For now I am able to enjoy great climbing with the masses.

[mungeclimber]

scared climbing at Owens than most places I climb.

why so?

the loose layer of choss on top that falls inward when the heavy winds kick in? 

So want to get back to the Gorge. Miss that place.

Jeff, Hartley Springs (when dry again) is way fun casual bouldering right there. But probably under snow right now.

Take a look at Lower Rock Creek for some potential choss.

[susan]

It is funny. I guess it's being used to one thing over another.  And maybe you've got your guide hat on around crowds, seeing the many possibilities for things that could go haywire? Climbing where there's greater solitude, there's less distraction.

Plus does something happen with those who put up routes for so long that maybe you just prefer the way you would leave routes over the way others do? 

Anyway, I like Owens but would take the Gray hood over it most any day of the week just to be able to hear wind in the trees and birds beep.