Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The Maroon Bells and Sleeping Sexton as seen from the trail to Crater Lake.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The Maroon Bells and Sleeping Sexton as seen from the trail to Crater Lake.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Another shot of the Bells during unsettled weather on the hike in.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Another shot of the Bells during unsettled weather on the hike in.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The Bells and Sleeping Sexton as seen from low on Pyramid's west face.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The Bells and Sleeping Sexton as seen from low on Pyramid's west face.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The west face is baked and windblown; a grunge lovers dream.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The west face is baked and windblown; a grunge lovers dream.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Mmmmmm... just look at all that loose talus.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Mmmmmm... just look at all that loose talus.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
We intersect Pyramid's northwest ridge at 12,700 feet and John leads the way. Last winter he made it to within just a few hundred feet of the summit and ran out of time.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
We intersect Pyramid's northwest ridge at 12,700 feet and John leads the way. Last winter he made it to within just a few hundred feet of the summit and ran out of time.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John & Kiefer traverse the ridge's south side. We're heading for that gully left of center. Looks very non-spooky today; just a standard pile of choss.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John & Kiefer traverse the ridge's south side. We're heading for that gully left of center. Looks very non-spooky today; just a standard pile of choss.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Starting up the gully.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Starting up the gully.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
We all pick our own way up the gully and try not to kill each other with rocks.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
We all pick our own way up the gully and try not to kill each other with rocks.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Kiefer & John inspect the 4th class headwall at the keyhole (which is at the top of the gully).
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Kiefer & John inspect the 4th class headwall at the keyhole (which is at the top of the gully).
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The wall is fairly dry but its very steep and loose with some nasty exposure.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The wall is fairly dry but its very steep and loose with some nasty exposure.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic carefully scrambles up, taking our rope with him.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic carefully scrambles up, taking our rope with him.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic & Dwight at the top of the 4th class pitch.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic & Dwight at the top of the 4th class pitch.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
One happy mountaineer topping out after the tough scramble.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
One happy mountaineer topping out after the tough scramble.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John negotiating the crux. Pyramid's daunting north face can be seen in the background.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John negotiating the crux. Pyramid's daunting north face can be seen in the background.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The terrain is complex and I'm glad John knows where he's going!
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
The terrain is complex and I'm glad John knows where he's going!
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Kiefer executing a short snow traverse.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Kiefer executing a short snow traverse.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dwight approaching a tricky spot.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dwight approaching a tricky spot.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
A loose little climb not quite warranting the use of a rope.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
A loose little climb not quite warranting the use of a rope.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Summit bound!
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Summit bound!
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John's the first one to top out.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John's the first one to top out.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic on the summit ridge.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic on the summit ridge.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic & Kiefer approach the summit.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dominic & Kiefer approach the summit.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dwight leads the initial descent.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dwight leads the initial descent.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Thunder Pyramid as seen from Pyramid's summit ridge.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Thunder Pyramid as seen from Pyramid's summit ridge.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
We all rappelled the 4th class crux using a piece of webbing John installed last year!
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
We all rappelled the 4th class crux using a piece of webbing John installed last year!
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John & Dwight descending the gully.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John & Dwight descending the gully.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John, Dominic & Dwight chat at 12,700 feet on the northwest ridge. This is our exit point onto the west face (left). The more standard way to approach the northwest ridge is from the amphitheater on the opposite side of this saddle (right). In winter the longer west face is approach is highly favorable given its aspect.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
John, Dominic & Dwight chat at 12,700 feet on the northwest ridge. This is our exit point onto the west face (left). The more standard way to approach the northwest ridge is from the amphitheater on the opposite side of this saddle (right). In winter the longer west face is approach is highly favorable given its aspect.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Its a pure joy of a day.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Its a pure joy of a day.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Descending the west face.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
Descending the west face.
Pyramid Peak Winter Ascent
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
View up West Maroon Creek.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
View up West Maroon Creek.
Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012
THE classic Maroon Bells shot is hard to resist in any season. In winter the toll for this view its a 6+ mile walk, ski, or sled ride. We've still got nearly 2 miles to go to reach camp at Crater Lake.