Sierra Trip Reports

Dates: Sunday, December 4, 2011 (Climbing) & Saturday, December 10, 2011 (Lunar Eclipse)

Locations: 90-Foot Cliff, South Lake Tahoe & San Francisco Bay

Climbers: Brandon & Nick

Photos: Nick (unless otherwise noted)

Synopsis: With the severe lack of snow in the Tahoe and High Sierra this early December due to (among other things) a high-pressure ridge sitting off the coast of California, Brandon and I decided to test the weather last Sunday for some winter-cragging in the Tahoe area.

Our original intention was to head to the Leap and test out how cold it really was, but we were quickly dissuaded by the shaded aspects, strong winds and below freezing temps. Therefore, we headed over to 90-Foot Wall in the Emerald Bay area for a good top-roping zone in the sun.

As a bonus, this past Saturday was a full lunar eclipse that was best viewed in the Western U.S., with the peak occurring at 6:30 A.M. PST. Given that the next full lunar eclipse will not occur until April 2014, I felt the need to get up and combat the light pollution of San Francisco and try and capture the event.

CLIMBING AT 90-FOOT WALL, EMERALD BAY, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

The weather forecast had called for below freezing temperatures the night before, with a gradual day-time warming up to the mid-40s. We knew that the Leap does not get sun this time of year, but I felt that some cold-rock suffering could prove some Type II fun as training for future alpine endeavors.

Needless to say, we were the only climbers approaching the Leap at 9 AM, quickly realizing that it may be too cold for exposures without the benefit of some sun. On the hike up to the Main Wall, Brandon was checking out some ice.

Things got weird quick – as I think we were looking for excuses to bail. Photo: Brandon

We got up to the Main Wall, got out the gear and the winds started to pick up. It was only in the mid-30s at this point and in the shade. I started on the lead up Corrugation Corner (wanting to climb it for the 2nd time in less than a month), and after literally about 15 vertical feet my hands were completely numb. I stuck in a piece, hung for a second and had a quick discussion with Brandon. Going up meant (i) more wind, (ii) more cold rock and (iii) serious discomfort. Ultimately, decisions for sunny cragging and coffee trumped any notion of alpinist dreams we had!

We rushed down the approach trail, checked the guidebook to confirm that 90-Foot Wall got sun this time of year, and started the drive over.

90-Foot Wall is an extremely popular top-roping crag in the summer with very easy access, a scenic setting and an abundance of good routes in the 5.10 range. The rock is solid and offers polished crack climbing, very similar to Yosemite Valley style climbing in my opinion.

Upon arrival there was only one other party there, including some kids ripping up the easier routes. Always awesome to see the young kids starting early. Reminds me of my days at summer camp in North Carolina climbing in Linville Gorge and Table Rock.

Anyway, we pretty much leapfrogged the TR anchors up top and got on as many routes as we could.

Brandon with a nice warm-up on what I believe is Ice Nine (5.10a).

Moving over to the next route (without having to move the anchor), Brandon on Lightning Bolt (5.10b).

Generally Brandon would climb the route and lower off, and then I would climb, walk off and move the anchor over one set of bolts. Was efficient without any other parties at this point in the late afternoon, so we were able to quickly check out all the different zones.

The light was also starting to get flat, so I tried to lower the saturation a bit on the pictures to show the features in the rock better. Really fun, short crack climbs.

Brandon on Alias Emil Bart (5.10c).

This was a great route, with Brandon pulling what I think we thought was the move right after the crux.

In a good resting spot before the next sequence.

I think this was Fallout (5.9), but may be mistaken. In any event, this was a sweet hand crack that offered some good practice on jamming technique.

We moved over and climbed what I think was Strontium 90 (5.8) that went quick, but we were losing light at this point.

Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe with the reflection of the Sierra Crest on the far end of the lake.

Looking up towards Emerald Bay Chutes.

LUNAR ECLIPSE – SAN FRANCISCO

I got up around 5:15 AM PST on December 10th and headed over to San Francisco Municipal Pier next to Fort Mason. While I knew that I would be combating the light pollution given off by the large city lights, I was hoping I could capture the Lunar Eclipse low enough in the sky to include the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance.

After full peak, I used the large telephoto lens (with some additional cropping) to capture the awesome color of the moon.

Cropped in a bit further:

All in all, the eclipse was really cool and I was glad I got up to check it out.