Crystal Crag / Bear Creek Spire
Ascents of Crystal Crag (North Arête, 5.7) and Bear Creek Spire (North Arête, III, 5.8), John Muir Wilderness, CA, with René Renteria, June 25, 2006
Timeline:
June 23, 2006. Crystal Crag. As a warm-up for Bear Creek Spire, we climbed the Crystal Crag's North Arête (5.7). Leaving from our family vacation spot in Strawberry around 10:30, we arrived in Mammoth in the early afternoon and were at the trailhead at 14:30. We were back at the car around 18:30.
June 24, 2006. Little Lakes Valley and the Approach to Dade Lake. Fearing a lot of postholing due to the large amounts of snow remaining from a record snowfall winter, we left the trailhead around 9:00, and reached camp at Dade Lake at 13:00. We spent the afternoon trying to stay out of the sun beneath some stunted pine trees.
June 25, 2006. Climbing the North Arête of Bear Creek Spire. We left camp at 5:30, were at the base of the route at 7:00, and at the summit at 16:30. We were back in camp at 19:30 pm.