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!

  On the north facing aspects, it is winter already! Winter! :) Lower Cathedral Lake  
  On the north facing aspects, it is winter already! Winter! :) Lower Cathedral Lake

  Approaching Eichorn Pinnacle Quite warm in the sun... when there is no wind Note the snow sticking to the north facing aspect!  
  Approaching Eichorn Pinnacle Quite warm in the sun... when there is no wind Note the snow sticking to the north facing aspect!

  Gearing up at the base Me with the first pitch above On the first pitch, which is a little awkward/weird  
  Gearing up at the base Me with the first pitch above On the first pitch, which is a little awkward/weird

  Topping out on the first pitch Beautiful views of Cathedral Lakes all afternoon Starting the second pitch (West Face Direct, which straight/left here)  
  Topping out on the first pitch Beautiful views of Cathedral Lakes all afternoon Starting the second pitch (West Face Direct, which straight/left here)

  Melissa finishing the second pitch of West Face Direct, the best pitch of the route - fun corner  
  Melissa finishing the second pitch of West Face Direct, the best pitch of the route - fun corner

  Freezing my butt off at this point (we were in the shade for 1 belay!) Beautiful Tuolumne!  
  Freezing my butt off at this point (we were in the shade for 1 belay!) Beautiful Tuolumne!

  Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes  
  Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes

  Nearing the top of Eichorn (orange jacket is me!) Melissa as a red dot on the ridge below  
  Nearing the top of Eichorn (orange jacket is me!) Melissa as a red dot on the ridge below

  Looking up at the last pitch  
  Looking up at the last pitch

   
 

  The last 5.9 crux - you climb this really cool flake  
  The last 5.9 crux - you climb this really cool flake

   
 

   
 

  Pretty light/shadows! Budd Lake reflections  
  Pretty light/shadows! Budd Lake reflections

  Echo Peaks Echo Peaks Unicorn Peak  
  Echo Peaks Echo Peaks Unicorn Peak

  Hiking out Sun is setting, better hurry!  
  Hiking out Sun is setting, better hurry!

  Third Pillar of Dana with some fall color for foreground :) without polarizer  
  Third Pillar of Dana with some fall color for foreground :) without polarizer

  with polarizer (no post processing!) The Third Pillar of Dana  
  with polarizer (no post processing!) The Third Pillar of Dana

  without polarizer (no post processing) with polarizer (no post processing)  
  without polarizer (no post processing) with polarizer (no post processing)

   
 

  Waking up above Mono Lake  
  Waking up above Mono Lake

  Hanging out at Tenaya Lake - no people!  
  Hanging out at Tenaya Lake - no people!

  Hiking up to Daff Dome - #throughglass Looking up at the start of Crescent Arch  
  Hiking up to Daff Dome - #throughglass Looking up at the start of Crescent Arch

  At the awkward start of Crescent Arch  
  At the awkward start of Crescent Arch

  The crux pitch of Crescent Arch  
  The crux pitch of Crescent Arch

  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  
  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

  #throughglass  
  #throughglass

  Cool pitch! #throughglass  
  Cool pitch! #throughglass

   
 

  On top!  
  On top!

  Fairview Dome in the background.  
  Fairview Dome in the background.

  Shiny granite. Glacier polished, I assume? A closer up of the glacier polish? Snowy peaks  
  Shiny granite. Glacier polished, I assume? A closer up of the glacier polish? Snowy peaks

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