Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is the most popular winter climbing area in the United States. The Park contains beautiful climbing and relaxed rustic camping. Only an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is climbable during the worst of the winter months. The best season for climbing in JT is October through May.
About the Rock: The rocks in Joshua Tree were designed with climbers in mind. The rock is granitic in origin and part of a huge underground mass of quartz monzonite called a "batholith". The majority of the formations resemble the domes of Toloumne Meadows but smaller in scale. The primary attraction of Joshua Tree is the flat approaches, the accessible summits and the laid back nature of the park.
Camping: There are several campgrounds within the park that cost $5.00 a day for up to six people per site. Each campground has its own feel. Climbers choose to frequent the Hidden Valley and the Ryan campgrounds. While Jumbo Rocks tends to be more of an RV and family site. There are no facilities within the park so be sure to bring lots of water, food and fire wood for your stay.

There are also some very complicated changes that occur in your fluid balance as you acclimate. One of these is a more concentrated blood level and you will find you urinate more frequently. Other changes also take place to help your body adapt to this change in altitude.
Altitude IllnessThe problem of altitude illness starts when acclimatization does not keep pace with your ascent to high altitude. This often happens when you ascend too quickly or go from sea level to high altitude in a day. Altitude illness symptoms are more extreme and serious than those of acclimatization.
Prevent Altitude IllnessThe best way to prevent altitude illness is by making a slow, gradual ascent to altitude and give yourself time to acclimatize. Rates of acclimation are not the same for everyone, so it is not easy to determine the amount of time you will require. Some general guidelines include the following:
After 10,000 feet do not increase sleeping elevation more than 1000 feet per night.
For every 3000 feet of ascent spend two nights at the same elevation. You should also avoid alcohol and remain well hydrated because dehydration occurs more quickly at high altitude.
Recognize Altitude IllnessIf you have recently ascended to 8000 feet or more, you may notice a headache as the first warning sign of altitude illness. Other symptoms may follow and include:
Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
Fatigue or weakness

Altitude Illness I
Altitude illness refers to the various symptoms that often develop when you travel to high altitude (over 8000 ft.). Physical conditioning will not necessarily protect you from developing mountain sickness, but proper acclimatization often reduces your risk. Acclimatization is the process by which the body slowly adapts to the decreasing availability of oxygen at altitude. This process is slow and takes several days to weeks to occur.
Acclimatization to AltitudeWhen you travel to high altitude it is common to notice a faster breathing rate, shortness of breath upon exertion, increased urination, broken sleep and even some strange dreams.
These changes are a normal response to the decreased availability of oxygen in the atmosphere. To get all the oxygen you need you will find you have to breathe faster.
Even with a faster breathing rate it is difficult to get adequate oxygen to the working muscles. You will likely find that you fatigue much sooner at altitude.

The art of Free soloing is often confused with free climbing. Free soloing is one of the most refined forms of climbing. No ropes, no gear, no partners, the climber is on their own relying on their skill and mental edge to keep them glued to the rock. Free soloing was the first form of climbing to be developed by humans. Undoubtedly, countless bold free solos have been sent since the beginning of human history. Though bold and beautiful to watch, free soloing is the most dangerous form of climbing. A single slip, or lapse in focus could send the climber falling to their death. Freesolo climbers scale rock formations of all difficulties ranging from 20 feet high to mountains thousands of feet tall.