Independence Peak, CA

pics by Harlan W. S.
Sept.1, 2008

 

OK, I lost my camera the day before on University Peak, in the Great Windstorm of 2008. The next day, when it was calmer, we went up Independence Peak; I used my spare camera.  I didn’t have much beta (unprepared), so I led us on a few goofs down the North Ridge.  We finally found the class 4 chute mentioned by Secor and Branch Whitney.

 

I wish I had taken pictures down the class 4 chute, but I was busy trying to protect the route.  It is real class 4, if not a little worse.  But just to the

south, perhaps less than 100 meters,  is a class 3 rib, which we didn’t see until we hit the summit.

 

indep

The route up, and down (southernmost).

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The Girls, looking arch.

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Lori tries to fly, to save time.

 

 

 

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Finally at 11300’ on the ridge.

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Les Femmes are right behind.

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Judy contemplates the Inyos.

 

 

 

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See the people down below?

This is the start of class 4 chute.

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University Peak and Robinson Lake.

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On the summit ridge;

Lori has her way with a block. It’s

steeper than it looks; I’ve tilted the

Camera.

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Our car is down there. 

The blue dot is Susan.

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More Lori.

 

 

 

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Lori being tall.

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Hey, I know that Walt!

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South over descent ridge.

 

 

 

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Black Kaweah.

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View NE.

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Lori tries to get in picture, but I grab her by

the nape of the neck and teach her

some manners.

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The knife edge.  I’ve retouched

the color to emphasize the edge..

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Looking down the class 3 sandy

loose chute.  I’m waiting for Lori

to retrace Bob Burd’s route.

 

 

 

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OK, she’s done.

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View up, as Lori descends/

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Down the talus, trying to catch

Judy and Susan, who were

speeding ahead.

 

 

 

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Looking back and up at the peak.

I next watched three thin women eat more

at Subway than I could in two days. 

Where do they put it?