The Buttermilks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buttermilk Country |
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Bouldering at the Buttermilks with Basin Mountain in the background
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 Location in California
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| Location | Inyo County, California, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Bishop, California |
| Range | Sierra Nevada foothils |
| Coordinates | 37°17′40″N 118°36′36″W / 37.2943766°N 118.6101148°W |
| Climbing type | Bouldering |
The Buttermilks, also known as Buttermilk Country, is a very popular place for bouldering. It's located near Bishop, California, in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This area is part of the western edge of the Owens Valley.
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Welcome to The Buttermilks!
The Buttermilks is a famous outdoor spot known for its huge rocks. People from all over the world come here to climb these unique boulders. It's a great place to test your strength and problem-solving skills in nature.
What is Bouldering?
Bouldering is a type of rock climbing done on large rocks or "boulders." Unlike other climbing, you usually don't use ropes or harnesses. Instead, climbers use special shoes and chalk to grip the rock. Safety is important, so climbers often use thick pads called "crash pads" on the ground. These pads help cushion a fall. Bouldering is like solving a puzzle with your body. You figure out the best way to move up the rock.
Giant Rocks and How They Got Here
The Buttermilks is special because of its massive rocks. These boulders are made of a strong rock called quartz monzonite. Many of them are known as "highball" boulders.
Highball Bouldering
"Highball" bouldering means climbing very tall boulders. These climbs are often higher than typical bouldering problems. They can be exciting and challenging. Climbers need to be extra careful on highball routes. They often use more crash pads and have friends spot them. Spotters help guide a falling climber onto the pads.
Rocks from Far Away: Glacial Erratics
The boulders at The Buttermilks are called glacial erratics. This means they don't naturally belong in this exact spot. Imagine giant ice rivers, called glaciers, moving across the land thousands of years ago. These glaciers were incredibly powerful. They picked up huge rocks from far away places. As the glaciers melted, they left these rocks behind. That's how these unique boulders ended up in the Buttermilks. They are like giant souvenirs from an ice age!
Exploring The Buttermilks Area
The Buttermilks is located in Inyo County, California. It sits at the base of the towering Sierra Nevada mountains. The area offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities beyond climbing. Many people enjoy hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the Owens Valley. The nearest town is Bishop, which is a small, friendly community.
