High Sierra Topix

The talus on the North side of this pass is rather loose and tedious.

Not that we need more photos of this pass but hell another year another set of photos:

This is the single class 3 obstacle on the South and West shore traverse. You climb the darker rock that connects to the grass and walk along the face of the rock.

In 1993 the pass was a cornice and we had to hike up to the right from amp. This made me nervous to do with my sons 16 & 11. It was my second time. Hiking down was a piece of cake. Just look for the easy way down (to the right). To us it was obvious. I think trouble arrises only when someone is in a hurry.

I am a bit confused about your post, crosscountry. When you said "amp" did you mean Amphitheater Lake? If so, Dumbbell Lakes Pass is the pass between Lakes Basin and Dumbbell Lakes, NOT between Amphitheater Lake and Dumbbell Lakes. Or maybe I simply misunderstood you. Sorry.

CC: The pass from Amphitheater to the Dumbbells that often has the cornice is called Cataract Creek Pass rather than Dumbbell Lakes pass (btw Dumbbells to Lakes Basin).

I'll chime in a bit with my experience in Sept 3rd, 2017. Aside from the top of the snowfield being a little steep for comfort without traction the only issue was navigating shoreline with snow hugging it, I dropped along the ribs and went along the west shore of the lake and don't remember anything feeling like a significant obstacle. This isn't a thread the needle pass like the lower part of the south side of Cirque, Vernon, etc.

I used this thread for a trip I took in august 2024 and just wanted to drop this photo back in here highlighting the particular gulley I used. It was great and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again! Thanks folks.