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Mt. Ritter - 8/29/22
#59765 08/30/22 04:09 PM
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Successful day hike/climb of Ritter via Agnew Meadows/SE Glacier route (completed with climbing partner Scott Workman).

Left Agnew at 3am and was back to the car ar 6pm, so definitely a long day. Was totally worth it though, as the weather was perfect, the air quality great, and the views clear all around. Went up the grassy ledges and then into the glacier couloir, then up the slopes from the top/right of the glacier. The glacier has several fast flowing rivulets of water flowing down the surface, but these were easily hopped over (we used microspikes to ascend/descend the glacier, but they were not a necessity). There was a small stretch of rock just above the glacier where it was evident these were newly deposited from the spring thaw, and there was some instability in those rocks. Definitely take care when crossing that section. But once above that the rock was solid and the climbing all the way to the summit was rather enjoyable.

Ritter is definitely worthy of emblem peak status on the SPS list, as it has one of the best views I have seen in the Sierra Nevada (I would rate it right there with Split Mt and Middle Palisade in the running for best Sierra summit views I've seen firsthand). Absolutely stoked to have finally bagged this one.

1) great pre-sunrise shot of the Minarets reflecting off Lake Ediza: [img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WrqaoMa1wNH5mZTws75AM7qyBYg8jeST/view?usp=sharing[/img];


2) View down the glacier: [img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nOFbCqM7zmXGdaYvrUbbezZbEMDJgjSx/view?usp=sharing[/img];


3) View as we begin the scramble above the glacier: [img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ld8ZTdGpfTl7L5MXKa9X3qkJrBIG14DA/view?usp=sharing[/img];


4) Summit view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley: [img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OFVesY_wxq3tv7XQerz6m4a6FWsYH6DF/view?usp=sharing[/img];


5) Summit view of Banner Peak, Mono Lake, and the northeastern boundary of Yosemite: [img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g0gwSTthgDMUadc2G4s66-o4STWLRFUO/view?usp=sharing[/img]

Last edited by Steve C; 08/30/22 10:47 PM. Reason: add pictures
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Re: Mt. Ritter - 8/29/22
jackeichler #59767 08/30/22 10:51 PM
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Wow! Thanks for the report and the pictures. It's been a lot of years since I was there. We climbed it from Lake Catherine -- parts of that were pretty hazardous.

The picture of Banner Peak makes you wonder how people can climb it, but I did it with a friend over 10 years ago, and we climbed the scree in the picture -- and it wasn't that bad!

Re: Mt. Ritter - 8/29/22
Steve C #59771 08/31/22 07:16 AM
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Yea, that slope up Banner looks like a slog, but I bet when you're right up on it it's not so bad. If the rock is like the upper slopes of Ritter that would be manageable. I attempted Banner once from Lake Catherine, but had to turn back at the Banner/Ritter saddle due to my climbing partner having some altitude issues. The scramble up and around the lake and then along the glacier was somewhat skethcy in places, but not a miserable slog by any means. When I go back to bag Banner I think I would rather do that then deal with getting up to the saddle from the south side.

Re: Mt. Ritter - 8/29/22
jackeichler #59773 08/31/22 11:00 AM
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Great shots. Looks like a good day.

Re: Mt. Ritter - 8/29/22
jackeichler #59781 09/01/22 01:19 PM
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Correction on the photos: I was a bit off on my direction...photo #4 is actually of Balloon Dome and the San Joaquin River valley.

Re: Mt. Ritter - 8/29/22
jackeichler #59782 09/01/22 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jackeichler
Correction on the photos: I was a bit off on my direction...photo #4 is actually of Balloon Dome and the San Joaquin River valley.

Where is Balloon Dome in the picture?
...nevermind, I found it. It's the dome near the left edge. Mt Tom (west side version) is on the crest above and left of Balloon Dome -- I have snowmobiled there a number of times. Shuteye Peak is the hump on the right side of the picture. I've ridden a mtn bike up there once or twice. Great picture -- brings back lots of memories!

Last edited by Steve C; 09/01/22 10:28 PM.

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