Trip Report
(some shots from) My Favorite Place on Earth
Tuesday August 2, 2016 1:39pm
Speaking only for myself in the title and all can enjoy some nature photos. Some are from popular areas and some are not. Hope the shots can say a thousand words and give someone more reason to get out, most of the posters on this site are from Cali, so not too much travel time! :)

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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Vitaliy M.
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Credit: Vitaliy M.
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  Trip Report Views: 3,771
Vitaliy M.
About the Author
Vitaliy M. is an annoying gym climber from San Francisco.

Comments
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Aug 2, 2016 - 01:55pm PT
Agreed! Nice shots. Looks like someone has an alternate career path up his sleeve.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
  Aug 2, 2016 - 01:59pm PT
Can't say I agree with you that that's the "prettiest range of all", but damn, nice photos!

Thanks.
John M

climber
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:00pm PT
oh yes.. mmmmmm good!
splitclimber

climber
Sonoma County
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:05pm PT
Good Sh#t right there
you're photo skills are progressing like your climbing skills

can't seem to go anywhere else than the High Sierra for our summer vacations. Northern Cascades and Wind River are always high on the list, but the Sierra seems to win out every time.

btw- nice lines on Hitchcock.

SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, Bozeman, the ocean, or ?
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:08pm PT
I LOVE your photography!

You capture not just a scene but a spirit.

Susan
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:25pm PT
Very nice...

thanks
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:28pm PT
What is not to like! Sweet stuff as always.
PAUL SOUZA

Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:36pm PT
And this is why I cannot move out of California. Over the course of 18,000 miles of traveling around this continent this summer, I have a MUCH bigger appreciation for this beautiful state.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:40pm PT
WOW!!!.....great photos! Think of what you could do with some real mountains to work with.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:48pm PT
Great stuff V!!

Thanks for reminding us!
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:50pm PT
Oooooh so good they put an ache in the heart.

Favorite:

Not Darwin region, right? Where, I wonder
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
  Aug 2, 2016 - 02:53pm PT
Nice! What's the story on the helo?
Levy

Big Wall climber
Calabasas
  Aug 2, 2016 - 03:04pm PT
Great photos!

What's the formation with the Chinook helicopter hovering over it?
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Aug 2, 2016 - 03:48pm PT
Awesomeness!
craig morris

Trad climber
la
  Aug 2, 2016 - 03:55pm PT
Inspirationaly inclined thanks.
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
Author's Reply  Aug 2, 2016 - 03:58pm PT
What's the formation with the Chinook helicopter hovering over it?

Mt. Whitney from Iceberg. There was a SAR for 3 days or so with helicopters flying all over the place. And maybe three different teams roaming around. Just over a week ago?

btw- nice lines on Hitchcock.

Added an MP page for them. For a bit, I stopped giving a sh#t about adding climbs to the internet, but this year both the Castle Dome and Flatiron Butte routes had MULTIPLE repeats, so I guess someone does check this stuff! So I have a lot of catching up to do...

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/mt-hitchcock/112042161
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Aug 2, 2016 - 05:00pm PT
Kick ass! " Prettiest" is relative, but dang, that highway state has a lot of cool stuff!
MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
  Aug 2, 2016 - 07:29pm PT
Good, varied, and they show worthy climbing objectives.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
  Aug 2, 2016 - 07:36pm PT
Nice. Have you done Rest and Be Thankful on Langley?
The Alpine

climber
The Sea
  Aug 2, 2016 - 08:23pm PT
Nice V! Hitchcock is pretty rad, eh? I really wanted to climb that Starlight Dihedral back in the day, just never made it back. The photos look splitter.

And then there's good ol' Chamberlin beckoning in the distance...


Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
Author's Reply  Aug 2, 2016 - 11:22pm PT
Nice. Have you done Rest and Be Thankful on Langley?

No, I have not. My friend Richard did. If you want to know any information about it, I can put you in touch!
Langley and Tyndall are the last CA 14ers on my list. I never paid attention to it, but after tagging Muir on the hike out a week ago realized I should tick those off.
By the way, I'd suggest the itinerary to anyone:
Hiked in. Climbed a route on Whitney. hiked over to a small lake below the Arctic Lake Wall. Climbed the first route on Hitchcock. It was actually tiring and we rested the following day. Climbed a route on Arctic Lake Wall. Climbed another Hitchcock line (Welcome to Krackizstan). Following day hiked over Mt. Whitney via the John Muir Trail, tagged Muir and ate back giant burrito in Bishop, drove home. A really cool way to do a circle around Whitney. Never been up or down the hikers trail, was an interesting experience.

The Alpine, do you have an topo for the Alfred ' s Tooth aside from that? The formation looks stunning. Although not the biggest feature, it is likely the most striking when you see it from across. Would be nice to know how many pitches, recommended belays and the rack.

Both the Hitchcock routes we climbed were unbelievable. Better then any new route in the mountains. Welcome to Krackizstan being even better. Not obvious that there is a quality wall there. I saw it in the fading light after the first climb and it looked big and clean. Glad I convinced my friend to go for it..
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
  Aug 3, 2016 - 05:31am PT
So beautiful, much appreciated,,,,,thanks!
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
  Aug 3, 2016 - 06:29am PT
Thanks, Vitaly. Keepin' realz. This is what matters.

BAd
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Aug 3, 2016 - 06:36am PT
Excellent pics Vitaliy. Thanks.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
  Aug 3, 2016 - 06:47am PT
It is like A widow, a look in on a Grand voyage

Not your standard College auditorium lecture hall seating!

Awesome university you go to !

Your pics take my memory to the places I did get to.

Thankyou for posting them here .
Now I can spell your last name.
Stimbo

Trad climber
Crowley Lake
  Aug 3, 2016 - 08:18am PT
Great collection of images! Thanks for sharing.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
  Feb 19, 2019 - 02:06pm PT
ydpl8s

Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
  Feb 19, 2019 - 06:18pm PT
An embarrassment of riches..... nice!
Reeotch

climber
4 Corners Area
  Feb 19, 2019 - 07:47pm PT
Wow Vitaly, you're a true Sierra Local.
You da man . . .
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