September 14, 2008
North Ridge of Conness
Joe, Toby, Jerrad
The icing on top of Toby's birthday cake - North Ridge of Conness
Toby threw a righteous birthday party this year. He called for it to be spent on the golden granite of the incomparable North Ridge of Mount Conness. I had done the route before, and remembered it as nothing but exciting fun. So the three of us made the shotgun drive down at dark thirty, caught a pretty early boat shuttle and were hiking up towards the glacier under iridescent blue skies. Happy Birthday to all of us!
Conness on the left (North Ridge starts in the low saddle in the center of the picture). North Peak is on the right. We had closed out the ski season here back in July. Gotta love this place!
One of the glacial blue Conness lakes below the route:
Birthday Boy with the milky till lake below:
Time to get this party started!
Jerrad ahead of Toby climbing towards the 1st tower:
Spectacular route, yes?
Toby and Jerrad on the stretch between Tower #1 and #2 with the summit ridge looming beyond:
Toby acting like it's his 10th birthday at the pool, and he's clowning round on the diving board....
Jerrad with Northwestern Yosemite beyond:
The final steps to the top of the 2nd tower:
Toby on the 1st rap:
Jerrrad:
A little blood was shed by the photographer due to a misplaced foot on the 2nd rap. This wound led to 10 days of antibiotics and a scab that hung around for 6+ weeks!
A couple of real climbers were out there cruising up the route casually. They didn't bother with the raps and were definitely keeping it real on the sharp edge of the route.
We tried to keep ourselves on route most of the time too. Although on the final crux face, the route options were limitless.
Staying true to the route, and staying on the edge. The 2nd tower and two raps are behind Toby.
Lotta air between here and there...
Jerrad in a chill spot. That's Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows behind him. Even Half Dome is visible.
And looking East over the glacier, far below.
Jerrad heads out for the final push to the summit plateau.
Toby takes one last look STRAIGHT down into the glacier before summiting:
After a welcome summit rest we descended towards the East Ridge. Here's a look at the spectacular SW face. Big time, big wall, backcountry climbing here.
I preferred this descent route over the route to Alpine Lake. Stay on the trail until the lowest notch between Conness ridge and White Mountain. Then descend here into the drainage. You are on a trail the whole time.
After the Carnegie we crossed the creek and made the last brutal uphill slog to the car at Saddlebag Lake.
North Ridge rocks!