North America, United States, California, High Sierra, Big Adventure

Publication Year: 1997.

High Sierra, Big Adventure. On August 5, Josh Schmidt (16), Jared Kraus (16), and Daniel Winetsky (15) embarked on an 18-day adventure in the High Sierra. Beginning at the Balls in Southern Yosemite, the three brushed up on the fundamentals of multi-pitch climbing before setting out into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. After spending a few days fishing alpine lakes, the trio climbed the west face of Triple Divide Peak. Descending the east face, they climbed the beautiful and exposed fourth and easy fifth class ridge of Post Peak. After a rest day in Bass Lake, it was off to the Ritter Range, approaching from the west side. After a three-day approach and an afternoon of self-arrest practice, the trio climbed the north glacier between Ritter and Banner to its saddle and then climbed the west face of Banner, topping out on fifth class towers that led to the easy summit ridge. The very next day, Jared and Josh climbed the east face of Ritter, finishing the fourth class ascent with a pitch of 5.8 rock that led to the summit ridge. The group took the next day as a “rest day,” establishing seven new routes on two walls adjacent to the northernmost of the Ritter lakes. All routes were done on top-rope climbing in lug-soled mountaineering boots. (The ratings may therefore be a bit skewed.)

Christian Santelices