Friday, Feb 19

I was overloaded at work, so I had asked Tom to put together an itinerary, which he dutifully and energetically did. However, I didn't put much energy into reviewing it, and this caused a problem when I failed to notice that I was supposed to be in Boise Thursday night. When I was over an hour late for dinner, Tom called to see if I was okay.

So on Friday evening, I arrived at Tom's house, very embarrassed. He generously forgave me for being a blockhead. I even got one of Laurie's most excellent dinners!

Saturday, Feb 20

On Saturday we were off for Nevada at 7am. We got to the turnoff to Mount Jackson at about 5pm (Pacific).

We set up camp in the setting sun, anxious for our week of climbing to begin.

That night it got down to around 20°, judged by my need to completely shut down the hood of my sleeping bag. Brrr. It was probably warmer in McCall!

Sunday, Feb 21

Today's three climbs were all near the end of a west-running valley about 35 miles north of Beatty, Nevada.

Mount Jackson, 6412'

• RT: Class 3, 2.5 miles, 1131' gain, 2:45 hours car-to-car

So we were off across the slopes.

A bit above the rock band, and the angle eases back. We could see above us where the sun was warming the rocks.

Finally in the sun, and the view across the summit plain.

On the summit with our new climbing partner.

On the way down through the rock band, Tom was below me when I pulled a rock off. In an attempt to keep it from flying down slope, I let it hit me in the stomach. Then it whacked me in the shin. Both impacts drew blood. I must be getting rusty (or old).

Then about here, I rolled a rock underfoot and landed in a heap, my knee on a rock and my arm in a cacti. More blood. And now, stickers embedded. What a way to start our trip!

After that last one, I was a bit light-headed. I hobbled a bit, then got my legs back and made it back to the car without any more klutzy moves.

Mount Dunfee, 7030'

• RT: Class 2, 3.9 miles, 1279' gain, 2:30 hours car-to-car

This peak looked gorgeous from the valley, and also from Mount Jackson. But from the trailhead, and we were pretty sure we had nailed it, not so much. But let's start hiking up there and see what we can see. Besides, the GPS is showing a highpoint....

Is that it up there?

The Joshua trees add a nice splash of green.

From the vantage point of highpoint #3, and with the wisdom gained from summiting all three, we can say that #2 is our winner, being 10 feet higher than the point from which this photo was shot. But it took a lot of work to say we had tagged the actual summit.

Time to head down. But which way?

A brief discussion ensued. Then we successfully dropped off #3 and wandered across the desert back to the car.

Peak 6413, 6413'

• RT: Class 2, 1.3 miles, 586' gain, 1:10 hours car-to-car

A short drive, with only a few back-and-forth sorties to find the correct road, brought us to the base of our third peak of the day.

And two tired old farts on top, grinning. Life is good.

Time to head down, drive another bit to Beatty, and get a room at the same cheap hotel as last year.

Monday, Feb 22

Today's five climbs were mostly around Rhyolite, an old ghost town just west of Beatty.

Sawtooth Mountain, 6005'

RT: Class 2, 1.7 miles, 996' gain, 2:00 hours car-to-car (includes West Sawtooth)

This peak sits right behind one of the many radar stations in the area. The guidebook described a 20' crack climb, Class 4. It also mysteriously mentioned that there might be an easier way. Neither of us felt like downclimbing Class 4, so we were somewhat preoccupied. So no approach pic. This is from a later day, from a long ways away.

Follow the ledge up and around the corner until you find another ledge leading up in the opposite direction, sort of south-west. This ledge will take you all the way to the summit.

This is Tom showing the way back DOWN the final ledge.

West Sawtooth Peak, 5940'

When we got back to the saddle, the wind was howling. However, we saw a possible route, and it was on the lee side of the ridge.

Hmmm.... I wonder what that summit block will be like?

But first, we had to cross the saddle while trying not to join the jet stream, then clamber up this very loose hillside. It was rolly rocks on unstable bedrock, with a 35mph crosswind to help with your balance.

If you are paying attention, that's Sawtooth in the background.

Bullfrog Mountain, 4940'

• RT: Class 2, 1.9 miles, 698' gain, 1:15 hours car-to-car

Another short drive across the desert brought us to the base of Bullfrog Mountain. This looked like a simple ridge walk, although the ridge ran perpendicular to the prevailing, and very strong, wind.

From the summit, we got more of the same.

We were having a blast, the weather, although windy, was perfect, and it was still early in the day. We went over the list of nearby fish as we tacked back to the car.

Burton Mountain, 4381'

• RT: Class 2, 1.4 miles, 550' gain, 0:50 hours car-to-car

We hadn't really been planning on climbing Burton. We were heading for Black Peak and another one. But in the maze of unmarked roads and depending on bad GPS maps, and also choosing peaks on a fickle desire to climb the ones that were coolest looking, this is where we ended up.

Like with many of the peaks here, the geology makes the route interesting in many ways. What is all this rocky stuff, why is it that color/texture, and why is it making me go around/over/through?

And if that isn't interesting enough, there is the plant life. What are those strange things, and why are they sticking in my pants/socks/fingers (or butt, if you were unlucky enough to have chosen to sit on one)?

Burton overlooks Beatty.

From some of the other nearby peaks, you can see that Burton also has a big 'B' on it that faces Beatty. Not because it's Burton, though.

Okay, that's four peaks today. But we weren't quite through.

Velvet Peak, 3918'

• RT: Class 3, 0.9 miles, 444' gain, 0:39 hours car-to-car

You can see Velvet Peak from the top of Burton.

Bob Burd, a peak-bagger of some acclaim, did this one in 15 minutes. But it's a really cool looking peak, so we wanted to go after it, too.

You can also see it from the top of Beatty Peak.

In fact, you can see it really well from the highway where we parked.

Note the long shadows. They were inverse of our energy levels.

And again, a view of Beatty.

And yes, the wind was still blowing.

Tuesday, Feb 23

Today's four climbs were three up a Fluorspar Canyon just east of Beatty, plus one high above Death Valley.

Mieklejohn Peak, 5940'

• RT: Class 2, 1.3 miles, 999' gain, 1:45 hours car-to-car

There are a host of peaks in this area, and we were thinking about Razorback Ridge and Bare Peak (a P2K). But then the reality of the terrain showed what the topos didn't. This wasn't even a peak, but it seemed to be barring our way. And the topo showed a big drop on the backside.

Peak 5051 "Red Peak"

• RT: Class 2, 1.1 miles, 506' gain, 0:55 hours car-to-car

From the top of Mieklejohn, we spotted this huge open pit. This pic is from closer, on our drive.

Nevada is full of mine pits, but this was a big one, and apparently abandoned in this state. We discussed the Mining Act as we tried to figure out the roads to get around the pit and start our climb of what we had dubbed Red Mountain.

It was a straightforward ridge walk without any drama, so needs no story. Great views, standard.

Tom's hat, purchased yesterday and gone tomorrow, has stories behind it, but you'll have to ask Tom.

Beatty Peak, 4282'

• RT: Class 2, 1.3 miles, 614' gain, 1:00 hours car-to-car

From Beatty, Beatty Peak is easy to see. From our approach, it's not quite so impressive. But the proximity to town makes it cool to climb.

The summit affords another view of Beatty.

Also note that from here you can see the aforementioned 'B' on Burton Peak.

Okay, time to go camping. We gassed up and hit the long, slow road to the ancient ghost town of Chloride City (which was possibly closed, according to the most ambiguous National Park sign ever, placed inside the closed area...we're still not clear- and it was too sun-bleached to be worth a photo to show you).

Peak 4860

• RT: Class 2, 3.4 miles, 733' gain, 1:15 hours car-to-car

On Beatty Peak, I had downed an ancient bottle of 5-hour Energy that was in my pack. In Chloride City, I simply couldn't sit still. Tom relaxed as I took off into the sunset, looking for the high point on this ridge.

I was watching the clock and calculating my ability to get back without a headlamp (I was packing, but didn't want to have to use it). Now, where the heck is the highpoint?

I had to run all the way to the end to finally determine with the GPS that the highpoint was NOT at the end. sigh.

But looking down the over 4000' elevation drop to the floor of Death Valley was spectacular.

Unfortunately, by the time I got all the way out there, the sharp shadows on the dunes had faded. I guess that's the thing about sunset pictures- you have to be there at sunset, not 15 minutes after.

Wednesday, Feb 24

After a peak accessible by motor vehicles, we go rogue and keep adding peaks as we wander farther from our rig. With a total of six peaks, a long day off trail.

Chloride Cliff, 5260'

• RT: Class 2, 9.5 miles, 2030' gain, 5:45 hours car-to-car (includes four peaks)

Again, there are mines and holes all over the place here. We inadvertently parked right next to this hole, a hole without a visible bottom. Like the other holes, it had been sealed up.

Boundary Benchmark, 5464'

• continuation of previous climb

The canyon was deep, so we instead ran around it's head. On the way, we found a passable trail that allowed us partial passage. That white area at the left end of the ridge marks Chloride Cliff. We were parked just to the left of the right-hand hump.

Is that it? Nope.

Is that it? Nope.

Peak 5350, 5350'

• continuation of previous climb

We then set our sights on the next peak south. Of course, that meant we had to do another end-run around another canyon. And Murphy's New Climbing Law was still in force.

Here's the western (far) end of our new canyon. Long way, friend.

Also note the cairn. We found cairns all over the place. We assume they are claim markers of some sort. We looked, but found no little film canisters.

All that with Death Valley right next door.

This is looking down at Furnace Creek and Badwater, while looking up at Telescope Peak for Dave.

Peak 5140, 5140'

• continuation of previous climb

As long as we've come all the way out here, we might as will tag that peak that absolutely looked too far from the car, right?

The desert does funny things to your depth perception, so this didn't look all that far off....

Okay. Okay. That's enough.

Now, where's that car. Oh, over by that little white bump way in the right background.

We eventually made it back to the car. After digging through the cooler, it was time for some heinous 4wd back to the canyon below Chloride City. And then for some reason, we decided one more might be good.

Peak 4900, 4900'

• RT: Class 2, 3.9 miles, 1301' gain, 1:30 hours car-to-car (includes Peak 5020)

This didn't look tough, especially considering how long we had walked to get to the last couple peaks.

Five peaks today. Lots of miles. Felt good.

But dang, that peak in the background looks cool!

Peak 5020

Tom agreed, but applied what most people would call common sense.

Me, I was off to the races!

From the summit, looking back at our previous peak.

Thursday, Feb 25

Today's five climbs were all adjacent to the Titus Canyon Road.

Pot Peak, 5252'

• RT: Class 2, 2.3 miles, 860' gain, 1:45 hours car-to-car

Again with the sagebrush and cacti.

We followed a long, twisting ridge with a few intermediary bumps.

That's Corkscrew Peak in the background.

Too bad the weather wasn't better.

That's Sawtooth Peak off in the distance.

Block Peak, 5940'

• RT: Class 2, 1.3 miles, 854' gain, 1:20 hours car-to-car

If long, sage-covered ridges are boring you, my apologies. For us, each was different. We were having a ball figuring it all out: up center, swing right, then follow around to the left.

Titanothere Point, 5380'

• RT: Class 2, 0.8 miles, 442' gain, 0:42 hours car-to-car

Anyone got a guess as to the etymology? Yeah, I had to look that one up, too. But for now, let's climb it. All steep and shiny.

Peak 5260, 5260'

• RT: Class 2, 1.4 miles, 486' gain, 0:45 hours car-to-car

At this point in the canyon, the hard part if finding a place to park on the narrow Titus Canyon road. So we had a bit of extra walking to get to this one.

This peak had a fascinating combination of slate and marble.

There was a ton of slate in lots of colors. I felt bad that I was crunching it under my boots.

Red Pass Peak, 5860'

• RT: Class 4, 0.6 miles, 556' gain, 0:41 hours car-to-car

If you are tired of sagebrush hikes, this will fix that.

We had no beta for the route. So I followed my nose, which took me up this heinously steep and loose hillside.

Often on all fours. Sand on slabs. Loose boulders. And the occasional dropoff. Yum.

On the way back down, I was able to follow the climber's trail. It was much, much easier but still required some care.

There's the rig.

Friday, Feb 26

After descending Titus Canyon Road, we camped at Montgomery Springs. The next morning we tagged two peaks on the return to Beatty. Followed by one peak near Tonopah.

But first, the vaunted Sooper Bloom.

The Loner, 5252'

• RT (including second peak: Class 2, 2.8 miles, 1385' gain, 2:35 hours car-to-car

Again with the sagebrush and cacti. Again.

But Hah! Which one is the summit?

Tom having summit fun.

And there's Boundary Monument in the background.

Boundary Monument, 5064'

• continuation of previous climb

It was still early in the morning and we were still moving pretty well, but I think we were both getting tired. I was wondering where the top was... 'cuz that's not it!

And looking the other way, there's the top.

At least I think so....

And then we tagged the top.

Ready to jump in the rig and head north.

Mount Butler, 7185'

• RT: Class 3, 2.3 miles, 604' gain, 1:15 hours car-to-car

But we weren't done yet. After some gasoline, Subway, and a couple hours behind the wheel, we made it to Tonopah.

What's that cool looking thing?

Saturday, Feb 27

This one peak was a travel break between Winnemucca and Boise.

Blue Mountain, 7435'

• RT: Class 2, 4.6 miles, 1806' gain, 1:45 hours car-to-car

You can see Blue Mountain from a long way away. This is from about 20 miles south.

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