First Trip To The Valley

Go back to Yosemite Valley.

A Few Words

The Grack, Center

The Grack, Center.

Our first trip to Yosemite Valley took place in June of 2003. This was part of a loosely organized trip with the Mazamas Climbing Club following our graduation from their rock course in spring of ’03. Our friends Mark, Natasha, and Brian were also there. We spent about 4 days climbing some of the lower hanging fruits, including Munginella (5.6), The Grack Center (5.6) and (most proudly at that time) the Snake Dike(5.7) on Half Dome. This last one took us a while in the days before we got our multi-pitch shit together…left the Lower Pines Campground at 4ish in the morning and returned only like midnight-ish :). Fun and memorable for sure. We also got stormed out of Tuolumne (Cathedral Peak attempt) one day. It was a very fun intro. to the place.

A Few Old Photos

Munginella
Munginella

Leading the meandering pitch one of Munginella (June, 2003).

Munginella

Beginning the lead of pitch two of Munginella (June, 2003).

Munginella

Leading the third pitch of Munginella. Shirley is belaying me from top of pitch two (as we broke it up - not the correct belay spot. June, 2003).

Munginella

View of the Lost Arrow Spire from the beginning of Munginella (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center
The Grack, Center

Shirley getting ready to lead pitch one of The Grack, Center. North Dome can be seen in the background; Royal Arches are on the left in the background (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Shirley beginning the lead of pitch one of The Grack, Center (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Shirley leading pitch one of The Grack, Center. The crux of the route is just above her and to the right - the route passes underneath the rock flake and climbs it on the right side. Another party of climbers can be seen at the belay station for pitch two (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Beginning the lead of pitch two of The Grack, Center. Shirley is belaying me from atop pitch one (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Shirley following pitch two of The Grack, Center. Note the characteristic grass in the crack (or grack) phenomenon (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Shirley cleaning pitch two of The Grack, Center (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Beginning the lead of the runout slab portion near top of the third pitch of The Grack, Center (June, 2003).

The Grack, Center

Shirley and yours truly atop of The Grack, Center. North Dome in the background (June, 2003).

Snake Dike
Half Dome

Half Dome. The northwest face is visible on left in profile. Snake Dike climbs the gentle right side of low angle face in photo (June 2006).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Looking back at Shirley from high on pitch 1 of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley following pitch 2 I think of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley following pitch 3 (perhaps 4) of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley atop the third pitch I think on Snake Dike (5.7; June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley topping out on pitch 4 of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley following pitch 5 of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Yours truly belaying from top of pitch 6 (I think) on Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Looking towards Yosemite Falls from somewhere on higher pitches of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike

Yours truly at the belay atop pitch seven of Snake Dike. Total number of pro pieces on this pitch was zero (yes, it’s an easy pitch but….). The next pitch bypasses the “big” roof on the left side.

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley hiking up the third class slabs above Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Synchronized third class slabs drama above Snake Dike on Half Dome (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley on the huge summit plateau of Half Dome (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Yours truly tired on the summit of Half Dome (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley on the summit of Half Dome (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley on the summit of Half Dome after our climb of Snake Dike (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Hiking down the (polish) cables route from summit of Half Dome (June 2003).

Snake Dike (Half Dome)

Shirley hiking down the cables from the summit of Half Dome after our climb of Snake Dike (June 2003).

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