
It was 79F when I got
back to the car, but
fortunately it was windy,
with 30mph gusts.
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Context map.
Grid is 10 km.
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Here are some local
peaks, from about
1 km into the hike.
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The rightmost peaklet
is Fire Cliffs High Point
(FCHP). On this side,
FCHP rises about 300'
above the talus at the
base.
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First, calibration. I went
directly through the cliffs.
This would be class 4
in stable sierra granite; but
it is in crappy rock, so I
skipped most obvious holds and it was cl 5.
Think I'm overrating it?
Go check it out at:
36.24327, -114.65908
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Looking straight
down route in previous
picture.
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I was enjoying the
scenery so much,
I missed my turn.
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Everywhere there are
delicate arches
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Southgate peak.
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more gentle slots
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Moqui marbles,
weathered out of hard
lumps in sandstone.
I slipped on them.
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I tried the left route 3x,
and the right route 1.5x.
The 1st time up the L
route, a foothold
crumbled and
dropped me 2'.
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Video of my 3rd time
up L side. It got easier
each time.
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Hikers heading to
Raven's Balcony,
just S of FCHP.
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At the NW end of
the "broad ledge,"
view down at my
pack. The 1st
hard move (in my
vid) is behind end
of ledge
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Same ledge, slightly
different view.
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The second hard
move is on the
L side of the crack
near top. I can see
a person's height
would contribute
to feeling safe here.
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I later saw a comment
that the register was in
bad shape, and was
advised to bring a
replacement. Oops.
Just a pencil and a
tattered fragment
remain. View WSW.
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Folks still on
Raven's Balcony.,
view ENE.
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Remains of register. I
unjustifiably suspect
that manic peakbaggers
cause some register
neglect.
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View NE from summit.
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Video of me on
R side, class 3 rte.
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If there is a crux on
the R side, it is this. I
went L on way up, but
the other side on
way down (when
my pants stuck, and I
suddenly remembered
what I didn't like about
this side in 2011)
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Top again,
folks leave
Raven's Balcony.
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My pack as viewed
at bottom of R-side
route.
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View to NW.
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Now I'm almost
on top of the next
peaklet NE of
FCHP. The only
"crux" is the move
ahead; on the way up
a hold broke off and
fell a long, long way.
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From very top of
NE peaklet, I look
back over FCHP.
I know it isn't
obvious in this
photo, but FCHP
seemed higher.
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View ~NE from NE
peaklet
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View of Ms.XX's
route, as seen from
NE.
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View to Raven's
Balcony
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This peaklet SW
of FCHP looks
worthy.
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Now back WSW
through neat rocks.
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Southgate in back
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Flintstone hotel
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Probably just fibrous
gypsum.
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