Many of you may know that I’m an avid climber – and recently started lead climbing at my home gym, Planet Granite in Sunnyvale. While I mostly climb indoors, I’m trying more and more to get outside and off the wall. One of the best places to do this locally, of course, is Castle Rock State Park.
Since I’m still slowly accumulating outdoor gear, and don’t have an established crew yet, I’ve used REI’s Outdoor School to book a few classes in building anchors and outdoor climbing. REI is one of many organizations that run classes at the park, and if you’re confident about your abilities, there are several Meetup groups you can join as well. I highly recommend signing up for a class if you’re new to climbing, it’s also a great way to meet new people (Meetup is great for this as well).
Ready to climb at Goat Rock. Photo credit: REI School Instructor
Most frequently, I’ve climbed on Goat Rock, a popular spot in the park with a wide array of longer routes. I’ve also been bouldering up at Castle Rock, but since I don’t have crash pads, I was limited in how much I could do. If you’re looking for more detailed information, you can easily pick up a book on the best climbing and bouldering spots in this park.