Field notes
The Journal.
Gear guides, skin care, and training notes from climbers who actually use this stuff.
Field guides
Pinned Start here · Area guide
Lake Tahoe Bouldering: A Granite Guide
Where to boulder around Lake Tahoe: the best granite zones, when to go, access and Leave No Trace, and how to gear up for Sierra friction.
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Glenbrook Bouldering (Lake Tahoe East Shore): A Granite Field Guide
A field guide to Glenbrook bouldering on Lake Tahoe's east shore: the roadside satellite boulders, when they're in, and classic granite problems from V1 to V8.
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Mecca Bouldering (The Zephyrs, Lake Tahoe): A Granite Field Guide
A field guide to Mecca bouldering in The Zephyrs on Lake Tahoe's east shore: directions and parking, the banana-belt season, and classic granite from V1 to...
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Kingsbury Grade Bouldering (South Lake Tahoe): A Granite Field Guide
A field guide to the Kingsbury Grade granite boulderfield above South Lake Tahoe: roadside access off Hwy 207, when it's in, and classics from V1 to...
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Rainbow Bouldering (Truckee / Donner Pass): A Granite Field Guide
A field guide to Rainbow bouldering near Truckee: the Donner Pass granite, the Big Bend approach, when it's in, and classic problems from V2 to V10.
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D.L. Bliss Bouldering (West Shore Tahoe): A Granite Field Guide
A field guide to bouldering at D.L. Bliss State Park on Tahoe's West Shore: lakeside granite, the state-park access (dogs not allowed), season, and classics V0...
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Castle Rock State Park Bouldering: A Sandstone Field Guide
A field guide to bouldering at Castle Rock State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains: the sandstone, parking and fees, the wet-rock rule, and classic problems...
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How to Clean a Chalk Bag: Empty, Wash, Dry, Refill
Yes, you can wash a chalk bag. The trick is getting the chalk out first and drying the liner completely before refilling.
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Best Chalk Bags for Rock Climbing (2026): What Actually Matters
We compared 7 chalk bags for rock climbing: Black Diamond, Metolius, Mammut, Arc'teryx, Organic and ours. Real prices, what matters, and how much chalk to put...
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Erratica Bouldering (Highway 88 near Kirkwood): A Granite Field Guide
A field guide to Erratica bouldering off Highway 88 near Kirkwood: parking, navigating the boulder field, when it's in, and classic granite problems from V3 to...
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Chalk Bag vs Chalk Bucket: Which Do You Need?
Do you need a chalk bag for bouldering? Usually not: a bucket does the job better. When a bag wins, when a bucket wins, and when...
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How-ToHow to Brush Climbing Holds (and Pick the Right Brush)
Which climbing brush to get and how to use it: boar vs nylon bristles, sizes for crimps and slopers, technique, and outdoor etiquette. Boar-bristle brushes, $10.
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BeginnerBeginner Bouldering Gear: The Complete Checklist
A no-nonsense beginner bouldering gear checklist from real climbers. What's essential, what's nice-to-have, and what you only need outdoors.
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