Dave Campbell and his Yosemite climbing buddies Caleb, Clay and Lief decided that this monster traverse would be a good day, so he called in Rob, Shaggie, Jeff and me to fill out the group and dilute the split-boards :)
The plan was to traverse over Pyramid Peak, then roughly over or around Jack's and Dick's Peaks before heading out via Janine's or Maggie's Peaks. The actual route would depend on conditions and timing, of course.
A headlamp start was narrowly averted when we had to go back in the night for a pair of boots, but the hike began just as the sun came up.
The skin up Pyramid Peak went well. The 4K-feet and 3-miles didn't feel that big. Unfortunately, a skirt around behind the peak left us at an impassable cornice and/or cliff on the north side, so the lads continued up for a peak ascent and sketchy descent off the icy summit while Jeff and I bailed after he randomly tipped over while skinning over a steep, slick spot, dislocating his shoulder.
Fortunately, the joint popped back in when he rolled on it, so Jeff was able to mince his way back out over the excellent breakable crust and rapidly softening mank, tucking his arm into his jacket like Napoleon. The biggest exit issue was that I stacked and ended up with an ugly but harmless blue knot on my calf...
Ending the day early was a bummer for us, but it could have been worse. And since we shuttled the cars back, it saved the boys some SST conniptions at the end!
Apparently, the rest of the tour went well, with an exit by headlamp in the dark. Dave, Rob or Shaggie will have to post a map, since I'm not exactly sure where their route went.
Unfortunately, the shuttle vehicles were ticketed for parking in a posted area at the tour start that actually was the only UN-posted area we saw, so heads up next time!
Dave's pics.
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