Mt. Russell East Ridge (14,086′), August 12, 2009

On 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!