Climber Photos Prior to 1976

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hamie

Social climber

Thekoots

Oct 12, 2017 - 10:58am PT

^^^^^^Answers^^^^^^

It's Dave Bircheff on Higher Spire. P1

For some strange reason, which now eludes me, Dave and JB were wearing the same shirt. Perhaps it was a two for one, or maybe they boosted them on a dare.

Here's JB on P2.

Later that day, as we were walking back along the road to C4 with ropes slung across our shoulders, an approaching car slowed to a crawl, as the occupants checked us out. Chouinard's face loomed large in the passenger window. We could almost hear him saying "Who the f*ck are those guys?" He and Herbert had finished the FA of the Muir that morning, and were heading for the fleshpots. Deservedly so! We stared back in awe.

The torch was beginning to pass.........

hamie

Social climber

Thekoots

Oct 13, 2017 - 08:09pm PT

It looks like I am flogging a dead horse here. Ah well. Apologies are due to to the OP for hi-jacking his thread. Sorry 'bout that Don!

^^^^^ "Hint #1: He has a younger brother....." ^^^^^

Dave's younger brother is of course Phil Bircheff. The two of them subsequently teamed up with the late Jim Pettigrew for the FA of Lurking Fear.

This is Phil (you'll have to trust me here :))on the top of Phantom Pinnacle, an excellent 5.9 route. Phil was only 15 or 16 at the time, and he easily led the 5.9 pitch. According to the Red Roper there were then about 35 5.9 routes in the Valley, and only one 5.10, the Crack of Doom. Phil must have been one of the youngest, if not THE youngest to lead 5.9 in the Valley, and very likely on the continent as well. Most impressive.

Here's Phil starting the first rap off Phantom Pinnacle, a very exciting experience. We used the long sling around the waist and between the legs, with 6 biners method. It was all free, and you landed in the branches of a tree. Very exciting!!

Phantom Pinnacle is an excellent climb, but the approach will likely deter many of today's climbers.

Good times.