October weekend: Eichorn Pinnacle, Crescent Arch
October 19-20, 2013
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For various reasons, we never made it to Tuolumne this summer, which we were a bit bummed
about. However, Fall is arguably even better - zero climbers, perfect temperatures in
the sun, and pretty colors and shadows - yay! Due to the chilly fall temperatures at
such high elevations, it also means late starts - and who doesn't love sleeping in?
On Saturday, we climbed Eichorn Pinnacle's West Face Direct, a really pretty 5-pitch
climb in a spectacular location. Not often do perfect vistas and perfect climbing
come together!
On Sunday, we hoped to climb Lucky Streaks on Fairview Dome. We knew it
gets afternoon sun, so we lingered in the morning, stopping to take photos
of some fall color. But even at 1pm, the climb was still in the shade, you
could even see some snow on the ledges. It would probably still be a good
climb to do, but more like a 2-2:30pm start is needed, and we didn't want
to wait that long. So instead we hung out by Tenaya Lake, and then did
Crescent Arch - which literally bakes in the sun - we were in tshirts the
whole way to the top!
I love October!
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On the north facing aspects, it is winter already! |
Winter! :) |
Lower Cathedral Lake |
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Approaching Eichorn Pinnacle |
Quite warm in the sun... when there is no wind |
Note the snow sticking to the north facing aspect! |
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Gearing up at the base |
Me with the first pitch above |
On the first pitch, which is a little awkward/weird |
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Topping out on the first pitch |
Beautiful views of Cathedral Lakes all afternoon |
Starting the second pitch (West Face Direct, which straight/left here) |
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Melissa finishing the second pitch of West Face Direct, the best pitch of the route - fun corner |
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Freezing my butt off at this point (we were in the shade for 1 belay!) |
Beautiful Tuolumne! |
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Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes |
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Nearing the top of Eichorn (orange jacket is me!) |
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Melissa as a red dot on the ridge below |
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Looking up at the last pitch |
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The last 5.9 crux - you climb this really cool flake |
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Pretty light/shadows! |
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Budd Lake reflections |
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Echo Peaks |
Echo Peaks |
Unicorn Peak |
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Hiking out |
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Sun is setting, better hurry! |
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Third Pillar of Dana with some fall color for foreground :) |
without polarizer |
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with polarizer (no post processing!) |
The Third Pillar of Dana |
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without polarizer (no post processing) |
with polarizer (no post processing) |
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Waking up above Mono Lake |
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Hanging out at Tenaya Lake - no people! |
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Hiking up to Daff Dome - #throughglass |
Looking up at the start of Crescent Arch |
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At the awkward start of Crescent Arch |
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The crux pitch of Crescent Arch |
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Taking a picture of me taking a picture! |
Melissa at the most comfortable belay ledge ever |
Melissa at the most comfortable belay ledge ever #throughglass |
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Cool pitch! #throughglass |
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Fairview Dome in the background. |
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Shiny granite. Glacier polished, I assume? |
A closer up of the glacier polish? |
Snowy peaks |
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