Stately Pleasure Dome South Crack
Friends: Only God!Location: Tuolumne Meadows
Elevation gain: 0m = 0m
South Crack, Grade II, 5.8 R
June 22, 2003
back to Sierras...
Well, it was our last day for climbing, sigh. We'd had such a great time. South Crack is a classic, awesome route with some great 5.8 finger cracks. Here are notes from our journal:
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P1 Michael 40 m - Fun flake grabbing led to a delicate traverse to a wide crack, made easier by a flake in the back. The crack narrowed to finger-width, occasionally pinching off to nothing (5.8). Sustained, great climbing here! Semi-hanging belay from a cam, nut and piton. |
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P2 Aidan 25 m - Beautiful finger pinches! As I climbed I let the world know how awesome they were! Stopped halfway up at nice ledge because a slow party in front blocked the way. Michael and I took a long nap on seperate ledges while we waited, then I belayed him to my ledge. (5.8)
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P3 Aidan 25 m - Led the rest of the crack to the start of slab! Looked like runout climbing above...It was!
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P4 Michael 50 m - Got two pieces of gear in the right trending crack, then set off left for unprotected 5.6 friction. A good cam placement was the only protection for 25 feet of 5.7 slab climbing to a gear belay atop flakes. Exciting pitch!
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P5 Aidan 50 m - Led easy runout slabs to bolts. One piece on entire pitch. (5.4)
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P6 Michael 45 m - Straight up on easy slab then crack climbing to ledge belay that marked end of climb (5.5). Traverse left to descent route.
Again we hiked down 3rd/4th class slabs like our previous trip to Stately Pleasure. This is another great climb with a great partner!
Aidan on pitch 2
First pitch with a party above
Another shot of Aidan on pitch 2
Clowning around
Aidan on top
A world of domes from near the summit
Aidan descending from Stately Pleasure Dome