Started off quite cold, but warmed up to t-shirt weather and sunshine - couldn't ask for a better day! This is also one of the nicest and most easily accessible rock climbs anywhere, definitely 5 stars... clean Yosemite granite and a variety of climbing! It's in the sun most of the day, making it great for late/early season. The crux mantle is not hard compared to the previous pitches of the climb, despite everything you might read about it being runout, etc.

Descent beta: do not go up more than 30 feet... traverse climber's left until you find a trail heading down a gully in the trees.

	Peaceful approach: the road was closed

	The crux of the first pitch is the left-arching corner	Posing at the start of pitch 3, Nutcracker, Yosemite

		Nutcracker, pitch 3	Higher up on pitch 3

	The crux mantle (pitch 5) is above me.	Grabbed the jug	Psyching myself for the "mantle"

	December in Yosemite Valley!	Satisfied at the top of the climb

	TCU's		Beautiful... unfortunately, time to leave!

		Parisa on top of Manure Pile Buttress after climbing Nutcracker	Someone is settling in for the night on North American Wall (?)