Is it a mountain, or just a pile of rocks? Sometimes they’re hard to tell apart! Mt. Agassiz (13,893’) looks like a straightforward climb from Bishop Pass, so Margi and I stash our packs, and head upwards...

We soon find ourselves amongst bizarre rocks like these!

The steep terrain means we gain altitude quickly - pant, pant!

But the view opens up just as quickly.

Margi scouts out a route up the ridge, up a wonderful, fun steep stretch.

Finally, we’re on top of the steep parts, and we can take a breather to enjoy the view again.

“The top’s right up there! Let’s go!”

The rest of the North Palisades come into view, with their spectacular glaciers and dramatic, steep peaks.

“There’s no place left to go up, so we must be on top!” Three hours from when we left the pass, Margi gets to pose for her summit portrait...

...and I can barely take my eyes off the view long enough to pose for my summit shot!

It’s a 360° panorama, from the top of the world! (Well, it felt like it, anyway!)

My arm is just long enough to get us both in one shot! That’s the rest of the Palisades behind us. Hi mom!

The trip down took a mere two hours. After a last look back at our mountain, we pick up our packs and catch up with the rest of the group patiently waiting for us in Dusy Basin.