Rockfall Near Awahnee

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Messages 1 - 20 of total 20 in this topic

Buju

Big Wall climber

the range of light

Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 13, 2010 - 02:26am PT

did anyone see that today? it came off of the right side of the rhombus (i think)and looked pretty big...

gstock

climber

Yosemite Valley

Nov 13, 2010 - 04:11pm PT

The rockfall that occurred from the Rhombus Wall yesterday afternoon originated from the same source area that was first active in August of 2009, and experienced subsequent failures in September 2009, August 2010, September 2010, and October 2010. There was just another smaller rockfall from that same area less than an hour ago.

Video of one of the rockfalls that occurred in August 2009 can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0YhlqP1BgE&playnext=1&list=PL70F2D6E178801CE0&index=9

This area on the Rhombus Wall is proving to be a very interesting example of a progressive rockfall sequence, likely due to fracture propagation resulting from stress redistribution following each rockfall. I gave a talk on the Rhombus Wall rockfalls at the recent Geological Society of America meeting in Denver; the abstract for that talk (written in July of this year, prior to the more recent events) can be found here:

http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2010AM/finalprogram/abstract_178094.htm

Please use caution when approaching climbs in the Rhombus Wall/Royal Arches area, including Serenity/Sons and especially Super Slide.

Greg Stock
Park Geologist
(209) 379-1420
greg_stock@nps.gov

YosemiteSteve

Trad climber

Nov 13, 2010 - 04:19pm PT

Thanks, Greg. Sweet link. ;)

Jaybro

Social climber

Wolf City, Wyoming

Nov 13, 2010 - 05:05pm PT

Greg, you guys ever need a lapsed Paleontologist, kind of a Graham Greene kinda deal?

tuolumne_tradster

Trad climber

Leading Edge of North American Plate

Nov 13, 2010 - 06:44pm PT

Greg: thanks for posting the video link & keeping everyone up to date on rockfall activity.

sarabina

Social climber

the other Disney in...CA

Nov 13, 2010 - 06:50pm PT

Thank you Yosemite for giving me a couple reminders the last two days of why this place is so RAD to live in before I take off for NZ for the winter tomorrow. Today's release was LOUD!!! And thank you Greg!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 13, 2010 - 06:55pm PT

Thanks for the cool information.

I wish I would have known there was a conference in Denver. I work a few blocks from the convention center and would have loved to have wandered down to check it out and say hi to any tacos who were there.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Nov 13, 2010 - 08:12pm PT

hey there, say.. thanks for the rock info...

always more than meets the eye, in such cases...

thanks again...
:)

Rock!...oopsie.

Trad climber

the pitch above you

Nov 13, 2010 - 09:14pm PT

Thanks! Nice work. My only question is how long until Tony gets over here to try to tear you a new one for your efforts?

Tom

Big Wall climber

San Luis Obispo CA

Nov 13, 2010 - 09:53pm PT

OH MY FUKING GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE VALLEY IS SAFE NOWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT EVEN ON CLOSED ROUTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOT-DAM TOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNREAL MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND ON THE RHOMBUS OF ALL PLACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M GOING TO "TASTE THE METAL" RIGHT NOW... GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD.

Russ The Fish, c. 2006

Buju

Big Wall climber

the range of light

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2010 - 09:53pm PT

Got to watch today's failure from Sons of Yesterday. WOW! That was one of the most visceral experience I have ever had with nature!

Pictures to come!

-Roger

tom woods

Gym climber

Bishop, CA

Nov 13, 2010 - 10:38pm PT

Buju- I just hope it wasn't so visceral that you want to stay at home for a while.

I had that one- rivers of rock flowing like water down gullies. Airborne boulders the size of small cars and refrigerators sailing hundreds of feet. I could be dead, but by no skill or decisions that I made, I am still alive.

Rockfall is scary.

Gary Carpenter

climber

SF Bay Area

Nov 14, 2010 - 12:56am PT

Saw todays rockfall from Glacier Pt Apron. Glad we were on the opposite side of the valley. Should have a couple of photos
[photo[photo

way

climber

SF Bay Area

Nov 14, 2010 - 02:30am PT

I was at the anchor of serenity crack (first pitch), saw the whole thing, first it's a thunder like loud noise, I look up, see a truck size block in the process of breaking up, then the whole thing just collapse, falling, started very slow, but quickly picked up speed. a big cloud rise when it landed. few smaller (looks small, but probably refrigerator size) blocks shot down the talus field faster than others, almost reached the tree line.

It was scary.

2 l l

Sport climber

Rancho Verga, CA

Nov 14, 2010 - 03:17am PT

.. .rivers of rock flowing like water down gullies. ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51C7vEAVbxk

ß Î Ø T Ç H

climber

Nov 14, 2010 - 03:27am PT

Alot of water seeping down the cliff (seen in photes) prolly freezes/expands at night is my guess. Note there is already a big talus right where it falls.