First Trip To The Valley | chossclimbers.com

A Few Words

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

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

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

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).

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

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).

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

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).

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

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

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

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

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

Snake Dike

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go back to Yosemite Valley.