Protagonist #1: me
Protagonist #2: Derek
Obvious, impossible to miss, spot where to split off the main trail to cross the meadow to the river crossing. There were no less than five! cairns here.
The meadow crossing
leads on well travelled trail to the river crossing. Notice the big boulder. Aim for this on the way back
We crossed on the log to the left of the frame
Scratching post
The Objective!
The Incredible Hulk rises above and in front of the surrounding peaks
The Incredible Hulk
Red Dihedral (5.10b) ascends the left facing corner in the bottom right third of the photo
Sun Spot dihedral follows the corner to the right side of the obvious orange block on the left side of the cliff
Evening light and orange granite
Beautiful orange granite
Evening creeps towards the Incredible Hulk.
Sunset
Climbers rapelling Venturi Effect with the last light of the day. Earlier we watched them climbing the Polish Route
Friendly marmot at the base of Red Dihedral, looking to scavenge in any packs left behind. (hang your packs!)
The protagonists getting ready to launch
Me at the P1 belay
Derek at the P1 belay, scoping out P2 and P3, which he linked
We got up too late, and were last in line, behind a party of 3 and two parties of 2! Luckily everyone picked up the pace after the Red Dihedral pitch and there was very little waiting afterwards
Derek finishing up the 5.10b bulge at the top of the dihedral pitch
Derek following P6, after I linked P5 & P6
Derek on P7
P7: beautiful 5.10a splitter
Derek starting up P9
The hole I have to squeeze through to top out
Looking down from the innards of the final chimney
Scrambling down to the rap station. Somewhat sketchy class 3 or 4 downclimb. The rap anchor is down to the cairn and then down to the left
Pitch 11 -- Tad & Sarah at the base, Chris at the top.
