High Sierra Alpine Climbing

To kick off our next adventure, on July 31st Joe and I spent a great weekend celebrating the 25th Anniversary party of Bonair Winery with our family. The next day we headed South to spend a few weeks in the Eastern Sierras getting on a few of the classic alpine routes. Our first stop was the Ellery Lake Campground were we based for 5 days in Tuolumne. The weather was perfect, warm days and cool nights. Climbing uncrowded, mellow and beautiful.

Cathedral Peak

Crystal clear morning

Michelle cresting the summit

Eichorn Pinacle

Matthes Crest

Michelle leading up to the ridge

Walking the line

Looking East over the end of Matthes Crest

Hey Andrew, we were Focusing on Efficiency!

Does your man look like me?

Descending Matthes Crest

Cross country back to Cathedral Lakes - The crest in the background

Mount Conness

Michelle on the first pitch

Gaining the Ridge

What a view

Huh?

Tenaya Peak as the sun rises

Perfect slabs

Nothing like a morning climb

Yosemite Valley in the distance

Mount Whitney

Mount Russell Fish Hook Arete

Michelle on the Fish Hook Arete

Mount Russell

Summit of Mount Russell

Descending Mount Russell

East Buttress Route Mount Whitney

Ice Berg Lake in the background

Descending the Mountaineer's Route

East Face of Mount Whitney

Pitch following the Fresh Air Traverse

Summit #2, same day

Now back to camp and on the road again....