Trip Report
A Cell Phone Trip Report, With An Old Friend
Tuesday June 28, 2016 12:43pm
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This trip report is dedicated to my fellow Survival Instructor, climbing partner and great friend Mark Vojtko, who I first climbed this with 33 years ago.
John Rich, great climber that I've known since I was in high school, called me last Tuesday and asked if I wanted to head up to Tuolumne Meadows.
Yes, the Southeast Face of Cathedral Peak is a popular place, but I could only swing a couple days out.
I left my home at 1,000 ft. late Wednesday morning and arrived in Tuolumne at 4PM. I had the evening to acclimate a bit.
My desire to keep it pretty light led me to rely on a cell phone camera. The downside is that you can't see the damn display in bright sunlight!!
At about 6:30AM we were at the trailhead. A beautiful hike up had us arriving at the base second, on a Thursday, not bad! There are many options as to where to climb, so it was easy to get started before many parties showed up.
There are a couple choke points, but in general, it all went quite smoothly.
Back in a moment, as this OP is getting a little unwieldy.
Thanks to John for inviting me out. I needed it.
survival
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About the Author survival is a big wall climber from A Token of My Extreme. |
Comments
JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Jun 28, 2016 - 12:50pm PT
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I look forward to the rest. I like what I see thus far. I confess that I last went up the SW side of Cathedral Peak 40 years ago. The crowds have been too much in the times I've had available, but the memories last. Thanks much.
John
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Ed H
Trad climber
Santa Rosa, CA
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Jun 28, 2016 - 12:57pm PT
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Way to get after it guys! I think Cathedral is a 'do every year' route. 5 star approach, climb, summit, and descent. Nice to see that much snow in June, and the streams flowing. Life!
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Author's Reply
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Jun 28, 2016 - 01:00pm PT
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The Aussies that we topped out next to. Marty Barr and Anna?
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Author's Reply
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Jun 28, 2016 - 01:06pm PT
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Ok, there's the final post, so poor downtrodden Jefe doesn't have to go looking for it!!
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Larry Nelson
Social climber
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Jun 28, 2016 - 01:13pm PT
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Wow, pretty darn good pictures for a telephone...lol.
One of my favorite climbs.
I've done it 3 times, but not in many years due to the crowds.
TFPU
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this just in
climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
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Jun 28, 2016 - 01:17pm PT
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Ok, there's the final post, so poor downtrodden Jefe doesn't have to go looking for it!!
F*#king awesome.
Thanks for the trip report. What a great route.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, Bozeman, the ocean, or ?
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Jun 28, 2016 - 01:54pm PT
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There is some fun stuff going on there...good healthy eatin' too!
Susan
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
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Jun 28, 2016 - 03:06pm PT
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Looks like a lot of fun Bruce.
It's great to see old friends again!
Thanks!
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 28, 2016 - 04:46pm PT
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Did you get old and slow since you and I last went climbing? You must have, cuz it sounds like it took you all day to climb that thing.
Looks like a minor bump on a ridge somewhere -- you should have enjoyed the day and waited until about 18:00 and blasted up it just like we did at Smith Rocks. Back at camp in two or three hours, with some daylight left, no problem.
Not!
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Jun 28, 2016 - 05:19pm PT
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That looks grim. A real survival epic. :0)
Mosquitoes?
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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Jun 28, 2016 - 05:27pm PT
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i read every word of it ... it was good ... highlight of my happyhour!
especially liked part with the aussies adapting to being up over
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Jun 28, 2016 - 05:30pm PT
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Did you cheat and post this from a computer. A true cell phone report has to be typed out on the tiny touch screen.
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clarkolator
climber
Flatlands of Yolo
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Jun 28, 2016 - 05:57pm PT
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Wow, great TR, great peak, and great to see Mr. Rich after all these years. I'm getting all misty. Way to bring it, survival!
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jun 28, 2016 - 06:22pm PT
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Nice, thank you for sharing!
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Author's Reply
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Jun 28, 2016 - 06:36pm PT
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Fet, yes it was actually done from my cell phone, the whole thing!!
Ghost, I know I wasn't hard as Superman's kneecaps like you n me, but in this case it was six miles, six pitches with a small pack, and 11,000 ft top out. And no, it didn't take ALL day!! We left the rig at about 6:40AM and were back at the car at 5PM, so nyah nyah nyah!!
Clarkolator, who are you? John's climbed with just about everybody eh? He's a climbing WHORE!!
eKAT!!
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Jun 28, 2016 - 09:19pm PT
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Love ya Bruce!
Looks like a gas, glad you had fun!
This tr is definitely lacking your signature over saturated mirror image psychedelic photos, though.
Kinda disappointed. :-)
Actually just real jealous.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Jun 29, 2016 - 10:58am PT
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Love ya Bruce! Looks like a gas, glad you had fun!,
This tr is definitely lacking your signature over saturated mirror image psychedelic photos, though.
Kinda disappointed. :-)
Actually just real jealous.
Credit: drljefe!
You guys are ROCKin It! excellent
oldsters. Getting some!will these over saturated snaps Do ?
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Author's Reply
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Jun 29, 2016 - 11:33am PT
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For Jefe, hahahahaaaa!!
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L
climber
Just livin' the dream
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Jun 29, 2016 - 12:03pm PT
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A Most Excellent cellphone-photo-minimal-wordage TR, Bruce.
I haven't done Cathedral in a dozen years, but your pix have me jonesing for every one of those spectacular views.
Thanks for taking us along with you.
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