While climbing the Prism and Saber Ridge earlier in the summer I noticed two attractive, unclimbed domes to the west on the same ridgeline, above Tamarack Lake. Local climbers had dubbed these the Choss Boobs. The larger of the two domes was quite impressive and at least 1,000’ tall. Other climbs in this area are composed of solid, white granite; however, the rock on the domes looked unlike anything I have seen in the High Sierra, with much of it composed of different shades of red. Brian Prince and I were puzzled by the mystery and excited to check it out for ourselves in September.

From the High Sierra Trail, we took the Lone Pine cutoff and continued toward Elizabeth Pass. Once we were slightly above the domes, we cut beneath the smaller of the two, on its west side. Up close, both looked steep and complex. We decided to take a direct line up the middle of the south face of the bigger formation. Go big or go home. Hopefully both.

The day went better than expected, with fun climbing, adequate protection, and awesome views to all sides. The red rock was covered with features, which allowed us to pull several of the roofs on large jugs—hero climbing at a very moderate grade. Even though the climbing was never too hard, it was never too easy. Terrain we covered had no sign of previous passage, and neither did the summit.

During our weeklong September outing we read Shakespeare. Since many of his plays were originally performed in a theater named the Globe, that’s what we called the formation, and the route is called Standing Ovation (1,000’, III 5.10). We did not attempt the other, likely unclimbed dome.

– Vitaliy Musiyenko