Our Expeditions!
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Mt. Russell East Ridge (14,086′), August 12, 2009
Posted on August 13th, 2009 No commentsOn August 12 it was a pleasure to climb with Betsy on my favorite 3rd class route in the Sierra. Betsy is a lifelong visitor to the Whitney area but had never been up Mt. Russell. We met at the Whitney Portal Hostel and drove to Whitney Portal beginning our hike long before the sun came up. A beautiful, clear, and warm night made the approach to Upper Boyscout Lake a very enjoyable hike. We were treated to a gorgeous sunrise high above Upper Boyscout Lake. We were greeted with superb weather making for another enjoyable ascent of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell. After reaching the summit we descended down the southwest chute, over the Whitney/Russell Col, past Iceberg Lake, and down to Whitney Portal in the afternoon with plenty of time to enjoy bacon cheeseburgers at the Whitney Portal Store. The rest of the pictures are here: http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2009-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-East-Ridge-August/9259727_M5WTg/1/618536412_RT9J4
Betsy above Upper Boyscout Lake before sunrise.
Sunrise on Mt. Whitney
The start of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell
Starting up the East Ridge of Mt. Russell
The narrowest part of the East Ridge of Mt. Russell
Betsy traversing on the East Ridge of Mt. Russell. Behind in the distance is Lake Tuleinyo, the highest lake in the Western Hemisphere.
Betsy pausing to enjoy the scenery on one of the "catwalks" on Mt. Russell's East Ridge
Betsy making moves on the high quality granite on Mt. Russell's East Ridge
Summit success on the East Ridge of Mt. Russell!
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Norman Clyde Peak, NNE Face 13,851 feet July 31 – August 1, 2009
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 No commentsNorman Clyde Peak is named after the famous Sierra mountaineering pioneer. It is located just north of Middle Palisade Peak (14,040′). It has several high quality routes leading to its lofty summit and has one of the greatest views of any peak in the Sierra. Because this peak gets overlooked by many mountaineers who focus on the California 14ers Norman Clyde Peak remains a hidden gem and one of the all time classic peaks in the Sierra. The NNE Face is an intricate 3rd and 4th class ascent requiring good route finding skills and efficient climbing to make good time over its intricate route.
Sunrise of Norman Clyde Peak
NNE Ridge of Norman Clyde Peak. Our route on the NNE Face is on the right side of this ridge.
NNE Face of Norman Clyde Peak
Starting the 4th class on the upper NNE Face of Norman Clyde Peak
Greg high on Norman Clyde Peak
The summit ridge of Norman Clyde Peak
Greg on the summit ridge of Norman Clyde Peak
Greg Gerlach on the summit of Norman Clyde Peak on August 1, 2009
Kurt Wedberg on the summit of Norman Clyde Peak, August 1, 2009
View of the Palisades looking north from Norman Clyde Peak