Day 4 (Layover) - Climb the Ridge on Black Giant
From camp at the base of the massive Black Giant northeast face, seven bold hikers set out for a day of scrambling on loose talus up Black Giant’s back side. Lunch on the ridge at 13,000’ near the summit was ample reward for the strenuous climb! The view over the edge of the sheer 1700’ drop was not too shabby either!
17 Photographs
1
The team smiles with eager spirits before tackling the rocky talus on the back side of Black Giant (13,330’).
2
It’s a long ways up, but it doesn’t look too steep. Should be a piece of cake (hah!)
3
It’s not steep, but it’s all loose... yuk!
4
Margi, Julia and Sparky are still smiling... don’t laugh too hard, or those rocks will slide out from under you!
5
Clare’s first peak climb, and I bet she’s concluding that all mountains are just piles of loose, treacherous rock! Bonnie keeps a smile on...
6
...and we just keep scrambling our way upwards. One rock forwards, two slides backwards...
7
...and we finally reach the ridge (13,000’), whew! And what an impressive drop on the other side!
8
There’s no better place for lunch than where we’re sitting right now! Let’s eat!
9
It’s a 360° panorama, and we can see our camp from here - it’s at the bean-shaped lake in the center of the view over the steep side.
10
Hi mom! Guess what - I’m on top again!
11
The trip back down this loose stuff was at least as fun as the trip up... can’t wait to do it again!
12
Helen Lake and Muir Pass (left) will be on our route tomorrow.
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A cracked, undercut chunk of snow make an impressive backdrop to this small lake.
14
Meanwhile, we’ve still got some descending to do. Some of us choose to glissade down the snow...
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... while others stick to the rocks. Bonnie waves as she negotiates a nice chute.
16
Sparky can’t believe she climbed down something so steep. (Way to go, Sparky!)
17
Margi plans ahead for the margaritas (really!), and collects some nicely pre-crushed ice.