the Sierra 2008

an incredible week in the High Sierra with Young Alex Honnold

I hadn't really been climbing much in the last 12 months because of my shoulder surgery and was in need of a bit of a roadtrip. Ellen was busy with work, so I called up my young friend Alex and made some plans for a week in the Sierra. It was super wicked fun.

Day 1 - Mt. Goode

North Buttress - about 5.8 or 5.9; about a 3hr. beautiful approach; fun route; lots of simul-climbing; topped out by noon and were down before some storms moved in (photos)

Day 2 - Bear Creek Spire

North Arete, 5.7; again about a 3 hour approach, approx 10 pitches (we did it in two long simul-climbed pitches); on the summit by 10:30am, down the NE ridge, and back down before storms moved in. (photos)

Day 3 - Hiking into the Pallisades

more hiking - about 7miles with 4000ft of gain to bivy at the base of the "Thunderbolt to Sill" traverse. (photos)

Day 4 - Thunderbolt to Sill

tent to tent in about 12 hours, tons of hiking, tons of easy soloing, five 14,000ft peaks (I think), then the long hike back to the van in the rain (photos)

Day 5 - Rest day - Crystal Peak

a "rest day" above Mammoth - about an hour approach and a 500ft 5.7 and mostly easier. (photos)

Day 6 - Third Pillar of Dana

I heard nothing but great things about this route. We hooked up with Jeff Maudlin, Jon Gleason, B-rad & Katie, and did this thing in 3 parites of two - tons of fun. Two hour beauty approach, 5 pitches up to 5.10. (photos)

Day 6 (part 2) - Craggin' in Tuolumne

The Third Pillar wasn't enough for B-rad and never-get-tired Alex so it was off to Puppy Dome for some 5.11 and 5.12 cracks (photos)

Day 7- Tenaya to Matthes Crest to Cathedral Peak

Ten hours of hiking and easy soloing starting with Tenaya, then cross country to the super cool Matthes crest, and finishing by battling the crowds on Cathedral Peak (photos)

Day 8- Bachar/Yerian

We had our sights set on one more mountain route but the knees were dusted so Alex decided to do the Bachar/Yerian while, luckilly, there was a fixed line on the route beside - so I shot photos. (photos)

Day 8 (part 2) - Zee Tree

Finishing up with an easy Tuolumne slab (photos)

Miscellaneous

We were lucky enough to meet up with a few folks from work - Bob and his family, as well as Jeff and his family. We poached on their campsite which was great, played catch with their kids and even drank some of their beer.

On the way back to the airport I made a quick stop at a dog breeder - just to have a look... (photos)