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Summit Rock

Skyline-Sanborn County Park

Skyline-Sanborn County Park Links:

December 12th, 1998

1.0 miles
100 vertical feet

Rating: 7/10

Directions:   View Driving Map


If you want to go: Take Highway 9 west; turn left on Skyline; park on the left a couple miles up the road. There's a lot and trailhead sign. It's easy to miss the lot, so keep your eyes peeled.

Jean, Kane and I did some rock climbing at Summit Rock in Skyline-Sanborn County Park.

Christmas trees

We started the day by going to Mt. McPherson, the Santa Cruz county highpoint. It's on private property, and only open for 3 weeks during the year -- as a Christmas tree farm. Jean picked one out for chopped it down herself! $25 for any tree -- such a deal!

Jean standing next to her next victim

Jean checking out the view

Afterwards, we checked out Indian Rock, where there were a few rock climbers hanging out.

Then, it was on down the road to Summit Rock. The hike out is only about a half mile. There were already about a dozen climbers there already. Kane walked to the top to set up the top rope. This was his first experience setting up a top-rope. Thankfully, there was an experienced climber there who guided him as he set it up. Kane anchored the rope; the most exciting part was when he then flung the rope over the edge. Jean and I thought he was going to take himself with it, as he was standing much too close to the rope for comfort. He ended up throwing the rope into a tree. After gathering the rope, he tossed it again and again hit the tree. Fortunately, the people at the bottom were able to yank it off the tree, and we proceeded to the bottom to start our climb.

Jean started up first, with Kane belaying. There were cracks most of the way up, so she was able to use the opposition. The climb was rated 5.7. This was her second time climbing outdoors. After she went up and rappelled down, I strapped my harness in to start my attempt, Kane belaying. I'd done a fair amount of climbing at Planet Granite, but this was my first time outdoors. I'd done 5.8 climbs without too much difficulty at Planet Granite, but this 5.7 was harder than many of those. The main thing was that I'd never gone up a crack before, so it was a completely different experience for me. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy. Fun!

Jean halfway up; Kane belaying

After I rappelled down, I belayed Kane on his climb. Then, as the sun started to fade, Jean went up a second time.

Almost there!

The environment itself was generally nice. There are nice views of the Santa Clara Valley, and the vegetation is fairly lush, since it gets a lot of moisture from fog along the coast. The only downside was the numerous cigarette butts and broken beer bottles lying everywhere. It's really disgusting to look at; I'm sure it's people coming up to watch the sun set or after dark, hanging out, drinking beer...I doubt very much that it's climbers or hikers doing the polluting.


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