Jack (pilot), me, Seth and Steve
Seth leading out on the second pitch during the first attempt on the SW ridge of the Ice Pyramid
Steve following on the third pitch that took us to the ridge proper during the first attempt on the SW ridge of the Ice Pyramid.
Steve leading the fourth pitch on the first attempt on the SW Ridge of Ice Pyramid.
The weather was so great every day we hardly had any time to enjoy a little R&R.
The SW Ridge of Ice Pyramid from camp.
This lasted for about 15 minutes until the sun went behind a cloud.
The Exodus on a preliminary recon.
The backside of the aptly named Ice Pyramid.
Ice Pyramid
Steve during a quick break during the first ascent of the Exodus.
Steve kicking steps up the Lefternliest Couloir on the FA.
Lefternliest Couloir.
Steve leading the last pitch up to the summit of The Exodus for the first ascent.
Seth making his way up the Exodus. The second to the last pitch involved lower fifth class climbing, corniced ridge traversing, and good protection when needed.
Seth approaching the summit of the Exodus.
Steve, Seth and I on the summit of Exodus during the first ascent.
This peak was amazing. That hanger was about 200 feet tall.
The Exodus. Our route, the Lefternliest Couloir, should be obvious which one it is.
Unclimbed towers
Steve leading on the second attempt of the SW ridge of the Ice Pyramid.
Steve, sharp end.
Steve coming in midway up the SW Ridge.
Steve approaching our first bivy. Our camp is visible in the upper right on the glacier.
One of the only fast pitches on the route.
Steve on an airy ridge traverse
The flight of the raven boosted our optimism.
I forgot my fork so I got to use the nut tool as a utensil for the rest of the trip.
Cowboy Traverse. The other easy pitch on the route.
Beating away at 6" of snow over slab
going left
Steve leading out on the second day.
Steve coming up.
Seth leading day two, pitch 13
Our second bivy spot. Small, but comfortable. Steve kept feeling like he was going to fall off the ledge. Seth tries to stomach another freeze dried meal.
Three in a small two-man tent with only two sleeping bags...no problem.
Seth reeling in Steve on pitch 17 on the third day.
Looking down from the highpoint of the route. The ridge we ascended is visible below. This point was just near the end of the technical difficulties, but poor weather was moving in and morale was low, so we bailed from 18 pitches up.
Seth rapping before the rope got stuck.
Steve going down on the third rappel.
Seth leading
Seth reclimbing familiar terrain after we freed the rope and traversed over to connect with our route of ascent. This pitch required a rappel on the way up, and climbing up on the way down. Kind of ironic, but necessary.
Steve going up on the way down.
Steve leading back down the ridge during an 11 PM sunset.
A beautiful sunset on the Revelation Mountains.
Seth coming down on one of the easier pitches that took us back to our first bivy site.
Sunset behind the Apocalypse.
Back at the first bivy, I was drained, wet and cold.
The last rappel that took us to the ground was at a hanging anchor I made. It wasn't comfortable and we were stacked in like sardines, but it got us to the ground.
Rappelling down
Back on ground.
Seth rocking the mohawk.
Ice Pyramid. The SW ridge is on the right, somewhat obscured by the background. We made it 18 pitches up last year (about 2/3 of the way up the ridge and almost above the last technical difficulties) before being turned by incoming weather.
Wind and weather came in just as we thought it would. Glad we weren't still up high on the route.
Hiking down the terminus of the glacier. Hesperus in the background.
The only dry spot we could find to lay a tent during the hike out.
Finally at Rob's lodge, Hesperus and the Revelations in the background.
