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Volcanic Tablelands (Happies/Sads)
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Volcanic Tablelands (Happies/Sads)

Submitted By: Adam Winters on Jan 22, 2008
Administrators: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Adam Winters
Elevation: 4,400 feet
Views: 46,189 page views

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The Owens Valley meets the Volcanic Tablelands


Description 

Just north of Bishop the floor of the Owens Valley rises abruptly, forming a 300 foot-high volcanic plateau that runs for miles from east to west. Along the southern tip, numerous canyons containing thousands of boulders can be found slicing into and through the plateau, including the two that make up the Happy and Sad bouldering areas. It's truly a climber's playground.

This area is often referred to as 'The Mesa' to locals...


Getting There 

From US 395 in Bishop, take US 6 north out of town towards Benton/Chalfant/Tonopah. After 1.3 miles, turn left on Five Bridges Rd. Follow this down the straightaway around the left-hand curve, past the Aggregate Plant to a 4-way intersection where the pavement turns to dirt. Take a left on Chalk Bluff Rd. for the Happy and Sad Boulders. Turn right on Fish Slough Rd. for the Fish Slough Boulders.



Featured Route For Volcanic Tablelands (Happies/Sads)
Jen Atkin on Stone Love

Stone Love V0  CA : Sierra Eastside : ... : Fish Slough Roadside Boulde...
The classic pocketed north face of the southern most boulder on the road circuit. One of the best V0's on tuff around Bishop. Perfect pocket pulling. The problem is the left-most line....[more]


Add Photo Photos of Volcanic Tablelands (Happies/Sads)
The Volcanic Tablelands

The Volcanic Tablelands

Looking north at the Tablelands plateau, viewed from the Druid Stones, just south of Bishop

Looking north at the Tablelands plateau, viewed fr...

An evening session in the Tablelands.

An evening session in the Tablelands.

The south end of the Tablelands, looking west toward the Sierras.

The south end of the Tablelands, looking west towa...

The Volcanic Tablelands, just north of Bishop

The Volcanic Tablelands, just north of Bishop

Looking down from the Sads towards Bishop.

Looking down from the Sads towards Bishop.

KK on a superb lip traverse on the 'Orgasm Boulder', Roadside, Fish Slough Boulders

KK on a superb lip traverse on the 'Orgasm Boulder...

Don't mess with the locals...

Don't mess with the locals...

Nate Bowe on 'Tim's Prow' v4, County Line Boulders

Nate Bowe on 'Tim's Prow' v4, County Line Boulders

Nate Bowe on 'El Hueco de Hunta' v5, County Line Boulders.

Nate Bowe on 'El Hueco de Hunta' v5, County Line B...

The Tablelands from the south, and the White Mountains in the background

The Tablelands from the south, and the White Mount...

Nate Bowe on 'The Wave' at the Sanctuary, Tablelands

Nate Bowe on 'The Wave' at the Sanctuary, Tablelan...


Add Comment Comments on Volcanic Tablelands (Happies/Sads)
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By Adam Winters
Administrator
From: Bishop, CA
Jan 22, 2009

People need to settle down with the tick marks, it's getting ridiculous. It seems almost every boulder I walk up to I have to spend 10 minutes brushing off these eyesores! Come on, if you make a tick, brush that ugly bastard off when you leave the boulder!

Also, who needs tick marks on STARTING footholds??? Is it just me or is this completely unnecessary? Get some glasses because this is not far from plain old graffiti.

By Euan Cameron
Administrator
From: Redlands and Mammoth Lakes
Jan 22, 2009

I agree it is getting out of hand. It seems to be 'the' in thing this year to mark it up.

Seriously it isn't a gym, tick marks don't belong outside.

By J pee
From: Capitola, CA
Jan 25, 2009

Since when is it illegal to place tick marks on the rock? All the photos I've seen of the elite working HARD routes are tick-marked. This alone should indicate that it is OK to do so. Like, really, how are you supposed to see the hold if it is not ticked?

By Euan Cameron
Administrator
From: Redlands and Mammoth Lakes
Jan 25, 2009

Nobody is saying don't tick. If you feel you need to tick then tick, just clean them off afterwards. Lets others discover the moves (the correct ones) for the themselves.