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| Hiking | 6.60 Miles |
3,064 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.60 Miles | 2 Hrs 39 Mns | | 2.49 mph |
| 3,064 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | This was supposed to be a nondescript journey up and down the mountain. Turns out it was made slightly more interesting by a couple of firsts for me. 1. It was my first time completely alone on the mountain in 2015. I did not see a single person on the way up or down. 2. Back during the cleanup JuanJaimeiii threw the gauntlet down on me about having never climbed up the rock I have dubbed The Gatekeeper (although I am sure it is actually named something else, it is The Gatekeeper to me!); it is the giant rock that stands guard at the opening of the canyon that Siphon Draw leads you through up the mountain.
JuanJaimeiii mentioned a path that would have me start from the rear of the formation, skirt around the back face to the front face, and then scramble to the top of it. The approach to the base of it is decidedly off trail and through a thick, sprawling mess of boulders and bushes. You need to watch your footing as you could be walking on a boulder and then suddenly there is a 10 foot drop off a few inches in front of you.
It was slow going, and in fact took longer to reach the base than it did to make my way up the rock. The climb up isn't challenging at all as long as you are picking the right lines. Follow the cracks is something I always try to do and it didn't fail me here. The exposure, however, is pretty crazy. As you are scampering up this rock you and skirting along it's side with sheer drops all around. I never felt unsafe as the footing and handholds are plenty, just that a stumble meant I was going for a long ride. Indeed, it was more unnerving making this climb up than it was tackling Weaver's back in January with JuanJaimeiii and Joe Bartels. Even though I am sure the exposure is more...exposed? on Weaver's, it doesn't feel like it since you are in a chimney type structure.
Upon reaching the top of it, it is definitely cramped quarters. The top is slightly flat and about 5x7 feet maximum. Overall, it was pretty neat and I am glad I gave it a shot. I just need to get someone out with me next time to capture a pretty neat picture! |
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