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Messages 1 - 10 of total 10 in this topic |
oldcragger
Trad climber
Truckee,CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 8, 2009 - 02:38am PT
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I'm interested in info on the N.E. Gully route. Basically, I'm looking for a reasonably easy solo route as my first outing since achilles surgery. The approach is listed as only 45 minutes which sounds good but wondering about rock quality and route finding. Anyone done it recently?
Michael
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Rankin
climber
North Carolina
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Haven't done it recently, but I'd recommend Mt. Emerson instead. Similar length of approach/climb/descent, but with much better rock and a ridge traverse to the summit. I got into some pretty crappy rock at the top on Laurel, and was bummed I hadn't stayed more left (maybe better there). Either way Emerson seemed like a nicer climb. Approach is about an hour, off of Pauite Pass.
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Misha
Trad climber
Woodside, CA
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The NE gully (and the rest of the mountain) was covered in fresh snow last weekend. It may be "over" for the season
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Brian Hench
Trad climber
Anaheim, CA
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I question the wisdom of testing out your body after recovering from injury by going solo. What if things aren't as healed up as they seem?
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oldcragger
Trad climber
Truckee,CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 8, 2009 - 12:48pm PT
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I've been out hiking and sport climbing locally since the Dr's ok (surgery was in May) so it won't be completely untested. I don't have a partner for my week off so I would rather solo a long easy route than boulder and risk reinjury with a fall. Thanks for the tip on Mt. Emmerson.
Michael
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pyrosis
Trad climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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I did the NE gulley of Laurel a few years back, in high summer. I remember it being an enjoyable climb, just a little bit of choss. Mostly the rock right in the bottom of the gulley seemed to be nice blue limestone (!), an abnormality in the Sierra. Morrison is made of the same stuff, though steeper and more dangerous. Anyway, I remember the cruxes of the route being class 4 'stairsteps' where you would boulder up a steep bit for 10-20' or so, not real hard but exposed enough that you wouldn't want to fall, then the angle would ease back and you would basically walk to the next 'step'.
It might be a bit late in the season but I thought it was an enjoyable route and worth doing. No need for a rope, there isn't really anywhere for gear up there anyway. Might be a bit late in the season now though. If you do go, enjoy!
-Tavis
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jfailing
Trad climber
A trailer park in the Sierras
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I found that my achilles were the most worked part of my body after doing Laurel - mostly from flat-footing up those endless friction slabs of quartzite higher on the route.
If you're trying to be gentle on the achilles, you could maybe hike up backwards...
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BCD
Trad climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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I just drove by Convict and there's still a little bit of snow lingering at the top of the climb. Not much, but it could be enough to make the last 5th class section wet and/or icy.
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