Chris Brown's Blog » egmont key

Adventure Surf in the Gomex | Round 2

chris_brown — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:23:38 +0000

As a strong cold front barreled its way across the Southeast, plans emerged to check out Egmont Key for potential surf. After a promising exploratory mission to Shell Key a few weeks prior, the gang was psyched to see what a stronger system would produce wave-wise.

The front pushed through Wednesday night and Thursday was the day. The strong winds coupled with a huge full moon low tide made for some tricky conditions. It was not possible to safely get to Egmont. The shipping channel that seperates Egmont Key and Fort Desoto was completely closed out on either side with 4 – 8 ft breaking waves and shallow water. After unsuccessfully attempting to get through, we decided to check the inlet between Fort Desoto and Shell Key: Bunce’s Pass.

By the time we were in the water, the waves had diminished to 2 – 3 feet. Had we stopped at Bunce’s first we surely would have enjoyed the 3 – 5 footers we saw rolling through. Though it was no Teahupoo, the lack of crowds and the effort required to get there ensured all came away smiling

One From Memorial Day

chris_brown — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:22:49 +0000

Got out to Egmont Key to shoot a sunset piece over the holiday weekend. Birds were everywhere, and the weather was even nice enough to build a few clouds for the shot.

Tampa Area Buildering Guide

chris_brown — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:48:01 +0000

Are you a rock climber stuck in Florida? Are you in desperate need of vertical terrain to challenge your bluff scaling needs?

Look no further because here’s your holy grail:

Egmont Video

chris_brown — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:03:18 +0000

The crew headed to Egmont to enjoy the first cold front of the season. Video pieced together from over 800 stills.

Tampa Bay Area Online Buildering Guide

chris_brown — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:44:33 +0000

Much thanks to Ard over at buildering.net for pioneering the groundwork necessary for this online guide.

Check it out: Bay Area Buildering Guide.

Paradise

chris_brown — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:49:37 +0000

Egmont Key – Fort Desoto’s hot sister, is home to not only thousands of nesting shore birds, but also some of Florida’s finest bouldering. Battery Bigelow at Fort Dade on Egmont Key was destroyed by hurricanes in 1932 leaving behind gently overhung walls right at the waters edge. While its no Virgin Gorda, the beach front bouldering on Egmont Key never the less provides an idyllic setting for the adventurous flatlander.

Use your preferred mode of water transport to reach Egmont.

Launching from the fishing pier at Fort Desoto, it takes about 2 hours to reach Egmont by kayak or canoe while dodging the huge freighters and cruise ships that run the channel between the islands.

Hand crack at Egmont.

Topo of bouldering at Egmont. Click for larger version.

Storming the fort.

chris_brown — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:13:28 +0000

Climbing is where you find it. Some people have marvelous crags a mere stone’s throw from their homes, while others (namely us Floridians) may not be so fortunate. Those not blessed with the presence of rocks nearby have taken to the streets in search of human creations upon which to feed their hunger. Skyscrapers, freeway overpasses, and municipal buildings all lead second lives as virtual El Caps, Columbia Boulders, and Endless Walls for those with the vision. Here in St. Petersburg, we have Fort Desoto.

Bouldering at Fort Desoto.

Climbing is dangerous!

In 1898 construction began on Fort Desoto. Made from a shell, stone and concrete mixture, the walls of this fort have weathered many storms almost flawlessly. Those few flaws that do exist provide a perfect playground for climbers trapped in Florida. Small crimps and thin cracks have been pieced together by locals to create a handful of surprisingly quality boulder problems.

The Iron Seagull.

The Trash Can Arete.

Fort Desoto has a sibling named Fort Dade, located on Egmont Key.