East Mormon Peaks

East Mormon Peaks (7378, 7201, 7222 and 7365)

I saw these peaks 16 years ago, first from Moapa Peak, then from Mormon Peak (7414'). I mapped out the approaches. When we went back to Climb Shark's Tooth (7249') in 2014, Tracy set off to climb 7222' (my group split off to find a way up the east side of Mormon Peak). Thus my interest was rekindled in these slightly lower, more remote peaks. It took me awhile, and Anji supplied the attitude and calm to get it done.

I know Tracy had climbed 7222' in 2014. None of the other peaks had cairns or survey towers, or records of vistation.

Harlan W S & Anji C
April 13, 2019

This map gives some context. The area is NE of Las Vegas.	A closer view. 7201 barely has 200' prominence, but sure feels like a peak (or PITA)	Here's my view east in 2014, from the 7414' Mormon Peak. For the 4/13/19 trip we approached from the other side, off the Carp-Elgin Rd.
Ani's pic back (the car is at R) as we start the ascent. It was 36F an hour before	Heading W, trying to keep above the wash. Our aim is to go through the left-most notch.	View S. We got tired of the thick brush in the wash, and headed up.
The snow was crunchy early in the day	View of the snowy Spring Mts in distance. In forground is "the Dome" where I saw signatures from Luba Leef and Ed Forkos.	Side view of Moapa Peak
On top of 7378, view S	View NW to Mormon Peak, typical ridge terrain	L to R, 7201, 7222, and 7365
	Coming off the W side of 7201.I never got a summit photo, but spire in back gives an idea of terrain. No walkoff, and not safe.	So we went to L side, then R, then L... to get down
7222 and 7365 ahead	The Dome again	Passing below 7222. I spent some energy trying to find a way up one gully, only to be turned back at crumbly class 5
Finally! Anji's pic of me on 7222 summit block	Anji makes final steps	Anji on 7222
Anji's pic of me on 7222, contemplating 7365 (L) and descent ridge (R)	View back W at Mormon	Signal Peaks, Utah
	View back at 7201 as we cross to 7365. Google Earth makes everything look so soft and fluffy!	View of the ridge E of 7365; we would start a bit too early on our descent
On 7365	Mormon to W of 7365	A view back at our route
Anji on 7365, view N	Ram Mts to W	Coming off SE side of 7365
We thought we saw a good line, but hit lots of cliffs and a 50' dryfall. We actually descended at least 0.5 miles short of the route we picked.	I'm right above the dryfall. That cliff is several hundred feet high	Anji makes one of many zigzag routes to avoid cliff bands
We were finally able to hug the base of cliff 2 photos back.	Anji's view back UP at our route down.	The W side of 5804. There may be a weakness middle of photo near the bottom.
Agave roasting pit	Our car!	Tired, we pack up. Many, many thanks to Anji for driving most of the way.
This was one of the oddest injuries I've had while hiking A pine branch, diameter of scar, got lodged in the back of my thumb and broke off to about 1" length. I couldn't pull it out with my fingers, but was finally able to pull it out with my teeth. I cleaned it with snow and quickly bandaged the wound.