Shuteye - Ridge - Random Climbing

Things have been fairly quiet since I returned from Peru. I needed a good solid rest period, so I have not been doing any major rock climbing or mountaineering. 

Penny enjoying herself at Weaver lake

My adventure psych had been a little bit down lately. I think maybe a combination of  -, having my very psyched partner Troy move away, hitting a plateau in my rock-climbing, and being stressed and super busy at work have impacted my fire for adventure.


On the plus side, I have been spending lots of time with Teresa. We have been out hiking a bunch (Nellie Lake, Twin Lakes, Weaver Lake etc) and we have been tramping around Shuteye Ridge, doing a bit of cragging.

Back in August, we went out to Lost Eagle, which was a gem of a climbing area.

spending time with wife

 There was some terrific runnel climbing, as well as some delicate slab climbing. Very fun!

Runnel climbing

Woot!

 However, the best part of Lost eagle, isn't actually the climbing, but rather the amazing swimming holes!

Swimming holes!

Teresa enjoying the swimming holes.

 I have also brought a few people out on multi-pitch adventures at Big Sleep. James and I climbed Big Sleep twice back-to-back, the runnel wall below Crocodile, and the Milky way wall in a very enjoyable weekend. On another occasion, Jeff, the kindred spirit I met in Peru, paid a short visit and we climbed Big Sleep together.

Teresa and I also spend a day up at Crocodile, which had amazing, steep climbing.

No slabs here

Teresa shows me how its done

Penny also shows me how its done

 The place had really nice views, I will have to go back to complete some projects

Great views..

Vandever Mountain (11,947')

On labour day I headed up to Mineral King for a solo hike up Vandever mountain, a fairly obscure peak near Farewell gap.

Vandever Mountain on the Right

I arrived at the trailhead around 9 am and headed off towards Farewell Gap. As it was a long weekend, all the car-camping campgrounds were full, but surprisingly I didn't really see very many people on the trail. 

It was a fast easy hike up to farewell gap. The snow as mostly gone, and there were plenty of wildflowers. The raging water in the creeks had also subsided compared to the last time I was there!

Residual snow

wildflowers galore

 
Once arriving at Farewell gap, the wind picked up to maybe 30 MPH, I was almost blown over! From the gap its a short class 2 scramble up talus to the summit. 

Talus Mt Florence in the back

Summit selfie

From the top, I could also see the Pier fire burning off in the distance.

Pier Fire

A quick jaunt back to the car. Total trip was maybe 5 hours, with around 12 miles of hiking with 4500' of elevation gain. Not an exciting summit, but a lovely, easy day hike. Its nice to stretch the legs!