Winter living locations?

Hey, just want to say thanks for all the ideas! I didn't think I'd get this much input this quickly. All great stuff to consider.

+1 for Grass Valley/Nevada City.

mountainhick wrote: For us, there is comfort and a feeling of home with trees and forest that does not exist in the desert. Great to visit, do it several times a year, but it is not home.

The Southeast is your place, then. I know several people who have done summers in CO and winters in Chattanooga. Seems like a good rotation. Many small towns near climbing can be found around SE Tennessee. Bring guns and banjos.

David A wrote:+1 for Grass Valley/Nevada City.

What are the winter crags in these areas?

mountainhick wrote: Re: Kernville, is it subject to the horrible Bakersfield smog?

No, Not at all.

Based on your criterion southern Arizona would prolly be ideal.

May I suggest something outside of Sacramento , like the little town of Auburn .

A close second would be something on the western slope of the Sierra , not too high , a town like Placerville or Folsom comes to mind ...

vincent L. wrote:May I suggest something outside of Sacramento , like the little town of Auburn . A close second would be something on the western slope of the Sierra , not too high , a town like Placerville or Folsom comes to mind ...

IF you love winter fog....

JCM wrote: The Southeast is your place, then. I know several people who have done summers in CO and winters in Chattanooga. Seems like a good rotation. Many small towns near climbing can be found around SE Tennessee. Bring guns and banjos.

Agree

The whole grass valley/nevada city/ auburn thing is a joke. It's cold, wet (except this year with the drought) closest crag is a joke of a crumbling quarry in auburn that you are only allowed to climb on weekends and Tahoe which is amazing..in the Summer. Move to grass valley if you want to grow weed not climb.

If you want california look south or bishop

Saint George Utah area. Near Zion, five types of rock, 1.5 hours from Vegas/Red Rocks/Mt. Charleston.

Winston O'Boogie wrote:The whole grass valley/nevada city/ auburn thing is a joke. It's cold, wet (except this year with the drought) closest crag is a joke of a crumbling quarry in auburn that you are only allowed to climb on weekends and Tahoe which is amazing..in the Summer. Move to grass valley if you want to grow weed not climb. If you want california look south or bishop

Bishop is pretty sweet, that's for sure...but GV matches the OP's specs pretty well. It's one of the best small towns in CA for a climber. Sure, it's reputation makes it undesirable to some, but that keeps the naysayers out. Though semi-obscure, there are awesome crags within an hour's drive.

Esconghetto! Yes on San Diego. Yes on pretty much any beach town along the highway.

I'm just wondering what awesome crags around GS you climb at during the winter?

Echo... I am looking for local crags for many of these places, but not finding much. What are the associated winter climbing areas for these living locations? Bigger ones like Red rocks, JT etc are obvious, but grass valley? Auburn etc?

mountainhick wrote:Echo... I am looking for local crags for many of these places, but not finding much. What are the associated winter climbing areas for these living locations? Bigger ones like Red rocks, JT etc are obvious, but grass valley? Auburn etc?

Auburn, etc has some small foothills crags and bouldering spots, or an hour's drive up the hill to north Tahoe crags (which are snowed in in winter). While it will be warmer in town there than where you already live, the quality of the winter climbing options would probably actually be a downgrade. Those posters suggesting that area (I don't know why) are hosing you. To compare the (winter) climbing options around there to what is available in Bishop, Chattanooga, Vegas, etc. is laughable.

JCM wrote: Auburn, etc has some small foothills crags and bouldering spots, or an hour's drive up the hill to north Tahoe crags (which are snowed in in winter). While it will be warmer in town tere than where you alreadylive, the quality of the winter climbing options would probably actually be a downgrade. Those posters suggesting that area (I don't know why) are hosing you. To compare the (winter) climbing options around there to what is available in Bishop, Chattanooga, Vegas, etc. is laughable.

Copy that. Yeah, it looked to me like marginal lower elevation winter cragging in that area.

Sedona is a very beautiful place, but again, not a place to call home for us.

Have spent time at Zion, and am familiar with the Springdale area. This is an interesting thought. The PJ forests are a bit different than what feels like home, but there is a diverse range of character to the land in that area. Can also be pretty friggin cold in the winter around there, last time through Cedar City was December and was snowy/icy. But also not so far from LV/red rocks! Anyway... thinking about it.

Talked with the missus, and the idea came up to try finding rent by owner types of houses to try out in a few areas next year before committing to a true move. Could cover several areas, get a feel for places, hang out, climb and see what fits. Will probably shoot for several diversely different locations. I'm thinking Chatanooga, Somewhere in socal, and maybe Oakhurst or down the southwest side of sierras.

Chattanooga for sure, its maybe a little larger than you were looking for but not too big. Great spots within an hours drive and potential options for ice a few hours drive away in NC.

1. Prescott Arizona , some trees in the higher elevations, but can burn in summer. Good year round climbing.

2. Chattanooga , t-wall is great

3. Santa Fe , NM, there are trees on the peaks round town. Very little snow there but kinda desert.

Asheville is a nice town, kinda expensive though.

Cedar city is like 95% Mormon , if you are cool with that.

Have fun!!!!
The rent to try idea sounds good

? Maybe move to Golden down the road???