Berkeley Bouldering Suggestions/Anyone in the Bay Area?

[alexandra]

Hi all,

I am headed back to San Francisco tomorrow for a few days till next monday (yayyy) and would like to try out some boulders in Berkeley. Oddly enough, even though I lived in the city for many years and went to school at Berkeley, I never went bouldering there(!). I guess surfing took the best of me So I would like to ask for suggestions of what boulders I should get on in the V4-V7 range. Also, if anyone is from around there and would like to climb together, message me- it would be great to have a climbing partner! Lastly, do any of you know if and where I could possibly rent or borrow crash pads in that area?

[amalec]

There's a ton of pretty decent climbing here, at Indian Rock, Mortar Rock, and Grizzly Peak boulders. There's a good long day of climbing in your range, particularly at Mortar.

Happy to meet up -- I typically climb Saturday morning, though it's going to rain on Friday. If you go most any mid-morning/afternoon, you'll find a sea of pads and lots of friendly climbers.

[alexandra]

I was thinking go going tomorrow afternoon and Sunday afternoon. I luckily found a pad. Are any of those times convenient to meet up and pull on some rock with me?

[amalec]

I might be there after work today (Thursday). About 5:30 or so.

[amalec]

If I'm not there, ask around for the following must do problems:

Indian Rock:
(http://www.cragmontclimbingclub.org/routes/indianrockmaps)
Center Overhung (V3 R) -- ask for where to place pads so you land nicely
Flake Traverse (V3/4)
The Bubble (V5)
Indian Rock Traverse (V5)

Mortar:
(just ask all the folks)
Bench Wall Problem (V2 R) (pad well)
The Ramp (V4)
Black Plague (V5/6) (easier with right topout, harder from sit and direct topout, lots of debate about what holds are on/off)
Sunshine (V5)
Working the key sections of Nat's Traverse (V8) -- The Ramp, getting around the corner, the middle section)