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.

The route up, and down (southernmost).	The Girls, looking arch.	Lori tries to fly, to save time.
Finally at 11300’ on the ridge.	Les Femmes are right behind.	Judy contemplates the Inyos.
See the people down below? This is the start of class 4 chute.	University Peak and Robinson Lake.
On the summit ridge; Lori has her way with a block. It’s steeper than it looks; I’ve tilted the Camera.	Our car is down there. The blue dot is Susan.	More Lori.
Lori being tall.	Hey, I know that Walt!
		South over descent ridge.
Black Kaweah.	View NE.
Lori tries to get in picture, but I grab her by the nape of the neck and teach her some manners.	The knife edge. I’ve retouched the color to emphasize the edge..	Looking down the class 3 sandy loose chute. I’m waiting for Lori to retrace Bob Burd’s route.
OK, she’s done.	View up, as Lori descends/	Down the talus, trying to catch Judy and Susan, who were speeding ahead.
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?