Two current Sierra stories share one of those odd, dark coincidences that sometimes occur to us who take the trail less traveled.

Climber and writer Mike Ybarra was killed sometime in the last few days doing a solo traverse of the Sawtooth Ridge in Yosemite, which stretches from Matterhorn Peak to Eocene Peak, on the northern border of the park.

At the same time, we have been discussing Backpacker Magazine's treatment of women in general and Laura in particular in their coverage of the Sierra Challenge, which this year begins with an ascent of Eocene Peak.

Perhaps women's participation will be celebrated and Mike will be remembered in that opening event.

Sorry, this almost reads like some sort of attempt to link the whole forgotten females discussion with a very very tragic event far removed from the prior topic.

I suppose I could be making too much of it, but I was very struck by the coincidence of the location of the tragic event and the start of this year's Sierra Challenge. I had never heard of Eocene Peak, but saw it both on the map of the Sawtooth Ridge I found reading the Mike Ybarra story and in the SC material looking into Laura's story, about 1/2 hour apart. It was apparently either Mr. Ybarra's starting point or his destination, as he was reportedly traversing the Ridge.

Not an attempt at making a connection, just an observation of the coincidence.

There are coincidences occasionally. Mr. Ybarra's untimely death is sad. I posted this on wpsmb:



Matterhorn Pk and Sawtooth Ridge is on the northeast boundary of Yosemite, and can be reached from Twin Lakes out of Bridgeport. Picture here:


Caption: "Sawtooth ridge in Yosemite from the 395
I believe Matterhorn Peak is the on the on left of the ridge. Sawtooth ridge is in the very North Eastern tip of Yosemite and is a beautiful area to explore minus the Yosemite crowds."




And gregf posted a link to the Mono County Sheriff's Office press release, dated July 5, 2012:
Overdue Climber found deceased in the Sawtooth Range

Two pictures from the Wall Street Journal article, "Writer and Climber, 45, Is Killed Near Yosemite":

Michael J. Ybarra holds his godson and nephew, Grant Gordon.
     

Michael Ybarra climbing in Hyalite Canyon.
     

Rest in Peace, Michael.

According to the local media, and the Mono Sheriff's report (thank you Steve), Mr. Ybarra was attempting a traverse between Matterhorn Peak and Blacksmith Peak. Eocene Peak is Northwest of Blacksmith Peak and is not usually part of the Sawtooth traverse. He had signed the summit register at Matterhorn Peak, but not at The Cleaver. He had not intended to go anywhere near Eocene Peak. His body was found somewhere NW of Matterhorn Peak.

http://www.sierrawave.net/12935/dies-in-car-crash/
Read further down in the article to see the report on Mr. Ybarra.

The tranverse he was attempting is long, exhausting and technical (5.6 - 5.8) in places, with several long rappels, depending on whether he stayed near the ridge line or not: Matterhorn Peak, the Dragtooth, the Doodad, the Three Teeth, the Sawblade, Cleaver Peak, and then Blacksmith Peak. Three "rest" spots at Polemonium Pass, Col de Doodad and Glacier Col. There are a few Class 3/4 tranverses to the West of the main ridge line.

His approach probably would have been up the Horse Creek trail and exit via one of the branches of the Blacksmith Creek trail.

Eocene Peak is Class 2 from most directions.

SaltyDog

I read Laura's post but didn't catch the link between her post and this post so I for one am glad you pointed out the coincidence between the Sierra Challenge and where Mr. Ybarra was when he unfortunately lost his life...he sure has a cute nephew and godson. I thought I knew a lot about Yosemite but now I realize there are many peaks and areas I have had no clue about. I am going to go back and read MooseTracks post again and click on the links.

These stories were my first introduction to Sawtooth Ridge in any depth. I understand that the classic or at least usual traverse is between Matterhorn and Blacksmith, but all of the maps I have looked at clearly indicate that as a geological feature, Sawtooth Ridge is bounded by Matterhorn and Eocene Peaks. However you define it, its a pretty impressive formation. Certainly see why it qualifies for the Sierra Challenge.

Climbing in class 5 is no longer my thing, so I haven't looked at it much recently. But I can't help wondering whether a solo like this of "long, exhausting and technical (5.6 - 5.8) in places, with several long rappels" (and pretty remote, no?) is considered prudent, or perhaps I should ask where one would put it on the prudent risk scale.

As I say, I have been out of this class of climbing since I retired my Goldline, so others' perspective on this is pretty interesting. I also have a personal angle: how I can explain to loved ones the relative risks of my own intent to solo the HST and JMT in the next couple of years. Especially with the possibility of a couple of class 2-3 side trips.

Salt, what's prudent for one person may not be for another. Most of what I do is in the Class 3-4 range, more 3. For most mountaineers, that's a walk in the park, but if I talked to most of my friends about it, they think it's some death defying climb and stupid risk.

There's inherent risk in everything. I think as long as you are prepared and have the skills, the risk is worth taking. We can just pull up the statistic that you're more likely to die in a car accident. Most () of us can drive, but there will always be factors out of our control in life everyday.

When I first got into all this, I thought, "Whitney...wow", then the phrase was turned towards the Palisades, then the Evolution peaks...it's amazing how many incredible mountains are out there that most people will never touch or ever hear about.

Best wishes to Mr. Ybarra's family.