Joshua Tree Paradox Sports Skills Camp

Joshua tree national park

I’ve been back from Joshua Tree National Park for a few weeks now but have been a bit under the weather with a leg infection and some wounds on my feet. Thankfully I am on the mend and infection free. I am also finally mentally able to write about the thoroughly memorable trip I took to California.

Arriving in Camp

This was the inaugural year of the Paradox Sports skills camp in Joshua Tree and it definitely did not disappoint. The week started April 3rd with everyone just arriving in camp and getting settled. My first impression of this amazing space that was saved for all the world to admire, was just like every other national park I have laid eyes on. It was like being in another world. The shapes of the rock are like nothing I have ever seen. The rocks appear if someone just piled them in specific areas. It makes you wonder how did they form like that. There are vast expanses of Joshua Trees as far as the eye can see. This year was especially breathtaking due to all the rain they have received. There are beautiful desert flowers blooming everywhere with amazing colors from deep reds to bright yellows.

I was the last to arrive at camp paradox as we nicknamed it. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I knew almost everyone that was on the trip already.

shawn Sturges

I did meet one new climber, Shawn Sturges. He is a visually impaired climber who has set a goal of climbing the south face of Washington Column in Yosemite National Park. He came on this trip to learn some of the skills he will need for that climb. As I watched Shawn over the week we were together I became more and more impressed with his abilities. He likes to say that he isn’t a normal body type for a climber because he weighs more than a stereotypical climber. While watching him though, I found him to be graceful, methodical, and downright skilled. He was able to work out different ways of overcoming his loss of sight and work his way up about 12 different climbs throughout the week. On one of our lesson days, we were learning to place gear in cracks to allow us to aid our way up different routes. Sean explained that he could use the size of his hand to gauge what size piece of gear to place in the crack. I realized while listening to him that I could use some of the techniques he was using to make it easier for me too. That is one of the things I love about Paradox Sports. We can learn from each other because we always have such a diverse group of people.

Bonnie Denis

Another of my friends Bonnie Denis is a double amputee. She worked on being about 12 routes also during the week and I also learned a lot from observing her. She worked with a guide one on one to figure out techniques specifically for her to be able to lead climb and generally make it possible for her to do longer climbs. She is still getting used to not having both legs as the second one was just recently removed. All though she has both legs partially missing she is still able to climb and I think that is what most people should take away from seeing our climb. Climbers adapt and we are just climbers adapting.

Adam “The Payne” Train

Last but definitely not least is Adam Payne. AKA the Payne train. He has ataxia which causes a lack of muscle coordination when a voluntary movement is attempted. It may affect any motion that requires muscles to work together to perform a function, from walking to picking up an object to swallowing. He has trouble walking on the ground but when he is on the rock it is like he transforms into a completely different person. It is truly breathtaking to watch his smooth controlled movements up the wall. He makes moves while climbing that most able-bodied climbers would have a tough time doing. I wish everyone could witness this transformation.

Enock’s Experience

So I am the final participant that attended the camp. I had an unbelievable week and learned so much. I had my buddy Kyle Queener who I met in Yosemite to help me learn to place gear. I also did my first ever free climb. You can see from the smile in the pictures that I loved it and wow did I. I want to do a lot more of that for sure. I love the feeling of using the rock to work my way up the wall. It is as close to nonadaptive climbing as I have ever done and I can’t wait to try more. Unfortunately, I only did about 5 routes during the week because I hurt my shoulder skiing 2 weeks before the trip. That was plenty though for me to learn a lot more than I already knew about climbing. I definitely want to go back to the park and explore a lot more. We did get to see a lot of it though just driving from crag to crag. One evening while in camp a whole herd of bighorn sheep came by about 400 yards or so in the distance. It was tough to see them at first but really cool to witness. Another great memory I will take with me was having a mini Yosemite reunion with a few friends that were climber stewards in Joshua Tree and friends that came to help out. We also went to climber coffee one morning and met with other climbers in the park and got to spend some time with rangers. It was a really great experience getting to meet all those people and get the word out about what we were doing also.

The 300 foot/half a mile “easy” hike

Probably the best memory doesn’t even have anything to do with climbing. We heard about this arch in the park called Arch Rock and decided we wanted to go take a picture with it. So we asked for some beta on what the trail was like and was told it was not too far maybe 30o ft and pretty flat with just rolling hills. So we naturally figured we can handle that. When we arrived at the trailhead the first thing I noticed was the sign that said .5 miles to arch rock haha. That is a bit more than 300 feet. Naturally, we are adventurous people so we said oh well let’s try it anyway. Not too far into the trail, we encounter the first set of stairs. It was doable we had plenty of people to carry or push if needed. There were actually 3 sets of stairs in the trail which we all made it past. We came to where we could see the arch and immediately had to wonder what the heck we were doing haha. I am not sure how to describe it but there were large rocks that we either had to be carried over or walk over to get to a vantage point to take this picture. I chose to be carried of course in the arms over shoulder style to a point where they could sit me on a not so wide rock about 15 ft off the ground with a guide bracing me. We did get our picture after all. On the way back it was a bit easier since we knew what lie ahead of us. The last set of stairs had sort of a rocky hill beside it that I sat at the top of contemplating whether I should just wheel it or wait for help. Those that know me can guess I didn’t wait haha. Bonnie at one point in a somewhat concerned voice said: ” Are you really going to do that?” I, of course, said, ” yes this isn’t that hard.” I proceeded to pull a wheelie and ride down the hill thankfully making it in one piece and not looking like the idiot that should have waited. It seems the struggles are what make the best memories. Setting out with a goal and making it happen is what Paradox Sports is all about.

The Takeaway

After reminiscing about this whole experience I hope that as you read this you were able to see that 4 people of different abilities were all able to accomplish their goals and much more. We had help along the way and Paradox Sports and all the guides and volunteers made it possible. I want to thank everyone involved for making this experience so fruitful and memorable. I look forward to my next trip with Paradox Sports and all the trips to come.