Do I hear banjo music?
Sport Climbing at Horeshoe Canyon
This weekend I will be headed to the land of rednecks and hillbillies. The difference between the two I don’t really know, but I have been told there is a difference. A group of us from the Texas Mountaineers will be headed to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (HCR) for a weekend of sprad climbing. That’s right, sprad! HCR offers both sport and trad climbing routes.
HCR is one of my all time favorite climbing destinations. The sandstone rock is beautiful to the eyes as well as the touch. The gritty, yet soft rock is easy on the hands and makes climbing all day much easier than on granite or limestone. Not only that, but the Buffalo National River is just across the road and offers a great way to cool down after a long day of climbing in the heat. The bluffs along the Buffalo River are massive. Unfortunately climbing is not allowed here. There is so much potential for climbing there.
Climbers also often take a trip into Jasper to dine at the ever popular Ozarak Cafe. I have not been here though since becoming vegetarian so it will be interesting to see what they might have… After taking a quick peak at the menu I see they have a veggie burger that sounds mighty tasty. I also know they have a large salad bar as well. Can’t wait to try it out. Unfortunately they will be closed on Memorial Day. Last year we tried dining here for breakfast on our way back home but the whole town had closed down for the holiday.
The train, or should I say hatch back, rolls out early a.m. tomorrow morning. I will be driving solo on this trip, meeting the rest of the gang at the ranch. I’m coordinating the trip so have to get there early to reserve campsites. I don’t mind it though, I actually enjoy traveling long distances by myself. It provides ample time to think and process. Plus your on your own agenda and can stop as you please or keep plugging along if you so desire.
Oh, Saturday is also my 30th birthday. So hopefully I will be doing a “brirthday challenge”. The plan is to climb 30 routes in one day, and likely one to grow on. So, wish me luck. Hopefully I have willing belayers.
Sounds like a fun trip and I love the tone of the article. Have a blast and Happy Early Birthday!
Horshoe Canyon Ranch looks so awesome!! I was checking out the website for the place and it made me wish I lived closer so I could do a weekend trip there too. The mix of sport/trad on sandstone sounds fantastic
OH!!! Happy Birthday, too!!!
When I lived in Missouri, Sam’s Throne was the hot climbing destination in Arkansas–I’d never even heard of this place! Looks like we were really missing out (tho Sam’s was such a great “sprad” destination we didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything). Enjoy the climbing AND turning 30.
I love HCR. I stopped by for a couple weeks while on my road trip. If you are vegetarian you should try the Broadway Cafe. I have a brief writeup about it here: http://www.cragbaby.com/category/destination-horse-shoe-canyon-ranch-ar/
And I love your birthday challenge! I did the same challenge last year, completing 28 routes in a day. It was hard, but fun. Here is the write up. Look forward to reading about yours.
http://www.cragbaby.com/2008/10/02/the-birthday-challenges/
Happy birthday!
Rachel
Both Sam’s Throne and HCR have sick climbing. I live in Springfield, MO so I drive down there all the time during the summer. We also have a great gym in Springfield called Petra, lots of great bouldering problems.