In Arches National Park in Utah, near the Wolfe Ranch where the trail to Delicate Arch begins, there is an outcrop with concretions that are over two meters across. Those are the biggest iron concretions I know of. They are not just hematite, but a combination of limonite, hematite, and siderite, so they are multi-colored. Amazing.
Interesting rock close up. My ex climbed in the 60s. He quit soon after we started dating. I tried but soon found that the good holds were too far apart for my short arms and legs. So I never got farther up the 10 feet. Some of the equipment now is sure different than it was back then, mainly the hardware. We were out in the woods for the better part of 21 years.
I'm a technical climber (ice & rock) and just moved here from the Northeast. The rock here is amazing......I'm still getting accustomed to climbing sandstone and limestone. Love your video, so informative and interesting to watch and learn about the rock formations. Those Moki marbles are so cool and I also see them on my hikes and scrambles here. I also love to hike Blue Diamond Hill as it has so many fossils. Nice climb on Group Therapy and I subscribed to your channel.
This is the first time I've heard a geologist mention the theories regarding desert varnish. I also had no idea how durable it was. Seeing it preserved there in Jurassic rock was, to me, a revelation. I somehow had conceived the, quite erroneous, idea that it could rub or flake off. The iron concretions were intriguing. But the idea of trusting one to be a foot or hand hold or to tie a rope around...eeek. Loved seeing the dune movement captured in the rock. Looked a lot like flakey pastry. Very old, very big, flakey pastry.
Best example of Mochi marbles I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to try climbing that route but... What better example of group therapy can you get than all of us here in the Willsey fan club climbing it vicariously?
You can do all your gambling in nature if you so choose when it comes to Vegas. There is a ridiculous amount of interesting geology very close by. I’ll be going east to see Cleopatra Hamblin volcano this week. Turns out I hiked down the valley that splits it years ago without knowing where I was.
I've watched a few videos from folks exploring various parts of the West, but most times, I think, "That's an amazing area, but I sure wish this was Shawn Willsey so I could hear knowledgeable commentary on all the amazing geology in this video!"
No Nickel in those 'accretions'? I've been wonder what those were since 1984. Do you happen to know where there is a crevice/valley full of huge boulders, that up further there are ~three pools in solid rock with trees, in that very area you are filming? The park ranger I asked didn't know in ~2000. One time I got to the top climbing/foot and came face to face with a huge billy goat, freaked, and slowly glanced back just to see how far it was to my death and it vanished, not a sound.
What gnarly great climbing-inviting rocks! To get IN the scenery is awesome!! I've loved the area from the road. Very cool crossbeds! Moqui marbles (not Moki 😅) Fun outing, thanks for taking us along.
Those iron concretions are wild! I've never seen anything like that before. That's why I really like your channel, showing stuff I've never seen before. So thank you.
Shawn, ever bring a kite up with you and fly it in that nice breeze you have there, that could while away your time waiting as your climb mate, Darren, tidies the rope gear. I imagine that surface of nubbly iron bits would hurt quite some if a climber had a slip and took a slide out over them.
You should check out the house range in west central Utah if you havent yet. The geology there is magnificent and very untouched. There isn't a lot of information about the rocks out there because it is so out of the way. It has tons of karst topography; caves, underground streams and springs, etc. There are also massive granite extrusions at the base and Amasa Valley of the Notch Peak area. Notch Peak is also the 2nd tallest vertical drop in the US behind El Capitan at 2200 feet of pure vertical drop! Its a crazy view from the base. Within the granite extrusions you can also find pretty massive quartz crystals in the crevices! Lots of recreation and solitude to be found out there too!
Yep, I know the west desert of Utah fairly well and have been to House Range, Notch Peak, Painter Springs, and other locations a few times. It's on my list for the fall.
Excellent video and information..as with all video bloggers the cameras cannot handle the focus on quick movements so camera should move like a snail crawl if you want to keep focused.
Any idea about conditions when sand was deposited? Sahara desert, wind blown from glaciers, under water? Run into any snakes up there? I kinda hoped Alex Honnold would show up.
Yes a Sahara sized dune complex stretching from Mexico to Canada. Although recent research points to these Jurassic dunes being more varied with some lakes and such. No snakes seen. And Darren and I joked about Honnold free soloing past us at some point but it didn’t happen.
A rock-climbing geologist? I’m glad you’re doing this for us, because there is no way I’d want to be that high up with just ropes holding me up. Anyway, very interesting information. Now I have to dig up some papers on the desert varnish. As a biologist, I’m going to be biased towards a biological basis. 😃
When I was in my early 20s rock climbing looked to me like something I could get into. Marriage, kids, career, it never happened; but now in my mid-60s I'm looking at that and all it does is give me anxiety. The views are top-notch but what you've got to do to get there is pucker-inducing.
Interesting climb and talk. Those iron concretions were all over, although I don't think I'd tie off to one, but you know if it is safe. I haven't rock/ice climbed since the 1980s and my wife didn't like me risking my life although I didn't climb in such a way that it was very risky.
@@shawnwillsey I understand. Only way to get a view from the top and a picture doesn't convey the grandeur of it all. No need to take unnecessary risks.
Ha! Computer generates the captions. I used to go through the and correct all the geology terms and such that it would butcher but it was very time-consuming.
Hmm I have purchased some mochi balls at the rock stores (lazy woman’s rock climbing). And you showed how they erode out of the walls. Uh, How do you risk your life while holding them during a climb??? I am counting on you for more geo lessons, so be safe, my dear!!!
Welcome to the crazy world of geology. Basically, its a case of different geographic regions, but same timeframe and depositional environment. Further north in northern Utah and Wyoming, the same unit is called Nugget Sandstone.
Fascinating disagreement about the root cause of varnish. I suspect someone will definitively sort it out. I enjoyed your evocative dermatologic similes for the iron concretions. The higher up, more pedunculated ones resemble skin tags "acrochordons."
Great combo Rock Climbing and Geology! Thx!
Always a good combo.
Nice stuff, cool geology. Nice climb.
Thanks for taking us along Shawn.
In Arches National Park in Utah, near the Wolfe Ranch where the trail to Delicate Arch begins, there is an outcrop with concretions that are over two meters across. Those are the biggest iron concretions I know of. They are not just hematite, but a combination of limonite, hematite, and siderite, so they are multi-colored. Amazing.
Thanks Shawn! Reminds me of climbing in the 70s in the central cascades of WA.
Thank you and your buddy for bringing us this. Seems a good marriage you have (climbing AND geology).
,,,,,,..land o' lakes,wi...here,,,,,,,,for class.........the best way to see our country...tnx,,,,,,,pat&family.
Interesting rock close up. My ex climbed in the 60s. He quit soon after we started dating. I tried but soon found that the good holds were too far apart for my short arms and legs. So I never got farther up the 10 feet. Some of the equipment now is sure different than it was back then, mainly the hardware. We were out in the woods for the better part of 21 years.
Ty Shawn 😊
Excellent geo adventure
Thx so much. ❤
Wow! 😮
I'm a technical climber (ice & rock) and just moved here from the Northeast. The rock here is amazing......I'm still getting accustomed to climbing sandstone and limestone. Love your video, so informative and interesting to watch and learn about the rock formations. Those Moki marbles are so cool and I also see them on my hikes and scrambles here. I also love to hike Blue Diamond Hill as it has so many fossils. Nice climb on Group Therapy and I subscribed to your channel.
Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy the other videos.
This is the first time I've heard a geologist mention the theories regarding desert varnish.
I also had no idea how durable it was. Seeing it preserved there in Jurassic rock was, to me, a revelation. I somehow had conceived the, quite erroneous, idea that it could rub or flake off.
The iron concretions were intriguing. But the idea of trusting one to be a foot or hand hold or to tie a rope around...eeek.
Loved seeing the dune movement captured in the rock. Looked a lot like flakey pastry. Very old, very big, flakey pastry.
Thanks!
Wow. Thanks for your kind donation. Glad you like learning with me.
Now there's a geology professor that goes to any lengths to bring us the rocks!!
It was a great Adventure 👍🏻❤️
Best example of Mochi marbles I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to try climbing that route but... What better example of group therapy can you get than all of us here in the Willsey fan club climbing it vicariously?
You can do all your gambling in nature if you so choose when it comes to Vegas. There is a ridiculous amount of interesting geology very close by. I’ll be going east to see Cleopatra Hamblin volcano this week. Turns out I hiked down the valley that splits it years ago without knowing where I was.
I've watched a few videos from folks exploring various parts of the West, but most times, I think, "That's an amazing area, but I sure wish this was Shawn Willsey so I could hear knowledgeable commentary on all the amazing geology in this video!"
Hey thanks for the kind compliment. If there’s a particular location you’re interested in, let me know. Thanks for watching and learning with me.
This is fantastic! Any future climbs you do that you can describe the rock as you go would be great!
You bet. Should have some interesting ones this summer on a variety of rock types.
No Nickel in those 'accretions'? I've been wonder what those were since 1984. Do you happen to know where there is a crevice/valley full of huge boulders, that up further there are ~three pools in solid rock with trees, in that very area you are filming? The park ranger I asked didn't know in ~2000. One time I got to the top climbing/foot and came face to face with a huge billy goat, freaked, and slowly glanced back just to see how far it was to my death and it vanished, not a sound.
Your tour/seminar is just the best. I can tell you really really enjoy sharing your knowledge. Just wonderful. Thank you for these!
❤wowzer!
What gnarly great climbing-inviting rocks! To get IN the scenery is awesome!! I've loved the area from the road. Very cool crossbeds! Moqui marbles (not Moki 😅) Fun outing, thanks for taking us along.
Those iron concretions are wild! I've never seen anything like that before. That's why I really like your channel, showing stuff I've never seen before. So thank you.
Shawn, ever bring a kite up with you and fly it in that nice breeze you have there, that could while away your time waiting as your climb mate, Darren, tidies the rope gear.
I imagine that surface of nubbly iron bits would hurt quite some if a climber had a slip and took a slide out over them.
Not sure I want to lug the key up there but it would be a cool idea.
You should check out the house range in west central Utah if you havent yet. The geology there is magnificent and very untouched. There isn't a lot of information about the rocks out there because it is so out of the way. It has tons of karst topography; caves, underground streams and springs, etc. There are also massive granite extrusions at the base and Amasa Valley of the Notch Peak area. Notch Peak is also the 2nd tallest vertical drop in the US behind El Capitan at 2200 feet of pure vertical drop! Its a crazy view from the base. Within the granite extrusions you can also find pretty massive quartz crystals in the crevices! Lots of recreation and solitude to be found out there too!
Correction: the granite at the base isn't true granite, it's Monzonite (Specifically Notch Peak Monzonite or Pink Monzonite). Very quartz rich
Yep, I know the west desert of Utah fairly well and have been to House Range, Notch Peak, Painter Springs, and other locations a few times. It's on my list for the fall.
Ever climb at Vedawoo? Another beautiful place to climb
No, but I’d love to. Offwidth city
@@shawnwillsey great face climbing, a 5.4 crack/face climb and can see the railroad memorial pyramid
@@shawnwillsey it’s where big Bros was tested , developed by Craig Lubben a fellow CSU grad
@@shawnwillsey th-cam.com/video/iJO12oBEHW4/w-d-xo.html was a surprise to me only knew of it when submitting in vedawoo
Excellent video and information..as with all video bloggers the cameras cannot handle the focus on quick movements so camera should move like a snail crawl if you want to keep focused.
Any idea about conditions when sand was deposited? Sahara desert, wind blown from glaciers, under water? Run into any snakes up there? I kinda hoped Alex Honnold would show up.
Yes a Sahara sized dune complex stretching from Mexico to Canada. Although recent research points to these Jurassic dunes being more varied with some lakes and such. No snakes seen. And Darren and I joked about Honnold free soloing past us at some point but it didn’t happen.
A rock-climbing geologist? I’m glad you’re doing this for us, because there is no way I’d want to be that high up with just ropes holding me up. Anyway, very interesting information. Now I have to dig up some papers on the desert varnish. As a biologist, I’m going to be biased towards a biological basis. 😃
When I was in my early 20s rock climbing looked to me like something I could get into. Marriage, kids, career, it never happened; but now in my mid-60s I'm looking at that and all it does is give me anxiety. The views are top-notch but what you've got to do to get there is pucker-inducing.
Interesting climb and talk. Those iron concretions were all over, although I don't think I'd tie off to one, but you know if it is safe. I haven't rock/ice climbed since the 1980s and my wife didn't like me risking my life although I didn't climb in such a way that it was very risky.
With no other pro options up there, I was happy to tie off an iron knob even if just for peace of mind.
@@shawnwillsey I understand. Only way to get a view from the top and a picture doesn't convey the grandeur of it all. No need to take unnecessary risks.
Hi, would it be possible to send you pictures of a rock found in Ireland or send rock to you, I'm curious to what it is. It attracts magnets
The subtitles say that your name is Sean Wilson. Honestly, all the cool stuff you know, and you don’t know your own name 😂!
Ha! Computer generates the captions. I used to go through the and correct all the geology terms and such that it would butcher but it was very time-consuming.
@@shawnwillsey 😉
Hmm I have purchased some mochi balls at the rock stores (lazy woman’s rock climbing). And you showed how they erode out of the walls. Uh, How do you risk your life while holding them during a climb??? I am counting on you for more geo lessons, so be safe, my dear!!!
All good. I've been climbing 30 years and am experienced and comfortable up there. The real risk was the drive down the freeway.
@@shawnwillsey Yup, we Utahn drivers are crazy about that 80 mph speed limit on your way down from Idaho. Who wants to race??
I learned to drive in Utah so I get it.
If the Aztec Sandstone and the Navajo Sandstone are the "same unit" why/what is the justification for the different names?
Welcome to the crazy world of geology. Basically, its a case of different geographic regions, but same timeframe and depositional environment. Further north in northern Utah and Wyoming, the same unit is called Nugget Sandstone.
@@shawnwillsey Thanks for the comment, but what is the justification for this variation in nomenclature?
Fascinating disagreement about the root cause of varnish. I suspect someone will definitively sort it out. I enjoyed your evocative dermatologic similes for the iron concretions. The higher up, more pedunculated ones resemble skin tags "acrochordons."
Way too scary for me.
Thanks!