Last Saturday we woke up in Mammoth Lakes, CA. That morning we met our new friend, Dave Miller, owner of California Alpine Guides at the Stellar Brew on Main Street. From there we drove to the trailhead at Lake George.
Our objective was to climb the traditional North Arête Route. The morning temperatures were quite cold as would be expected for the middle of October. Unfortunately for us there was also a brisk 10 to 15 MPH breeze.
After a very short approach hike, we began our climb and it soon became quite obvious following the traditional route up north side, in the shade, was going to be too cold. My fingertips quickly lost all feeling from grabbing frozen rock. Sport was shivering from her core.
Dave, being a great guide, quickly shifted gears and moved our route further over and into the sun.
Once we got into the sun Sport was happy to discover she wasn’t going to die from exposure.
In fact both of us were happy to be in the sun.
After a few pitches we soon found ourselves on the north peak. The views were spectacular.
That is the crystal rock pillar formation just below Lake George.
Dave gave us a quick tutorial on how we would traverse the knife ridge to the summit.
He got a good shot of both of us just below the summit. We had just climbed over from the peak behind us.
We met two young local guys on the summit. They had climbed up the south ridge.
One of these friendly gentlemen snapped this photo of the three of us on the summit.
This is a picture of the crag taken on the way out. Our route was up the North Arête on the left hand side. It is roughly the sun / shade line. At a little over a third of the way up this route Dave moved us a little further to the right and we finished the climb to the north peak in the sun.
We had great time! What an adventure! This is by far the most technical climbing we have yet done. This climb has really raised our confidence level and we look forward to many more climbs. We definitely will be climbing again next summer with Dave.
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Thanks for reading our post.
-Russ
Crystal Crag 10-18-14
- Vaca Russ
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Crystal Crag 10-18-14
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"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"
Kahil Gibran.
Kahil Gibran.
- markskor
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Re: Crystal Crag 10-18-14
Nice job...always wondered about the view from the top...
BTW, was doing some fishing at George down below - little slow, so I drew the Crag from my vantage point.
BTW, was doing some fishing at George down below - little slow, so I drew the Crag from my vantage point.
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Mountainman who swims with trout
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Re: Crystal Crag 10-18-14
I was just wondering what it would be like to spend some time in the mountains in October, so decided to browse. I enjoyed reading this recent report, thanks for posting. Great photos! You guys look like you had a great time!
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- Vaca Russ
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Re: Crystal Crag 10-18-14
Mark,markskor wrote:Nice job...always wondered about the view from the top...
Here are some more views...
I would like to someday catch the fishes in this lake.
Here is Mammoth Mountain and Lake Mary.
Your drawing of the crag is very realistic!
We think of you every time we are in Mammoth. Maybe someday we should meet at the Stellar Brew for a burrito. You should have seen the face of the girl when I told her I would like a breakfast burrito. She asked "What kind?"
"CARNIVORE" was my reply!
Thanks,
-Russ
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"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"
Kahil Gibran.
Kahil Gibran.
- markskor
- Founding Member - RIP
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:41 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Crowley Lake and Tuolumne Meadows
Re: Crystal Crag 10-18-14
Another in watercolor
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Mountainman who swims with trout
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