Palisades Traverse August 30 – September 1, 2009 (Thunderbolt Peak – North Palisade Peak)

Benjamin Bauman had been up all of California’s 14ers except a couple in the Palisades.  He wanted to finish climbing them all in 2009.  We climbed Thunderbolt Peak via Southwest Chute #1 and traversed south across the range and climbed Starlight Peak and North Palisades Peak then descended west via the U Notch back to our camp in Palisade Basin.  That left one remaining peak on Ben’s list:  Polemonium Peak which was scheduled for October to be climbed via the U Notch Couloir from the east side approached by crossing the Palisade Glacier.

The entire photo gallery from the trip is here:  http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2009-Sierra-Trips/Palisades-Traverse-Aug-30-Sep/9487697_c6B3Y/1/637000473_3VxbU

Thunderbolt Peak, Starlight, and North Palisade Peak from our camp in Palisade Basin

Ben on the final 3rd class section of Thunderbolt Peak

Ben climbing the final summit block on Thunderbolt Peak

Ben topped out on Thunderbolt Peak!

Looking south along the crest of the Palisades from the summit of Thunderbolt Peak. The "milk bottle" that makes up Starlight Peak is silhoutted against the skyline on the right.

Descending to the notch in between Thunderbolt Peak and Starlight

Traversing on the way to Starlight

The Milk Bottle

Kurt on top of the Milk Bottle

Ben on the traverse towards North Palisade Peak

Ben on the summit of North Palisade Peak