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CRYSTAL CRAG


Pictures of the ascent of Crystal Crag, via the North Arête (5.7), July 1, 2005.

(Click image for larger view)



1. Banner Peak and Mount Ritter, around 8:45 am.

2. Clyde Minaret and Michael Minaret, Western aspects.

3. Mammoth Mountain

4. Crystal Crag and Mammoth Crest from the Cessna 421.

 
5. In the cabin.


6. In the cockpit.

 
7. View from Mammoth Airport - Mount Morrison, etc.		  
8. At the trailhead, 9:40 am.

9. Checking out the climb. (photo by Adrien Wacziarg)
10. Hiking in. (photo by Adrien Wacziarg)  


11. Crystal Crag comes into view.


12. Crystal Crag.


13. North Arête of Crystal Crag.


14. Gearing up, 11:15 am.


15. Crystal Lake from the first pitch of the North Arête.

 


16. Climbing the first pitch.


17. From the second belay.

18. From the third belay.
19. Base of the Crystal Pitch. It would have been possible to get here with 2 pitches of 60m, but we did it in 3 pitches of 40m, making communication easier.


20. Leading the Crystal Pitch. Magnificent!


21. Leading the Crystal Pitch (contd.)

 

22. Leading the Crystal Pitch (contd.)

 
23. Climbing to the false summit.

 
24. Work ahead: the traverse to the true summit.


25. Atop the crystal pitch (pitch #4).

26. Down-climbing from the false summit to reach the ridge.


27. Mount Ritter and Banner Peak from Crystal Crag.
 
28. Down-climbing false summit #2.


29. Down-climbing false summit #2.

30. Simulclimbing to the summit of Crystal Crag.

 
31. On the summit. Getting ready for lunch (around 3 pm).

  
32. Soloing to the highest point. Exposed!

33. Enjoying the very top.
 
34. Down-climbing the 3rd class West Face.
35. Crystal Lake from the West Face.
 
36. Almost out of the Class 3 part.		  
37. Crystal Crag from Crystal Lake.
 
38. The North Arête against the skyline.
39 Climber on a variation of the North Arête.
 
40. More of Crystal Crag.		  
41. From the return hike.

42. Back at the plane.
43. Adrien and the Cessna. 
 
44. Looking Southwest, shortly after take-off.
45. The Minarets, Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.
 
46. West Face and South Ridge of Crystal Crag from the plane.
 
47. Looking South.
48. Eastward view.
 
49. Looking North.
50. Looking North - Ritter, Banner and the Minarets.
 
51. Over Yosemite.
52. David and Adrien in the cockpit.
 
53. Half Dome and Yosemite. Cathedral Peak, Matthes Crest and Clouds Rest are also visible.


54. El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, and Half Dome.

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55. In the cabin.		  
56. Palo Alto Airport, around 8 pm.

57. David and his plane.
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