-Russ
TR: Banner Peak 7-15-16
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Vaca Russ
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TR: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Banner Peak is arguably one of the most beautiful and picturesque mountains in the Sierra. I did not take this picture with Thousand Island Lake in the foreground looking southwest.
I set up camp below Ritter (on the left) and Banner Peak (on the right) looking west.
I inserted arrows in this picture showing my route up the eastern face of the saddle between Ritter and Banner.
This is the steep chute I had to climb to gain the top of the saddle.
This is the backside of Banner Peak looking up.
The only real advice I can offer is as follows: once on the backside keep climbing to climbers left. Ignore these false summits. You need to cross the rib to the left before you can see the true summit ridge.
This picture from the summit shows a view of Thousand Island Lake on the left.
It is a long drop down from the summit.
The climb back down the backside included this field of soul crushing, loose talus.
The chute down was just as steep but at least is was stable snow and ice.
Thanks for reading my post.
-Russ
I set up camp below Ritter (on the left) and Banner Peak (on the right) looking west.
I inserted arrows in this picture showing my route up the eastern face of the saddle between Ritter and Banner.
This is the steep chute I had to climb to gain the top of the saddle.
This is the backside of Banner Peak looking up.
The only real advice I can offer is as follows: once on the backside keep climbing to climbers left. Ignore these false summits. You need to cross the rib to the left before you can see the true summit ridge.
This picture from the summit shows a view of Thousand Island Lake on the left.
It is a long drop down from the summit.
The climb back down the backside included this field of soul crushing, loose talus.
The chute down was just as steep but at least is was stable snow and ice.
Thanks for reading my post.
-Russ
"...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.
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TahoeJeff
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Those pics form the summit are giving me vertigo....
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maverick
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Thanks for the TR and cool pictures Russ, last time on Banner I could barely see past 1000 Is Lake and Garnet because of smoke from the Tehipite Fire in 08. 
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Jason
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Nice! It looks like you could see Mono Lake from up there. Thanks for the photos.
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cefire
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Awesome climb! Looks like a bit more snow would've made travel easier? Any plans for Ritter (or have you already climbed?)
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Vaca Russ
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Cefire, thanks for asking about Ritter. I attempted the summit the next day (7/16) but I took the wrong chute. I will try to post my report today.cefire wrote:Awesome climb! Looks like a bit more snow would've made travel easier? Any plans for Ritter (or have you already climbed?)
Yes, I will try again to summit Ritter, hopefully soon. I am putting out an invite to you to join me. I now am confident I know which chute to take.
Thanks,
-Russ
"...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.
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cefire
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Haha, I just read your Ritter TR!! I'm there if you are headed that way again sometime soon 
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Aeropilot
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Thank you very much for the intel..! hiking the SHR portion through the Minarets in a couple of weeks ... wow, the snow melted fast!
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Shawn
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Re: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Fantastic photos and TR Russ; nicely done !
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KathyW
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Re: TR: Banner Peak 7-15-16
Thanks for sharing - congrats on the summit!
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