Rainbow without the Ledges or Sense: Part II

Harlan W S
April 25, 2012

After my last episode, descending this route in snowstorm on May 23, 2010, I swore that I would never go again in bad weather. Lo and behold, we ascended in a rainstorm!

Blue is our 2012 path; Red is the 2010 path.		Harmless gopher snake, the kind Snow Nymph turns into belts.
	We didn’t know there were other ways, so I climbed up this crack. Unfortunately, it ended in a 6’ near-vertical, moss-covered wall… which I climbed, then dropped a strap.	After the strap (which Barb didn’t need), we head to the top of the falls.
		We avoid the (now-missing) first fixed rope.
	The 2^nd fixed rope. Thank God it was still there. Barb once climbed on the L, unprotected, but water was now sheeting off the rock, making the whole deal seem a little sketchy.
This is one of the nastiest parts.
We spent about 3 seconds on top.
The Hell with chivalry! I stayed under the overhang as we ate lunch, because I wanted avoid gear more significant than my shorts and T-shirt.		Wilson in back.
Coming up the ledges.		Mike comes around Photographic Ledge.
		Now we descend off the W side of Rainbow Wall.
		Some rock climbers had left slings at the log above the Gunsight crack, probably misunderstanding the need to rappel (the bad crack is well below this)
	THIS is where some guides recommend setting up a rappel. Locals know the holds, and don’t need extra aid.
E.g., there is a hidden hold below Mike.
		We were able to earn our 13^th “GINSU Peak” club card, for “Climbing Rainbow Peak in Bad Weather, Twice.” We each got a steak knife.