Month: August 2009

Mt. Russell East Ridge (14,086′), August 12, 2009

On August 12 it was a pleasure to climb with Betsy on my favorite 3rd class route in the Sierra.  Betsy is a lifelong visitor to the Whitney area but had never been up Mt. Russell.  We met at the Whitney Portal Hostel and drove to Whitney Portal beginning our hike long before the sun came up.  A beautiful, clear, and warm night made the approach to Upper Boyscout Lake a very enjoyable hike.  We were treated to a gorgeous sunrise high above Upper Boyscout Lake.  We were greeted with superb weather making for another enjoyable ascent of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell.  After reaching the summit we  descended down the southwest chute, over the Whitney/Russell Col, past Iceberg Lake, and down to Whitney Portal in the afternoon with plenty of time to enjoy bacon cheeseburgers at the Whitney Portal Store.  The rest of the pictures are here:  http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2009-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-East-Ridge-August/9259727_M5WTg/1/618536412_RT9J4

Betsy above Upper Boyscout Lake before sunrise.

Betsy above Upper Boyscout Lake before sunrise.

Sunrise on Mt. Whitney

Sunrise on Mt. Whitney

The start of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

The start of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

Start of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

Starting up the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

The narrowest part of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

The narrowest part of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

Betsy traversing on the East Ridge of Mt. Russell

Betsy traversing on the East Ridge of Mt. Russell. Behind in the distance is Lake Tuleinyo, the highest lake in the Western Hemisphere.

Betsy pausing to enjoy the scenery on one of the catwalks on Mt. Russells East Ridge

Betsy pausing to enjoy the scenery on one of the "catwalks" on Mt. Russell's East Ridge

Betsy making moves on the high quality granite on Mt. Russells East Ridge

Betsy making moves on the high quality granite on Mt. Russell's East Ridge

Summit success on the East Ridge of Mt. Russell!

Summit success on the East Ridge of Mt. Russell!

East Face of Mt. Whitney, August 9-10, 2009

Andrew Lewicky from www.sierradescents.com and Eileen Bistrisky from Vancouver joined us for another memorable climb of the East Face of Mt. Whitney.  In addition to Kurt’s photos Andy wore a helmet cam for the climb.  Some of the video shot includes a great sequence on the Fresh Air Traverse, one of the funnest and most classic alpine climbing pitches in the country!   A detailed write up of the climb can be viewed here:  http://www.sierradescents.com/climbing/whitney/east-face.html.  Video cam footage of the Fresh Air Traverse can be viewed here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgzcz45arg.

Kurt’s photo’s of the climb are here:  http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2009-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Whitney-East-Face-August-9/9238581_C9w8F/1/616670270_kfDZd

Kurt, Eileen, Andy at Whitney Portal

Kurt, Eileen, and Andy at Whitney Portal

Hiking over granite slabs above Lower Boyscout Lake.

Hiking over granite slabs above Lower Boyscout Lake.

Creek running over granite slabs below Upper Boyscout Lake.

Creek running over granite slabs below Upper Boyscout Lake.

East Face of Whitney from below Iceberg Lake

East Face of Whitney from below Iceberg Lake

Sunrise from above Iceberg Lake

Sunrise from above Iceberg Lake

Moon over the East Face of Mt. Whitney

Moon over the East Face of Mt. Whitney

Eileen finishing the first pitch of the East Face of Whitney

Eileen finishing the first pitch of the East Face of Whitney

Andy finishing pitch 4 at the top of the Washboards

Andy finishing pitch 4 at the top of the Washboards

Eileen high on the East Face of Whitney with Iceberg Lake behind.

Eileen high on the East Face of Whitney with Iceberg Lake behind.

Eileen & Andy at a belay stance

Eileen & Andy at a belay stance

Eileen enjoying the exhilarating Fresh Air Traverse on Mt. Whitneys East Face.

Eileen enjoying the exhilarating Fresh Air Traverse on Mt. Whitney's East Face.

Andy topping out above the Fresh Air Traverse

Andy topping out above the Fresh Air Traverse

Eileen climbing above the Grand Staircase.

Eileen climbing above the Grand Staircase.

Summit success!!  Left to right:  Andy, Eileen, and Kurt

Summit success!! Left to right: Andy, Eileen, and Kurt

Norman Clyde Peak, NNE Face 13,851 feet July 31 – August 1, 2009

Norman Clyde Peak is named after the famous Sierra mountaineering pioneer.  It is located just north of Middle Palisade Peak (14,040′).   It has several high quality routes leading to its lofty summit and has one of the greatest views of any peak in the Sierra.  Because this peak gets overlooked by many mountaineers who focus on the California 14ers Norman Clyde Peak remains a hidden gem and one of the all time classic peaks in the Sierra.  The NNE Face is an intricate 3rd and 4th class ascent requiring good route finding skills and efficient climbing to make good time over its intricate route.

Sunrise of Norman Clyde Peak

Sunrise of Norman Clyde Peak

NNE Ridge of Norman Clyde Peak.  Our route on the NNE Face is on the right side of this ridge.

NNE Ridge of Norman Clyde Peak. Our route on the NNE Face is on the right side of this ridge.

NNE Face of Norman Clyde Peak

NNE Face of Norman Clyde Peak

NNE Face of Norman Clyde Peak

Starting the 4th class on the upper NNE Face of Norman Clyde Peak

Greg high on Norman Clyde Peak

Greg high on Norman Clyde Peak

The summit ridge of Norman Clyde Peak

The summit ridge of Norman Clyde Peak

Greg on the summit ridge of Norman Clyde Peak

Greg on the summit ridge of Norman Clyde Peak

Greg Gerlach on the summit of Norman Clyde Peak on August 1, 2009

Greg Gerlach on the summit of Norman Clyde Peak on August 1, 2009

Kurt Wedberg on the summit of Norman Clyde Peak, August 1, 2009

Kurt Wedberg on the summit of Norman Clyde Peak, August 1, 2009

View of the Palisades looking north from Norman Clyde Peak

View of the Palisades looking north from Norman Clyde Peak