Karén did the right-hand variation of the first pitch, which had the hardest moves of the climb: slabby 5.9 with 3 bolts for protection. Afterwards, the line goes diagonally up and right over a small "roof" and then traverses back left to the belay. Instead, Karén went straight up and so he enjoyed a mini Gram traverse until he found the right spot.

While belaying, I was looking up at the second pitch and it looks intimidating! After joining Karen I started off and the cracks started appearing, with giant knobs everywhere, which made for easy and enjoyable climbing. I was nervous about the 5.8 runout too, but found it easier than 5.8, and not runout... go figure. Then I linked the 3rd pitch and ended up on a nice spacious ledge with only a few feet of rope to spare.

Karén joined me quickly and after chilling on the ledge, he headed off to the top: I called this The Tricam Pitch, because he protected it exclusively with tricams (and one nut).

We rappelled down and after a lunch, headed for the Direct Northwest Face on Lembert Dome.

	campsite next to Lee Vining	American Wet Dream	closer up of the climb which we didn't get to

	Karén approaching Aqua Knobby	Phobos and Deimos cliff	Karén atop the first pitch variation (5.9)

	me starting up the 2nd pitch	higher up the 2nd pitch	Karén on the tricam pitch

		through the 5.8 section

	Cathedral Peak		looking back at the rappel

	Tenaya Peak	Aqua Knobby as seen from the car