Bear Creek Spire (CA) by Ulrich's Route

Harlan WS + Jim M
Aug 19, 2016

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We went in by Treasure
Lakes, but that involves
a LOT of boulder-hopping.
The way down involved
less, and the hypothetical
"alt" route may be better.
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Near the top.  If you
are willing to zig-zag
a lot. you can find a
class 2 way to Cox Col.
Earlier in the year, you
should have crampons
and ice axe.
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Morning. Bear Creek
Spire (BCS) is left
of center.
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Columbine
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Reflections on
Dade Lake
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Craig coming to Cox Col.
There is a rappel sling at L.
Jim saw us going S, and
successfully got up that
way, eventually; but Craig
and I had shortly abandoned
that route as too difficult!
So we spent about 20
minutes at the col wondering
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Guide on arete route
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Guide on arete route
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Craig comes around
corner
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I'm on the summit
block, looking back
at Craig and Jim.
I brought up 20m
of 8mm rope...
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Jim's view of me on
summit block
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How we arranged
the rope for protection
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Me going down the
block, Craig will
soon follow, then we
spot Jim as he
touched highpoint.
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There is a good rap
station just before the
summit block, which
the guided group
took down.  But it
probably needs 60m
of rope
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View back at the summit
block, where we just were.
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Rapping down the crack.
We took the route
suggested by Bob
Sihler on summitpost
(went up this crack)
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Craig rapping down.
  We managed to leave
no anchor behind.
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Gabb in back.
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Down the class 2/3.
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Descent from Cox
Col.  The snow was slick
and rock-hard in the AM.
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View back at BCS.
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More columbines.