Blue Dome, El Greco. In May, Winfred Blevins, Leeds Davis and I climbed the first technical route up the south buttress of Little Blue Dome, located along the High Sierra trail in Sequoia National Park, about nine miles from the trail head. Our route climbs a steep crack system on the south buttress and traverses the improbable-looking upper west face, via an exhilarating layback, to the base of a hanging open-book on the west face. Pitches five and six, up this prominent book, involve some strenuous crack climbing. One pin of aid, the only on the climb, was used in a dirt-filled, overhanging crack. Above the book the route continues north to the south summit. NCCS III, F8, A1.

Hooman Aprin