The Third Pillar

Tuolumne Granite

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Summary

Third Pillar Of Dana
Third Pillar.
Shirley and I climbed the Regular Route on The Third Pillar Of Mount Dana (5 pitches, 5.9+) in July of 2007. This was a consolation prize after failing on a bigger objective in some valley down below. Perhaps it was all the hyping up we’ve heard, but there was nothing that outstanding about this line. Nice for sure but best 5.9 anywhere? If you says so. Somewhat unique also in the sense that you finish the climb next to your packs. Crowded that day.

Photos

The Nose
On the way to a walk of shame (July 2007).

The Nose
Leading pitch 2 (July 2007).

The Nose
Big El C towers above (July 2007).

The Nose
Atop of Pine Line (July 2007).

The Nose
Middle Cathedral Rock from the base of The Nose (July 2007).

The Nose
We got to The Valley in the afternoon and bivied at the edges of legality – one pitch up Pine Line (July 2007).

The Nose
Jugging pitch 1 of The Nose (which we had fixed the evening before; July 2007).

The Nose
Starting pitch 2 I think of The Nose (July 2007).

The Nose
Higher on pitch 2 (July 2007).

The Nose
Pitch 2 of The Nose (July 2007).

The Nose
Pitch 2 (July 2007).

The Nose
Pitch 3 (July 2007).

The Nose
Looking back at Shirley from Sickle Ledge (July 2007).

The Nose
Fixing pitch 5 above Sickle (July 2007).

The Nose
Shirley on Sickle Ledge (July 2007).

The Nose
Middle Cathedral Rock from Sickle Ledge (July 2007).

The Nose
The bail (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley starting the scenic approach to the Third Pillar Of Dana (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
The scenic approach hike (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Getting closer (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
The Third Pillar Of Dana with two people on top (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
An unknown party at the start of the Regular Route on Third Pillar Of Dana (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Pitch 1 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
More pitch 1 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley following the first pitch (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Some views (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Topping out on pitch 1 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Leading pitch 2 of the Regular Route (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Pitch 2 with a member of another party at belay (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley on pitch 3 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Views of Mono Lake from the Regular Route on Third Pillar Of Dana (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Topping out on pitch 3 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley entering a chimney behind a large flake on pitch 4 – I think we belayed here and broke up P4 into two pitches (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley on pitch 4 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Arriving at a claustrophobic belay (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
We moved the belay to the right spot for P4 – top of the flake (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Starting the lead of the 5th and last pitch (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Looking back at Shirley from the start of the lead of pitch 5 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Higher on pitch 5 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
At the crux (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley following the 5th and final pitch of the Regular Route on Third Pillar Of Dana (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
More views of Mono Lake from the top of The Pillar (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley in the thin of it on pitch 5 (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Views from the top; that’s highway 120 dropping down the east slope towards Lee Vining (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Shirley topping out on the route (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
The ruggedly beautiful Dana Plateau (July 2007).

Third Pillar Of Dana
Hiking back (July 2007).

Go back to The Sierras.