October 18, 2008
Flagpole in the Fall
Joe, Toby
The Flagpole for which it's named. Our route followed the ridge beyond.
Toby and I had been talking about scrambling up the South ridge of Flagpole from Echo Lakes for most of the summer, but had yet to make it happen. Then when the cloudy and unsettled weather made us even more anxious for the next change of season, we felt it was the time to get some mountain therapy. So off we went.
All's quiet at Echo Lakes:
From the saddle, we decided to follow this orange crack up and across to the East Face.
Toby. Echo Lake beyond:
And we were quickly back into that same old no fall zone we often find ourselves in.
Fall like weather spreads across our stomping ground. Freel is capped by a cloud.
Like smoke up a chimney:
Upon the East Face we pondered the possibilities. The inside corner straight ahead is what we chose:
Toby heads up the corner:
Check out the roots on this local resident:
More options in all directions. But we did our best to keep it in the 4th class league.
A look across at Hollywood. Where we were climbing seemed equally as worthy for winter fun too.
Looking straight down the slide path, dreaming of powder turns.
Once upon the ridge the route to the top is visible. Pretty much a 3rd class jaunt from here, with some optional 4th to 5th class in places.
One such place:
Looking back towards the face we climbed. It is definitely a line that needs to be skied. Since it is adjacent to Hollywood, I suggested the name "Prime Time". It's such a fitting tribute to Deion Sanders too.
This guy seemed to like it.
Tahoe is not the Eastside. But we have some fun stuff too. And when it's only 15 minutes from the front door.....
The West face of Flagpole. Where the real climbing happens.
One more look down Hollywood:
Topping out.
The grand view towards Ralston and the Crystal Range:
Downward. Little did we know the fun had just begun...
I interpreted the guide book as describing the descent route towards Echo Lakes as the first gully to the South of the summit. They described it as 3rd class. We were either not in the right gully, or the author was a serious sand bagger. The route down felt like class 5 to us! Toby hoping for happier trails ahead:
Not finding it:
Hoping the rain stays away while we navigate the smooth slabs.
It was a gripping down climb. Not a lot of pictures were taken and fortunately the rain stayed away. Here's looking back at the "gully" we descended.
In the future, I think I would head down to the saddle North of the Flagpole summit and then descend those slopes to Echo Lakes. Or I would have retraced my steps further South before descending.
But we did have a good 'ol time out there, and will surely return (although it will hopefully be snow covered next time we touch the top of that rock).