Trip Report
The Idiots Guide To Descending Lone Pine Peak

by drc
Monday March 23, 2009 8:33pm
"The Reverse South Face" **
Grade IV, Class 3, A0
First Known Winter Nighttime Descent: March 16/17, 2009 Dirtbag Vic and Crass Kras.
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Gear: The crux pitches of this mega-classic are now equipped with fixed anchors. Some parties, however, may find a light alpine rack helpful. In addition, to fully enjoy this adventure, you will need winter bivy gear (including stove and pot for melting snow), ice axes, 70 meter rope, lots of Gu and Nicorette, a borderline functional cell phone, and a partner of equally questionable capacity for rational decision making.
Like him...
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Or this exalted specimen of cerebral prowess
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Approach:
Highly detailed descriptions and topos can be found here so I will only include a general outline here.
Ascend the North-East Ridge of Lone Pine Peak from the desert floor.
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In winter conditions this may require technical climbing ranging from 5.tree to 5.aid along with plenty of walking, scrambling, snow traverses, and a rappell or two.
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Along the way you will encounter stunning views, first-rate accomodations, and fine dining.
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It is important to keep in mind that the ridge does eventually end. Not today, not tomorrow, but maybe the day after. Once you have completely lost that faith and are fully
convinced that you will spend the rest of your life on this approach, you'll know that you are close to the start of "The Reverse South Face". Surmount the final headwall (3 pitches 5.snow/5.loose) and follow the description in the next section.


Finding the Route:
If you have timed the approach correctly you will arrive at the summit plateau with about an hour of daylight left on the third day. Turn to your left and cast an explorer's gaze towards Owens Valley. This is what you'll see.
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Now, convince yourself that you WILL be at the car THAT night and GO.
Important: Speed is safety in the mountains and if you feel compelled to engage in any time-wasting maneuvers such as checking the map or, worse yet, hunkering down for another bivy, then "The Reverse South Face" is not an appropriate route for you and you should return when you can truly rise to the level of derangement required by this proud testpiece. If, on the other hand, your reptilian brain is happily oblivious to any considerations outside of a 12oz bottle, then you are ready,... carry on, you'll see the start soon enough. It looks like this:
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The Climb:
Engage in an endless series of ever steepening rappells down the offset ramp system in a huge right-facing corner. As each ramp peters out, imagine that the glimmer you see at the very end of your headlamp highbeam is indeed flat(er) ground/snow, that the going will get easy from there, and launch into a free hanging rap towards it feeling smug about bringing the 70 instead of the 50. Upon discovering that it is just another ramp, anchor in, forget everything you've learned so far, rinse and repeat. Build your anchors to keep you out of the way of the shower of snowmelt coming down the corner. This isn't really possible, but it's fun to try. You will earn extra style points if you arrange to leave ALL your gear except for the Yellow Alien which someone shall have to pry from your cold dead fingers after you and your pathetic excuse for a rap anchor are found somewhere in Tuttle Creek.

Eventually you will come to a sloping 2'x4' ledge fully equipped with a mini-tree, some horns, and a trickle of running water. This is a luxurious place to wait for the sunrise and will eventually become your home for the night, but for now it is best to fail in appreciating its significance and better yet to fail to see it entirely. Instead continue rappelling past it to the end of the rope arguing against the basic premises of Newtonian mechanics to try to not get tensioned off into the void from the slipery and narrowing ramp. Sir Isaak will eventually prevail in this little debate which is why he is immortalized in the annals of scientific literature and you are well on your way to an
ANAM writeup, perhaps even a Darwin Award.

Relax, and enjoy the ride. It is entertaining to contemplate what you know about tensioned ropes grinding over sharp edges. You may wonder if the fact that the rope is frozen makes it stronger or more likely to snap like a breadstick, whether Sir Isaak Newton knows, and whether you will get to ask him in person shortly. Or you can just scream. Either way, spinning at the end of the pendulum, it is a great place for some quiet introspection. While your partner makes a frantic call to Inyo SAR and has the phone crap out right after mumbling something about steep terrain and the Tuttle Creek drainage, take the time to fully appreciate the epic magnitude of your folly. Take the time to feel proud of yourself. Wow, you've finally arrived at the end of the line(literally). You have finally crossed the ill defined border between hardass and dumbass. Limits of idiocy reached and breached on "The Reverse South Face" of Lone Pine Peak. Enjoy the moment.

Now, get your sh*t together and start prussiking, moron. A few inches at a time so as not to bounce that rope over the edge too much. The longer it takes the better because it's keeping you warm and busy. Dry-heave from dehydration occasionally, sucking on the rope won't really help. Upon reaching the aformentioned ledge, anchor in and start collecting sips from the trickle (one every 5 minutes or so, but VERY tasty) while your partner raps down to you. Wrap your sleeping bags around yourselves and engage in witty repartee. Console yourselves with the fact that Warren Harding had to be rescued once too which will make it ever so slightly less embarrassing. Occasional fits of sleep will be interrupted by the sharp tug of your tether as you slide off the ledge.

In the morning, with your vision unimpaired by the combined factors of darkness and cretinism, rig a not too complicated series of rappells and arrive at easier ground just in time to see the helicopter show up. Wave them off with a feeling of relief at having finally done something borderline competent. The chopper will continue to monitor your progress throughout the day (ALL DAY) which it actually takes to hike back to the desert floor. When you get back to the car and charge the phone, you will probably find out that Sgt. Hardcastle has called your mother earlier that morning to clarify the descrepancy between the name on the registration on the car and the name of the caller from the previous night. He told her that everything was fine but upon hearing the words "search and rescue", "the woman became hysterical". Call your mother. Call your girlfriend and sister too. Call Sgt. Hardcastle to thank him and leave a donation to Inyo SAR. Congratulations, you've completed "The Reverse South Face".

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  Trip Report Views: 8,168
drc
About the Author
drc is a trad climber from San Francisco, CA.

Comments
tom woods

Gym climber
Bishop, CA
  Mar 23, 2009 - 08:47pm PT
good to hear it turned out all right.
labrat

Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
  Mar 23, 2009 - 08:59pm PT
Funny
Thanks
murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
  Mar 23, 2009 - 08:59pm PT
Are you sure that is the best way down?

Great ER.
Salamanizer

Trad climber
The land of Fruits & Nuts!
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:05pm PT
Someday, you'll look back at this experience and laugh.

For the rest of us, that day is today!

Hehe!
kev

climber
A pile of dirt.
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:09pm PT
Ha DRC was laughing about it over beers a few nights ago!

Good job brah!

kev
mark miller

Social climber
Reno
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:09pm PT
Dude I'm 1 in 4 on that Freakin' ridge it's beyond Uber classic true Bonnatti adventure.Nice job but there is an easier descent. I want to do that lunar or solar or whatever it is called buttress that ends on the NR.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:25pm PT
anyone want to post up the real descent?
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:35pm PT
Yesssss!!!!
johnboy

Trad climber
Can't get here from there
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:44pm PT
Hilariously classy.
What do you got planned for your next epic?
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
  Mar 23, 2009 - 09:46pm PT
Wild. Glad to hear you survived it!
tooth

Trad climber
B.C.
  Mar 23, 2009 - 10:22pm PT
Great TR and great pics! Thanks.
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
  Mar 23, 2009 - 10:28pm PT
DRC... as per our conversation the other night I can't heckle too much but.... Holy Fu*&^%$ Bagalaar! The shot with the chopper is classic and I want to see it blown up in your house. Second, You are now on electronic item carrying probation for any further climbing endeavors grade I-VI until proven you can avoid the dreaded drunk dial. This probationary period will consist of mandatory load humping, beer runs, and leading all pitches deemed "unsatisfactory" by partners for a period of no less than.....

You are still my favorite russian, happy you guys made it and great read!

Redwreck

Social climber
Echo Parque, Los Angeles, CA
  Mar 23, 2009 - 10:30pm PT
Classic. I want to get helicoptered to the top of that thing so I'll be nice and fresh for that awesome descent.
klk

Trad climber
cali
  Mar 23, 2009 - 10:32pm PT
quality.

this is especially good reading for those of you who have done the route and agonized over the proper descent chute/gully or at least read the descent description in secor.

bonus style points for the retro hat and beard.

you'd have racked up even more had it been a balaclava, in that same grey wool.
Anastasia

climber
Home
  Mar 23, 2009 - 10:40pm PT
Oh my, I had to share this one with "everyone" including non-climbers. Everyone is greatly appreciating it. You guys rock!!!
Good job for making it out and... Thanks for telling us what "not to do" with such a happy ending! :)AF
cleo

Social climber
wherever you go, there you are
  Mar 23, 2009 - 11:03pm PT
well done. tell krasner that sumi and i enjoyed this report :)
Crimpergirl

Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
  Mar 24, 2009 - 12:31am PT
Excellent read and great photos! Thanks for the laugh and glad you made it down well...
Brian

climber
California
  Mar 24, 2009 - 12:46am PT
High comedy (pun intended). Glad you are alright.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
  Mar 24, 2009 - 12:48am PT
Classic! Epic! Adventure! Thanks!
yosguns

climber
  Mar 24, 2009 - 01:15am PT
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=816248
matisse

climber
  Mar 24, 2009 - 01:46am PT
Classic. You guys rock. thanks for the TR
crøtch

climber
  Mar 24, 2009 - 02:33am PT
righteous tr
nutjob

Sport climber
Almost to Hollywood, Baby!
  Mar 24, 2009 - 07:07am PT
Awesome adventure, and extra points for the witty and stylish write-up!

Can I keep you in the list of potential partners if I get so desperate for acknowledgment that I try for ANAM?
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
  Mar 24, 2009 - 08:10am PT
wowza

glad to hear to tale

Cheers!
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
  Mar 24, 2009 - 08:30am PT
Just as I'm losing hope in Supertopo, lately swamped by soapboxers who hate, along comes
another fine climbing tale. Well illustrated too, that was a fun read.
KlimbIn

climber
Sandstonia
  Mar 24, 2009 - 10:11am PT
This is very good.
Glad you're here humorously to tell us about it.

and when read with this TR:

"The Idiot's girlfriend's Guide to Descending Lone Pine Peak"

It is excellent.

Thank you both.
Bertrand

climber
California
  Mar 24, 2009 - 11:17am PT
Now I understand why you didn't want to tell me in person. Can't wait for the musical.
sneville

climber
  Mar 24, 2009 - 11:28am PT
Drc,
Glad to hear you are ok. I knew you were up to some kind of sufferfest. I love the pictures. Let me know if you just want to do some climbing close to the car. Does anyone have a picture of the correct descent?
Sean
Dolomite

climber
Anchorage
  Mar 24, 2009 - 01:20pm PT
Awesome report, thanks. I had my own epic descent on Lone Pine a long time back in different circumstances: 105 degree July heat. It involved dehydration, blind rappels, general disorientation and eventual wandering onto the valley floor, a day or two late and miles from the car. All good, when you live to tell, eh?

I know we all have different ideas of what the purpose of ST is, and that's as it should be. But I find it a little odd that a thread as great as this one can't stay on page one for 24 hours. I'm bumping yosgun's "tr" too--a sweet pairing.
Paulina

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Mar 24, 2009 - 01:28pm PT
Glad you're ok. Hopefully nobody will follow your instructions, though. :-) Thanks for the great writeup!
mack

Trad climber
POKE-O-MOONSHINE
  Mar 24, 2009 - 02:02pm PT
Great TR...Funny read. Glad you made it back ok. I love trip reports with wonderful pics.
Leslie
Roger Breedlove

climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
  Mar 24, 2009 - 02:20pm PT
Great TR and HR (yosguns' home report).
corniss chopper

climber
breaking the speed of gravity
  Mar 24, 2009 - 02:22pm PT
The views of a wintertime bivi on LPP are awesome due to the low sun angle.
I've walked this route. Water may be had on the summit plateau above the tree line in the grassy clumps.
The sand/gravel line is best for going down if you can find the
ledge to cross over to it.

yosguns

climber
  Mar 24, 2009 - 02:49pm PT
Bump...cause I'd like to keep us together too!
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
  Mar 24, 2009 - 02:50pm PT
So dissimilar and yet so much climbing spirit, between the 2 Lone Pine TRs and Southern Belle
on ST's front page today.
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
  Mar 24, 2009 - 04:20pm PT
Bump for being an honest Iron curtain cowboy!
graniteclimber

Trad climber
The Illuminati -- S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Division
  Mar 24, 2009 - 06:27pm PT
bump
Brutus of Wyde

climber
Old Climbers' Home, Oakland CA
  Mar 24, 2009 - 06:59pm PT
Nice TR!!!

Keeping off the rappels really isn't hard at all:

If it looks like you're heading toward cliffs (That huge south face seen when looking up Tuttle Creek) don't go that way.

(If you haven't looked up at the South Face, then remember in Gladiator when the hero is trying to get back to his wife and kid before the Praetorians kill them, and pauses to have a campfire... That's the Peak in the background, and the left escarpment is the thing you DON'T want to descend unless you like to write TRs like this one)...

ANYWAYS, don't go that way.

If it gets dark, bivy before getting into trouble (Done that two different times on the way down from the summit plateau)

Hope this helps!

Brutus

"Experience is the worst teacher: It gives you the test before you have taken the course."
kev

climber
A pile of dirt.
  Mar 24, 2009 - 07:16pm PT
Does DRC have a new nickname ? The chef suggested
"iron curtain cowboy?" Kinda fitting

kev
roy

Social climber
NZ -> SB,CA -> Zurich
  Mar 24, 2009 - 07:37pm PT
Great TR and thanks for posting up such a fine tale. Must go up there myself sometime...

Cheers, Roy
mark miller

Social climber
Reno
  Mar 24, 2009 - 08:18pm PT
Your TR is great but the route info on the Link is inaccurate, on dates at least.
I climbed that Route with Harding's et al,( Christy Tews) in 82 or 83 and the summit registry already had many ascents including winter ascents back then.
Zander

climber
  Mar 24, 2009 - 09:09pm PT
Sweet TR,
Thanks,
Zander
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
  Mar 24, 2009 - 11:43pm PT
Back to the front page bump.....
stevep

Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
  Mar 25, 2009 - 12:47am PT
Great TR. I've looked up at that ridge a few times, and while it looked fun, I did wonder about the time back to the car.
TYeary

Social climber
State of decay
  Mar 25, 2009 - 02:17am PT
Great tr. When Victor and I were talking on the phone, I had no idea what an E-ticket this really was. Nice job in getting up ,over, and down. Sheesh!
Tony
Jana

Sport climber
Martin
  Mar 25, 2009 - 03:22pm PT
Last until August at least! j/k

I really enjoyed reading this. Amazing adventure!

I am truly happy you guys are safe..
FinnMaCoul

Trad climber
Green Mountains, Vermont
  Mar 25, 2009 - 04:15pm PT
Excellent. Way to bring the morbid humor of the moment to a TR.
Doug Robinson

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
  Mar 25, 2009 - 04:37pm PT
approach...from the desert floor

That's not merely the approach, it's the direct start to the approach. Rarely even contemplated. Foolishness worthy of the great Warren Harding. Uh...didn't see any bunnies, did you?

Nice...
drc

Trad climber
Durham, NC
Author's Reply  Mar 25, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
No white bunnies DR, there was some deliriuos contemplation of the Williamson escapade next winter.
Doug Robinson

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
  Mar 25, 2009 - 05:00pm PT
Ahhh...

Now that the iron door of "official" winter has clanged shut, visions of Williamson are safely distant.

For now.

Pass me that hookah. I need a shot of that, what was it? Strawberry banana? Peachy half-rack?
Willoughby

Social climber
Truckee, CA
  Mar 26, 2009 - 03:31am PT
Just back from an OT road trip, and this...this does not deserve to be buried on the third page.

Hilarious and well-written epic-with-a-happy-ending BUMP!!!!!
travelin_light

climber
Boulder, Colorado
  Mar 26, 2009 - 11:08am PT
So we can we say there is now a rap route coming off the SFLPP? Sweet! Way to play it cool and get down in one piece. Hilarious TR!

The funny thing was that we were up there the same day you guys were. We were trying to send Dynamo Hum, the massive right facing dihedral that you came down several hours later. Did you see our tracks/anchors anywhere? We had to bail because it started falling apart and water was gushing everywhere. There was some nice mixed pitches but it had just gotten too warm.

Charles
drc

Trad climber
Durham, NC
Author's Reply  Mar 26, 2009 - 12:55pm PT
Dude!!!!
Your tracks were like a guiding light in that canyon. We followed them all the way to the stone house. Would've taken twice as long without em. It was still a bit confusing around "The Hole".
Cheers
V

snowey

Trad climber
San Diego
  Mar 26, 2009 - 02:00pm PT
Thats crazy that you guys found our tracks. We knew that the gully we were in cliffed out so we decided to switch gullies through that hole. It was pretty cool how it ended up working out.

Nice TR! The thing I love most about spending the time to write a good TR is when you read it again after a year or two or 10. It really brings you back to the moment and brings a smile to your face. I can see you reading this TR some years down the line. Good for you!

I think traveling_light and I might write up something about our dynamo hum failure. Or at least our Ambien induced ice tool fight. stay tuned...
Nate Ricklin

climber
San Diego
  Mar 26, 2009 - 02:28pm PT
Nice Send on the NER in Winter! Did you do the straight-up exit variation or the death gully?

Oh, and had you guys done the descent from LPP before?! It can get WAY gnarly down in Tuttle Creek, manzanita-style. I wouldn't want to do it for the first time at night... You guys basically went down the worst possible way, I can't believe you rapped the south face!
drc

Trad climber
Durham, NC
Author's Reply  Mar 26, 2009 - 02:43pm PT
We looked for the 5.7/fingercrack rock exit but I don't think we found it. Basically from the notch at the end of the ridge we went more or less straight up following the path of least resistance/mental taxation. As in, yarding on gear on anything close to vertical. There were some snow chutes and lots of loose stuff. We saw what looked like a finger crack over the final overhang, but Kras decided it looked like 5.12 and traversed to the right and then up. It involved some belly crawling but was not too hard.
Agreed, if our objective had been to find the worst possible descent, then we succeeded;)
kev

climber
A pile of dirt.
  Mar 26, 2009 - 02:46pm PT
DRC,

You definitely beat Ian and my descent off banner. Hell, the chopper pretty much trumps most everything (except actually getting in one)

kev
crøtch

climber
  Mar 26, 2009 - 03:13pm PT
Did I hear someone say "Banner"?
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
  Mar 26, 2009 - 03:51pm PT
You got Banner stories?
John Moosie

climber
Beautiful California
  Mar 26, 2009 - 04:26pm PT
Yowzer. Nice tale. Great writing.


Thanks !!!
kev

climber
A pile of dirt.
  Mar 26, 2009 - 04:32pm PT
Yeah I've got a Banner Story. Cr0tch - was it you and your wife that Ian and I met up there last summer. We help you through the free crux and you help us (US = 2 ICE/SNOW noobs) on the descent.

We had crappy baby insteps.

kev
dankras

Trad climber
  Mar 26, 2009 - 06:50pm PT
With all this wonderful "discussion" going on, I just had to chime in...
Nate: to answer your question, we did go straight up, deciding against the death gully; there was some unimpressive climbing (2 pitches or so) which lead you to an obvious finger crack - the crack begins at an overhang and becomes harder, my guess on a good day, dry it's 11+, 12, so we decided against that being in plastics and with a pack. I headed right, past the crack and climbed what was mostly an easy pitch, with a short section of 5.7 but with good gear; then it became easier - drc took some other variation, as I placed only 3-4 pieces for the entire rope length - I am not sure if his variation was easier or harder, but he did bark something about "screwing the second." I don't think it is the route described on the summitpost page, but am sure there are many ways to make it onto the plateau from the notch.

drc

Trad climber
Durham, NC
Author's Reply  Mar 26, 2009 - 06:51pm PT
Ah Kras, velcome to the taco stand brah;)
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
  Mar 26, 2009 - 08:35pm PT
hey there, say... i always love it when you all draw the routes on the photos...

say, thanks for the share...
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Mar 26, 2009 - 10:13pm PT
Great Epic Story! As a old fart climber who had his adventures in the 1970's and 80's------I am impressed that you were able to share this epic so soon.

It used to take me 5-10 years, and a lot of alcohol, before I could confess to the route gone wrong and the horrible, stupid (only in retrospect) retreat.

Wonderful reading, and yes I would love to see more of this on ST.
thanks, Fritz
crøtch

climber
  Mar 27, 2009 - 04:20pm PT
Yup, that was us on Banner last summer, a climb that just kept going and going and going. Did you guys take any pics? I think I left my camera in the bag most of the day.
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
  Mar 30, 2009 - 02:16pm PT

10/10!

Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Jun 16, 2009 - 09:05am PT
Nice!
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
  Jun 26, 2009 - 12:56am PT
bump for one of the most humble and hilarious TR's I have ever read twice!

DRC/Dirka/Iron curtain cowboy, you are the man.
Daphne

Trad climber
Northern California
  Jun 26, 2009 - 01:06am PT
I recently recommended this report to someone and then read it again, too. Still one of the best in years, in my recall.
Mike Dahlquist

Trad climber
Oakland, CA
  Jun 26, 2009 - 01:07am PT
Did this route make it in the new Secor "Peaks, Passes and Trails: 3rd Edition," or do we have to wait for the 4th?
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Republic, WA
  Jun 26, 2009 - 01:19am PT
Nice writing and some good chuckles. You gotta love a good epic. Worth reading again-bump.
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Jun 26, 2009 - 01:53am PT
OMG...

I am laughing so hard, the tears are running. In another lifetime I might've suggested being kinder to yourself because, after all, we all make mistakes...even multiple dumb-arse mistakes...one right after another (mine is called Sleeping With Farting Strangers: The Day I Didn't Summit Whitney). But the whipping-boy tone of this piece, drc, has me rolling on the floor. Brilliant storytelling, simply brilliant.

Thanks for an excellent TR of a happy-you-lived-to-talk-about-it epic. The photo of the "fine dining experience" will live in my memory forever...
Jan

Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
  Jun 26, 2009 - 10:18am PT
Thanks for a fun thread!
Josh Nash

Social climber
riverbank ca
  Jun 26, 2009 - 01:23pm PT
Holy Crap! I had tears I was laughing so hard! I am glad that everyone is safe.
eliot carlsen

Social climber
Seattle
  Jan 6, 2010 - 06:34pm PT
Classic TR! So funny to hear about the epic around the campfire. But even more hilarious and fun to read the write-up. Start writing the musical version. :)
rgold

Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
  Jan 6, 2010 - 10:48pm PT
Hilarious account of a fine old-fashioned total cock-up. My first thought was, let's hear more of these stories! But then, come to think of it, acquiring the necessary material may not be something one wants to do with any regularity. So I guess we'll have to make do with rereading, right? Right?
kev

climber
A pile of dirt.
  Jan 7, 2010 - 12:41pm PT
Knowing vic, I'm sure he's already got an song about it.

travelin_light

climber
Boulder, Colorado
  Jan 8, 2010 - 12:19am PT
The campfire account of this is quite good BTW
MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
  Jan 19, 2010 - 10:33pm PT
One of the best tongue in cheek TR's ever - I am going to link this to my funny TR's thread.
greasemonkey

Trad climber
Davis, Ca
  Feb 23, 2010 - 01:23pm PT
hahahahaa. EPIC! I enjoyed reading it. Thanks.
Paulina

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Feb 27, 2010 - 10:41am PT
I'm almost a year late to the party, but man! Thanks for sharing something truly special with us. :-) Glad you made it out ok in the end.
westhegimp

Social climber
granada hills
  Feb 14, 2011 - 11:10pm PT
OMG! So funny.
LearningTrad

Trad climber
  Feb 20, 2015 - 05:40am PT
This is probably the best thing I've ever read.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
https://nutagain.org
  Feb 20, 2015 - 09:52am PT
I forgot all about this, and had the pleasure of cracking up with it again!
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Mar 8, 2015 - 01:31pm PT
This was even funnier the second time 'round. And the first time almost killed me with laughing fits.

Thanks for the bump, LearningTrad.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
  Mar 8, 2015 - 01:49pm PT
Love it
Thanks for the bump, L
kaholatingtong

Trad climber
The fake McCoy from nevernever land.
  Apr 12, 2015 - 10:33am PT
I have read this several different times, not sure how I neglected to comment on it. This is definitely one of the most entertaining TRs I have read on this site!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Jul 24, 2015 - 07:20pm PT
Sitting in Lone Pine, gazing up at Lone Pine Peak. I had to read this TR out loud to my husband. All time classic!
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
  Jul 24, 2015 - 07:27pm PT
The related TR/HR already linked may have been overlooked;
here is a link which may be a bit more clear:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/816248/The-Idiots-girlfriends-Guide-to-Descending-Lone-Pine-Peak
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Jul 24, 2015 - 09:42pm PT
Funny, Clint. I had not seen the companion piece.
MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
  Jul 24, 2015 - 10:59pm PT
That had to be fun to write up together - LOL!
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Oct 10, 2017 - 03:26pm PT
Needed something funny to turn this day around.
David Knopp

Trad climber
CA
  Oct 10, 2017 - 03:51pm PT
pretty much the best trip report on the site
limpingcrab

Gym climber
Minkler, CA
  Oct 10, 2017 - 04:28pm PT
This is awesome.

Wonder why it's not in Croft's new book?
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Oct 10, 2017 - 04:45pm PT
Now that was a fun read, made even better by the fact that I wasn't there.....brrrr!!!
JLyons

Sport climber
Cali
  Oct 10, 2017 - 09:30pm PT
I'd love to buy these guys several beers for providing this TR. Great stuff!
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
  Oct 11, 2017 - 07:13am PT
So good. So so so so good.
Nick Danger

Ice climber
Arvada, CO
  Oct 11, 2017 - 10:10am PT
This has to be the banner chapter to "The big book of stooped guy stuff in the back country". Righteous read, duuuudes, made my whole day.
Gorgeous George

Trad climber
Los Angeles, California
  Oct 11, 2017 - 02:55pm PT
You mean to say you haven't gone back to make a movie out of it?

Just saying ...
TWP

Trad climber
Mancos, CO & Bend, OR
  Oct 12, 2017 - 11:30am PT
The humor, vocabulary, comparisons and self-deprecation of this writing made me feel it could have been written by Warren Harding himself - describing one of his epics.

Of course, that's high praise!
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