Starting with the central gully of Laurel.
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 Laurel from the approach. Credit: Little Jon |
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 Approaching the super fantastic red band of rock high on the route. Credit: Little Jon |
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 The route finding really starts here. Look way ahead... Credit: Little Jon |
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 Higher on the red stuff. Credit: Little Jon |
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 You can almost see the car from the entire route! Credit: Little Jon |
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 Credit: Little Jon |
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 High, lonely, and loving every minute of it! Credit: Little Jon |
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At this point, the ipod went on, and I bopped on back to the car. I think it clocked in around 5.5 hours give or take. A wonderful day of sun, stiff breeze, and beauty. On to the tubs for a bath and a beer.
"What next? Feel like you got one in ya Kerry?"
"Yeah man, whatcha thinkin?"
"Cathedral?..."
"Sounds good, done it, but I'll do it again."
"Tomorrow then."
So, we headed up to the gas station for tacos, slept, and made our way in the morning.
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 If you have the time, it is kinda cool to walk all the way around cathedral before you climb it, I promise... Anyone who has done cathedral from the proper approach should wonder why we are coming up from this direction. Credit: Little Jon |
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 Kerry getting busy up Cathedral. Credit: Little Jon |
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 No! I said Take. TAKE!!! Credit: Little Jon |
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 Standard Eichorn shot... Credit: Little Jon |
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 After a nearly complete circumnavigation of Cathedral. See you later buddy. Credit: Little Jon |
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From there we got the call to come back to work. But, before we could leave there was just one more thing I needed to do. And, since we had the pass and were gonna have to drive by it anyway... it just had to happen. Mt. Whitney.
I started early in the a.m. and did the mountaineers route for two reasons
1) speed
2) there was a much better chance of success in its various forms...
When I reached the top, it was as if I was the only one who had come up that side of the mountain that day (probably not, but it felt that way). I scrambled over to the summit, found a lovely couple with a camera and we swapped photos quickly before I started down the normal trial. Speed was no longer a concern for me, and the extra miles seemed like a good idea. So, down I went, and 9 hours after starting I was back in the car and headed home. I dearly miss being there now.
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 Sunrise on my shoulders. Credit: Little Jon |
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 Lower boy scout Credit: Little Jon |
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 Three fine ladies with flowers. Credit: Little Jon |
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 Flying Sky High Credit: Little Jon |
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 Mountaineers Route Credit: Little Jon |
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 For some reason I just love these shots??? Looking toward Russell from near the summit. Credit: Little Jon |
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 High again, but not so lonely this time... Credit: Little Jon |
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 I know what you're thinking. "Blue Jeans???" It can be done... Credit: Little Jon |
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 If you begin seeing this on you're descent you are off route. Turn around immediately. Credit: Little Jon |
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We also hit Crystal Crag in the beginning and spent a bunch of time around the Bardini's drinking beer and wondering about stuff. All in all it was a good 5 days in the Sierras, again.
I present my first TR, and for that matter, first post to the taco. I hope you enjoy it.
