Trip Report
Dana the Dike is Cryin' Again 6/12/10
Thursday June 17, 2010 2:55am
Inspired by recent reports of the Third Pillar of Mt. Dana being prime for the climb, my mostly-boulders-but-will-sometimes-follow friend and i decided to give her a go.
Friday we roll in around 2pm-ish and are so psyched to be here, Tenaya lake is mostly covered in ice, there's lots of snow and none of it covers the climbs, sweet!
We park at Pywiack Dome and ponder all the route options, the Dike Route comes out as the winner of our psych mostly 'cause we've done it before, and 'cause my friend wants to get his runout lead on. The snow at the base is no problem and is actually somewhat of a blessing.

top left corner top right corner
a beer to warm up?
a beer to warm up?
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

He leads the first pitch or whatever this first easy part is.

top left corner top right corner
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

The next pitch is probably the actual start but there's so little bolts that who cares? I lead the next three pitches, and convince him to lead the last pitch to the headwall, meaning he leads the only two pitches without any pro. Whatever he's climbed Blue Suede Shoes so he's chill.


top left corner top right corner
the three bolt pitch
the three bolt pitch
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

We photograph the curious intrusion in the rock at the summit. Anyone else notice this?

top left corner top right corner
Yes it is a Penis
Yes it is a Penis
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

Phobos cliff from the summit.

top left corner top right corner
looks dry
looks dry
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

Saturday we wake up at 5AM, surprisingly chipper. From the bivi we can see the objective of the day, kind of.

top left corner top right corner
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

A little worried that the clouds are covering the cliff, we set out on the approach anyway, determined to at least have a look down the face from the summit.

top left corner top right corner
from near the Tioga Lake Overlook
from near the Tioga Lake Overlook
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
many options for bridge crossing, these will be gone very soon.
many options for bridge crossing, these will be gone very soon.
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
From the top of the first main hill, the gully to ascend in the back l...
From the top of the first main hill, the gully to ascend in the back left.
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

The wind has been pretty intense so far, and we're pretty sure our lips are peeling off-wait we're only less than a mile from the road! so we continue and finally make the plateau after almost three hours.

top left corner top right corner
the weather seems to be clearing
the weather seems to be clearing
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

The weather is starting to look better, with clouds clearing and the sun blaring through. But the wind will not stop ripping across the plateau. Our faces are pretty much numb and we cannot take off our down jackets, as much i like an Epic or two, we decide that we'd rather enjoy this climb and decide to try it another day.

top left corner top right corner
OMG WTF is with this wind!
OMG WTF is with this wind!
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
We WILL be back
We WILL be back
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

So after the trudge out, we drive over to the meadows proper and end up at Lembert at about 4pm-ish. I tell my friend that "I've heard good things about this Cryin' Time Again thing over there, so let's jump on it."

top left corner top right corner
snow slope to start
snow slope to start
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

we forgot the guidebook but i remembered where it was supposed to start, then just follow the bolts right?
I forgot how tricky it can be to find bolts in a sea of knobs and lichen, but after a few minutes of staring and wandering upwards they revealed themselves.

top left corner top right corner
The third pitch was sweet!
The third pitch was sweet!
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
The sixth pitch is Rad!
The sixth pitch is Rad!
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
Wait EVERY pitch is totally awesome!
Wait EVERY pitch is totally awesome!
Credit: squatch
bottom left corner bottom right corner

This climb has become my new favorite 5.9

Sunday had us just enjoying some perfect weather cragging at the East Cottage Dome. Knobulater, Knobvious, Comfortably Numb, Ballroom Dancing, knob climbing is the BEST!
Finish off with some Reach For A Peach and there you have it, the meadows has treated us well! (well except for that wind part)


Later!
Zack


  Trip Report Views: 2,394
squatch
About the Author
squatch is a boulder climber from santa cruz, CA.

Comments
jfailing

Trad climber
PDX
  Jun 17, 2010 - 03:23am PT
Totally rad! Way to kill it early on in the season. By the way, clever title for the trip report... it took me a little bit.
Roxy

Trad climber
CA Central Coast
  Jun 17, 2010 - 10:21am PT
nice report and some great pics!
rhyang

climber
SJC
  Jun 17, 2010 - 10:36am PT
Yeah !!
Dirka

Trad climber
Hustle City
  Jun 17, 2010 - 11:33am PT
Way to go get it!
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
  Jun 17, 2010 - 12:06pm PT
Nice job! Looks like a great weekend.
Daphne

Trad climber
Northern California
  Jun 17, 2010 - 12:35pm PT
Ahhhh, Tuolumne.
So nice! Thank you for this--
Zander

climber
  Jun 17, 2010 - 11:51pm PT
Oh yeah! Crying Time Again is so fine.
Zander
Slater

Trad climber
Central Coast
  Jun 17, 2010 - 11:53pm PT
Sweet... makes me wanna go climb in the meadows again!
jfailing

Trad climber
PDX
  Jun 9, 2011 - 09:49am PT
Bump for Zach - this was a great trip report and an awesome climber. Hope he's still climbing wherever he is now.
Doug Robinson

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
  Jun 9, 2011 - 01:41pm PT
Thanks for bumping this summer idyll.

Zach seized the day, all we can hope for.
jahil

Social climber
London, Paris, WV & CA
  Jun 9, 2011 - 01:45pm PT
`Every Pitch was rad' -- Yeah, Zach with you it always was. f*** yeah!
scuffy b

climber
heading slowly NNW
  Jun 9, 2011 - 02:48pm PT
Yeah, it really was a good one, and I hadn't seen it.
You made things brighter, Zach.
Go