Griffith by a Hard Route: NNE Ridge

Pics by Harlan W S
Aug 15, 2022

First four pics show route and context. Be prepared for this route to take a long time, partly in navigation, partly because hauling oneself up the cliff bands and talus is tiring.
The first obstacle, and one of the higher cuts through cliff bands, are easily class 4.

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Kelly A's route in blue,
mine in red. I planned
to follow the blue
but accidentally took
on iffier rock.
 11ridge
View S from Fletcher.
Red route goes up
cliffier section.
 12ridge
View from Old SLT.
The upper ridge has
many cliff bands
that take time.
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Context
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Now the "hike."
I've started up
ridge; view to
Charleston behind
Cathedral Rock.
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This first obstacle
was a doozy. I went up
to the sunlit area. There
were sparse cairns! The
track went to the R.
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This move exhausted
me. This very steep
chimney had a narrow
exit; it took me 10 min
to get through. [Bruce S.
later said one should
stay on the western edge]
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In a gully on
1st obstacle
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View to Mummy.
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Still steep.
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View N. I think
this may be
"Baby Griffith."
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I followed east side
of a cliff band and
found this chute
with a cairn.
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View N, chute
on right
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Top of Griffith
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No storms to SE...
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...but rain S of
Charleston. I heard
thunder about 500'
below east side
of summit.
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Charleston.
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Took Old SLT down.
Mushrooms everywhere.
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View E from OLD
SLT. I could hear
and see water in
gully. Thats the
ridgeline I ascended.