Girl vs. Wild NewsOK.com Blogging Community

It has been far to long since I have had the slightest bit of adventure. At least the outdoor type. Obligations and social activites can hold an adventure seeker back. Fear not, I am headed out for a day trip of climbing. I have decided to take some of my own valued advice of climbing the upper and lower sections of Mt. Scott located in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge. I am excited for all it will entail. Scabbed blistered hands, muscles crying, and pain from head to toe. Guess what, I will love every bit of it.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

Go west young man seems to be a constant theme in today’s climbing world. But standing on a soap box I declare that to not be totally true. Oklahoma seems to be know for holding several of the best kept secrets and one of which is Oklahoma climbing. There is rock for everyone in this great state. Whether your pleasure is granite, sandstone, or limestone climb on.

The crowned jewel of Oklahoma climbing is the Wichita Wildlife Refuge. Located outside of Lawton off highway 49 with granite formations reaching as far as the eye can see upward, and boulder fields that look like a jungle gym there are lines for any climbing palette. With several different areas to choose from you wont be let down. One of those is Mt. Scott offering several choices wo of which are Upper and Lower Scott. Mt. Scott is open form 9:00 am to dusk daily except when weather prevails. Upper is ideal for the novice climber with more than 30 routes rated at 5.6c this is an ideal place to start acquiring your climbing legs. Lower Scott has near a dozen routes ranging from 5.6-5.11c. Note that there is not a lot of available parking in this area so carpooling is recommended. If both of these sound to be to timid, challenge yourself to a three roof climb called ‘Repeat After Me’ rated at 5.10c. This is sure to boggle your mind and have your hands blistered wanting more.

If that doesn’t strike your climbing fancy head to Quartz Mountain located 45 minutes west of the Wichitas and worth every bit of the drive. If your looking for intense trad and sport climbing, put this on your list of places to climb. Offering short approaches with easy navigation this is a perfect day trip. Quartz Mountain has the longest routes in Oklahoma with slab faces reaching as far as the eye can see. Locals will tell you that these routes can be run-out with most rated R or X. This is not the place for the passive climber.

If you’re still shaking your head with disbelief that Oklahoma has climbing worth noting, head the boulder fields in Chandler Park outside of Tulsa. Rock worth climbing weaves through this hillside with routes 15-25 feet high ranging from V0-V12 there is no doubt you will feel worked after climbing here. Most routes are fast with none longer than 40 feet with third or fourth class scrambles. You are sure to have a day full climbing tales to tell.

These are just a few of our great state’s choices and all are worth checking out. Now mark your map, grab your gear and climb on!

Routes or areas of climbing have been set and broken down into classes. These classes serve as a rating to give the climber a better understand of what they are about to attempt.

Classes range from 1-5. Most terrain or activities in 1-4 can be done with a feeling of ease and most of the time rope is only used for comfort.

Most of the climbing mentioned is rated in the class 5 range. For instance a 5.5-5.6 route is one that has two hand and foot holds for every move. 5.7 there will be a foot or hand hold missing.

As the numbers increase the holds decrease. Meaning the rating rises when the difficult increase with fewer holds to place.

When using the V scale a climber is referring to bouldering routes. When bouldering a person is not roped in. The V scale ranges from V0-V16. With V0 being pretty simple to V16 where death is a high risk if one should fall.

There are also danger ratings. With PG meaning run-outs might be present, but falls will not be dangerous. R meaning run-outs are present and there is protection, but falls may result in injury, and with X there is no protection, and falls will result bodily harm and death can occur.

Now don’t rely to heavily on ratings. Because you might run a route at your home gym smooth at a 5.6, but that same rating might be more difficult on actual rock. So take each route with ease and respect. Make the rating and rocks your friend.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

Sometimes life gets in the way of my adventures. Lately that seems to be a trend that I can’t avoid. The wild use to whisper my name, now it’s just screaming at me to come back and hike in it’s woods, and sleep in it’s dirt under it’s stars.

I find myself flipping through magazines in passing at coffee shops and stores. Thumbing the pages dreaming of the places I need to go and see. My gear is starting to give me bad looks as I pass by like the neglectful outdoors girl I have become.

It’s been two weeks since I have been in the wild, or anywhere near an open field and it’s starting to get to me. I need my fresh air, my adrenaline, my adventure!!!

I need the me that is Girl vs. Wild! Until then, I will just keep planning my next big adventure.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

Burn ban woes dampen camping. This past month has been a roller coaster of to burn, or not to burn. With high fire dangers constantly being announced we are in a State of danger. This means winter camping is even harder than just just the normal concerns of freezing.

Burn bans mean no campfire songs and smores shared with glee. No staying warm huddled up with friends. As soon as the sun drops it’s lights out, and temperatures follow fast.

Since february 1st: Atoka, Beaver, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Carter, Cimmaron, Cotton, Comanche, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnston, Kiowa, Love, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, and Washita Counties have all been under a burn ban.

If you look at a map of the counties listed this covers all of the Wichita Wildlife Refuge. A hot spot for winter camping.

Refuge officials state that numbers have not been affected by the ban, and in fact visitors are up from this time last year. Of the course weather has been unpredictable, but has not turned many away.

When camping during burning restrictions it is very important to remember any spark or flame can get out of control even if it’s not on the ban list.

With that said, when burning regardless of restrictions one should not count on campfires to stay warm. You never know what nature is going to do so one should be prepared for all temperatures.

Layer is a must, but more is not always better. A good rule of thumb is to never wear cotton clothing against your skin. Even when it is cold out the lightest excursion can cause perspiration. Cotton is much harder to dry which can lead to your body temperature dropping. A good synthetic or wool first layer is recommended.

Billie Dunn, a Backwoods Sales Associate says “as far as clothing goes it really is specific to the person. A hot natured person isn’t wanting to have the same layers on as a cold natured person. With that being said, an appropriate base layer is recommended such Capilene or Icebreaker.”

When getting around fire issues stoves come in quite handy. Dunn said, “the Snowpeak Gigapower or the Jetboil system, both are ultra light and compact. Ideal for backpacking, hiking or short weekend trips with 1-2 people. For 2-8 the Dragonfly or Whisperlight by MSR. With these you are not restricted to just using the ISO butane / propane fuel, and both of these are great for international traveling.”

It all really boils down to listening to your body. If you feel it’s to cold, it probably is and wait to warmer days.

Girl vs. WIld,

Jacquelyn Farris

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

This past Saturday I put my brave face on and conquered a fear. A big fear. This past August I destroyed my shoulder, and lucky me had to have it reconstructed. Basically, there was nothing holding it in socket. Yes, sounds fun doesn’t it? It has been six months of rehab, 3 days week and being so cautious. Well my version of cautious, which I am sure for most people is border line danger. But with an overwhelming amount of fear I went climbing at Rocktown in downtown OKC.

My first route scared the life out of me. Each pull and grab I did shaking with fear of pulling my shoulder out and heading back to my home away from home, McBride Bone and Joint. I know I have a problem when the staff and I are on first name basis. Hey, when you visit as often as I have they become family.

But I did it. A friend said I had the look my eye. The lines were talking to me. Begging me to attack and I did. I loved it. I made those lines mine. It was such a great feeling, pain and all. My little paws are scabbed and bloody, but ready for more. I am off the injured list and am eager to climb!

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

I am dreaming of warmer days. Last night my camping sidekick and I had dinner and a brew while hashing out our being tired of the cold!

I am tired of having layers on my legs, thick high socks, shirts that cover my neck, and big puffy coats! Getting dressed to leave the house has become a sport in itself.

I ask you weather God’s, where are my sunny skies, rustling leaves, with temperatures above freezing?

I found myself day dreaming of being able to go into the wild lugging half the weight. No coats, no layers, no puffy down.

I lust for the days of chacos, sunglasses, ball caps and my favortie shorts and t-shirts!

Gary England I beg you please be kind and give me summer.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

This past weekend I attended Mark Patton’s fly fishing school on the Illinois river. It was amazing. Mark and his crew made everything regarding fly fishing absolutely understandable and exciting. I had been fly fishing for a few years now, but was still blown away by all that I did not know prior to this class. We started the day with an early rise and shine of in class sessions. We covered fly gear, knot tying, working the water, and fly to leader ratios. I loved the science behind it all. I now can tie knots like a ninja.

After lunch we headed to the MarVal resort area and had a hands on casting session and then took our casting to the river. The instructors were great. I had some of the best casting instruction I have ever received and really feel like I can cast with finesse now. Casting truly decides if you will catch or not catch. Fish are skidish so if your cast doesn’t hit just right you have no chance at a strike. The weather was perfect sunny with a light breeze and I waded in for a little river action.

I can say with a the biggest grin of excitement Mark Patton’s fly fishing school in the best around.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

I am headed to lake Tenkiller to do some fishing. I am not a worm and bobber fisher, but a fly fisher. Don't get me wrong, a good worm and bobber off a pond dock brings back memories of my childhood in Maud, OK. I spent many a weekend fishing on what was called the Duck Pond with my little tackle box and Snoopy pole to match. Those were sunny days on the ranch dangling my red cowboy boots over the edge. My Dad and I fishing is one of the greatest memories I have.

But with age, a ripe 26, I have passed on the Snoopy pole and am in the calm waters of fly fishing. I remember my first fish caught. I was behind my house in South Fork, Colorado on the Rio Grande. It was early August, and the river was perfect. I could see the fish rising all around me. Waste deep I had been casting for awhile and finally tracked one straight to a strike. I hooked that brown and was pulling him in. Beyond excited I wished badly for someone to see it was true. I had finally hooked a fish all by myself. No one around I ran up river to fetch my camera from the house while the fish flopped on the bank. I get back slipping twice in the mud, grab the fish and try to snap a photo. At the very second I push the shutter he swan dives out of my grasp.To this day my friends tease and joke that it never really did happen. I swear that fish was mine. That is no fish tale.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

According to the Associated press article that I have posted below more and more children are turning to TV’s instead of playing outside. Black box babysitters, as I so kindly refer to them as are replacing imagination and creativity with mind numbing wasted entertainment. You would think people would realize anything that makes your eyes glaze over and takes you into a trance like state other than common sleep wouldn’t be the best thing for a child or an adult.

What happened to the days of my childhood? When building forts, playing army adventure rangers, and climbing trees was all the craze. I whole heartedly believe my generation was the last to seek the backyard for entertainment pretending space exploration and safari jungles.

Don’t get me wrong I watch my fairshare of TV. Man vs. Wild and Survivor Man airings are never missed at my house. But, watching those shows only makes me desire to be outside even more.

If we don’t educate, and encourage the generations to come to love and protect the outdoors, it will be lost to bulldozers making the next big appliance store to sell them one more flat screen TV.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

Associated Press - February 4, 2008 9:33 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers are concerned that as people spend more time communing with TVs and computers they may lose interest in nature and, eventually, lose interest in conservation and parks. They say their health could suffer as well.

The research appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that camping, fishing and per capita visits to parks are all declining as people spend more of their lives looking at a screen.

The authors warn there could be less interest in biodiversity and also that children’s “videophilia” has been shown to be a cause of obesity, lack of socialization, attention disorders and poor academic performance.