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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 14, 2006 - 07:58pm PT
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I am posting the following for a friend of mine.
On Sat. June 10 my partner and I were beginning the descent of the Half Dome slabs. We were in the talus near the top when we heard rockfall above us, originating below the major (new?) scar near Tis-sa-ack. We had barely enough time to run into the manzanita before a shower of potentially lethal blocks strafed the gully. The rocks rolled all the way down the gully before disappearing as they reached the lower slabs.
Between us we have 50+ years of climbing experience, including, in the case of my partner, alpinism. It was the closest call ever for both of us.
In retrospect, maybe this was not a huge surprise. I noted evidence of recent rockfall in the gully while on the way up. Still, it may be that it is an especially active period for rockfall in this area and the risk-averse may
wish to use alternative approach/descent options for Half Dome.
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Jun 14, 2006 - 08:08pm PT
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How did it become a Half Dome?
Would it not be cool to speed up geologic time and watch the onion peel?
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Johno
Big Wall climber
Cape Town / Japan
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Jun 14, 2006 - 08:20pm PT
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Ben van der Klooster & partner nearly met the Grim Reaper there a couple of years back too. Take care & be ready to get out of Dodge quickly when something cuts loose.
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Lambone
Ice climber
Ashland, Or
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Jun 14, 2006 - 08:26pm PT
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wow sounds close, glad they are ok. that area looks pretty scary...
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Jun 14, 2006 - 08:26pm PT
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Tons of granite must fall off Half Dome every year.
Anyone get killed by rockfall on Half Dome?
Juan
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pyro
Trad climber
Ventura
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Jun 14, 2006 - 08:57pm PT
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that new scar started in nov of 2001.
chunks have been flying from the, "Angel scar" since then.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 14, 2006 - 11:17pm PT
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apparently it's visible on the half dome cam from reports (the scar, not the dust).
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funkness
climber
Ca.
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Jun 14, 2006 - 11:26pm PT
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"How did it become a Half Dome?
Would it not be cool to speed up geologic time and watch the onion peel?"
Come on Juanito, you know it was carved by a glacier, not exfoliation.
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cmclean
Trad climber
Menlo Park, CA
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Jun 15, 2006 - 02:11am PT
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I was on the Robbins Traverse when that rock fell on Saturday. I had been slightly on edge because there was other rockfall earlier in the day as well (around 3:30am). I saw the rock falling and hitting the ground, it was pretty big. About torso-sized, broke into a few head-sized rocks that went screaming down the slabs. Definitely enough to ruin your day. Glad to hear the people on the descent are safe!
After seeing that, I thought that the long approach was a better idea. After descending the long way, I'm not so sure...
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
Otto, NC
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Jun 15, 2006 - 12:37pm PT
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June seems bad for that. Wasn't that when Ben et al nearly bought it?
Last year.
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spyork
Social climber
Land of Green Stretchy People
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Jun 15, 2006 - 12:48pm PT
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Glad you're OK, Mr. Munge.
Steve
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2006 - 04:12pm PT
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it wasn't me, I'm posting for a friend. the friend and partner nearly got creamed. they are ok.
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Kironn Kid
Trad climber
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Oct 19, 2008 - 11:04pm PT
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When we did the Regular NW Face route, there were a few tourists on the summit, dropping rocks overboard, just to watch them fall. A couple of them almost took us out.
Kiron Kid
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Oct 20, 2008 - 12:16am PT
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God... if I could only get up into the Jet stream.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
From: From: From: From:
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Oct 20, 2008 - 01:41am PT
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I saw rockfall (rocks fall) from the middle of the face back in '89 or '90 and thought that was pretty unique but it sounds like it happens on a regular basis anyway . The Chief Tenaya Curse could still be in full effect , so do your best whistling in a graveyard , and be ready to dive into the manzanita (too) at any moment I guess .
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| Messages 1 - 15 of total 15 in this topic |
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