Tuolumne TR 6/2&3/2012

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Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 4, 2012 - 01:13am PT
Tuolumne tripping
June 2&3 2012
Ed Hartouni
ablegabel

Eric's been eyeing various pinnacles along the road down from Tioga Pass for some time. This weekend we headed up to do one of them.
for us old and out-of-shape this was a 2 hour walk up to the pinnacle on the left side, the tallest and proudest looking one.

The view looking across the canyon is of Mt. Dana, the Dana Plateau and the Third Pillar of Dana
we had little information on this pinnacle. We were out for a first ascent, as usual... we picked a line to the left of some prominent wide cracks, which traversed over to a gully between from which we ascended an arete to the summit. 3 pitches, 40m length, 5.8 difficulty. Quite fun. I didn't get many climbing pictures, here's ablegabel on one of the belay ledges, probably the first.

The summit was quite a nice place, though a part of a sharp ridge with plenty of blocks. There was a cairn on top under which an old can which had contained "French Fried Salted Mixed Nuts" was located
now containing an summit register.

This was in bad shape, though it was from 1930. The only legible page:
informed us that Claude Fiddler and Rick Cashner had done the FA of the wide cracks in 1987. Rick went up the next year with Roy McClenahan (tarbuster). Great that we picked another line...

From the top it appeared a long way down to our pullout
walking off the peak to the north, then rapping twice to the talas got us on our way.

This weekend was another "full moon" weekend, so in keeping with my plan to shoot as many as I can, I had prepared for a shoot from Tioga pass. The summer haze to the east prevented a shot of the moon on the horizon, but I managed some nice images before the moon headed into the clouds. Here's a digital, I also shot a roll of black & white which I'll develop, scan and post later.
On the way back I stopped off at the TPR to say hi to Lynne.

On Sunday it was my turn to lead a "Creampuff" climb, we chose Harlequin Route 5.7 which traverses Harlequin dome, and only has a written description. It's a great route that crosses many classic routes.

We ran into Mike Bolte and his son at the parking lot before they took off for South Crack.

Here's a picture, though without notation so as not to spoil the adventure:
the route starts at the lower left and ascends diagonally up to the right edge of the "Hoodwink" roof where it meets the last pitch of The Sting which is "5.6".

What you can't see in that image is the ramp, here is a better view
which is paralleling the roof.

Super fun, but not a "gimme" climb, you have to earn it.

Had a great time with ablegabel and Oy!
Kalimon

Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
Jun 4, 2012 - 01:17am PT
Nice as usual Ed . . . keep getting after it!
klk

Trad climber
cali
Jun 4, 2012 - 01:21am PT
very cool-- that pinnacle looks killer from the highway. i've never been up there.

you have a clear shot of the peanut can?
Greg Barnes

climber
Jun 4, 2012 - 01:26am PT
Nice!

I love the "boulder's eye view" of the highway shooting gallery!
Captain...or Skully

climber
Jun 4, 2012 - 01:26am PT
Fricken Sweet.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
bouldering
Jun 4, 2012 - 01:36am PT
Worthy outing. Propers sent.
susu

Trad climber
East Bay, CA
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:36am PT
Enjoyed you TR. Good going! What a nice find at the top. I hope you two left a note too.
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
Jun 4, 2012 - 08:53am PT
So retro it's fresh! Sounds like a great weekend, and you brought back a fine TR for the rest of us.
Crimpergirl

Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
Jun 4, 2012 - 09:11am PT
Yes - thanks! Looking forward to the next.
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2012 - 09:37am PT
thanks all for the comments...
the "boulder eye" view of the highway was taken off the summit... a bit blocky but everything seemed to stay put during our visit.

a closeup of the can
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jun 4, 2012 - 09:40am PT
Watch out Ed! If that can is over 50 years old removing it from a National Park could get you a life sentence. Nice TR!
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2012 - 09:49am PT
the can is back in it's place... we were apparently the 5th or 6th party to summit, there was one entry in 1954, and the original entry, then the two above... no pencil in the can or with us so we didn't sign in (though the paper wouldn't have taken another signing).

one of the older registers I've come across...
martygarrison

Trad climber
Washington DC
Jun 4, 2012 - 10:26am PT
Dang that looks like fun. Makes me want to move back out west.
Zander

climber
Jun 4, 2012 - 03:46pm PT
Looks like good times.
z
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:24pm PT
Hideous approach up to that pinnacle, Ed. I've looked up there a hundred times and said to myself, "No way!" But I bet you can find some even worse approaches up the north side of Lee Vining Canyon down near the intersection where you leave the Tioga Road to get to Aspen Campground. Look up the talus piles there gives a new meaning to the word, "Despair"! Gives you a brief glimpse into the minds of the German POWs at Stalingrad as they were marched off to Siberia (most never to return). But if you look up there with binos, I'm sure you'll find some virgin rock!
ladyscarlett

Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
Jun 4, 2012 - 05:06pm PT
mmmm, this looks delicious!

To think, at this time last year, I couldn't even begin to dream of looking at adventures like this..

TFPU!

Cheers

LS
nutjob

Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
Jun 4, 2012 - 06:38pm PT
Another good day in the hills. Bonus cardio training!
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Jun 4, 2012 - 07:19pm PT

As always, thanks for sharing, Ed.
Hope you have a clear evening for the full moon tonight!
ablegabel

Trad climber
Dublin,Ca.
Jun 4, 2012 - 10:25pm PT
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
Jun 4, 2012 - 10:42pm PT
Good times Ed, great post.
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