Journeys: SEND IT - July 26th - Yosemite National Park, CA

What better way to follow up a classic day yesterday with another classic day today! Our goal was the Regular Route on the Fairview Dome not much further down the road from trailhead to Cathedral Peak. The Supertopo guidebook states that the climb is extremely popular and that you either need to arrive extremely early in the day to avoid the crowds or to simply wait in line. We waited in line. At the base of the climb, which was still skirted with snow pack, we came up behind a party of two on the first pitch and a party of three waiting to get on. We flaked the rope and waited. Before too long the party of three ahead of us were on their way up the first pitch. The two followers simul-climbed and were soon far enough off the ground for Matt to start his lead. The first pitch is the crux pitch. It is rated at 5.9, which accounts for a 10 foot section about halfway up the pitch. To top it off the crux section was wet with a wide path of barely running water.

Matt leading the first pitch.
Photograph by Chuck Bolte.

We all survived the slippery crack moves and were pleasantly seated on the first belay ledge waiting. The group of two above the party of three above us was moving slowly through the second pitch. The party of three ahead of us moved up 30 feet to a large ledge to give us more room at the belay. And we all waited...and waited...and waited. Finally after a weird series of questionable on/off belay commands the follower of the group of to set off from the bottom of the second pitch. Then the party of three ahead of us moved on and we were moving again. That was the last hang up of the climb. Above the second pitch the climbing eases and things move quickly. The second pitch was a blast. After the interim ledge 30 feet above the belay the pitch goes to a sustained 5.7 lie back hand crack. It was extremely enjoyable and was the highlight of the climb. At the top of the second pitch, the groups ahead of us were moving quickly and the traffic jam was over.

Beth Ann somewhere on the route.
Photograph by Chuck Bolte.

We enjoyed easy climbing for three more pitches before switching to a completely simul-climb system to the top with Matt on lead, Beth Ann tied in at the mid-point of the rope, and me at the dull end. We scrambled up the top few hundred feet and were soon standing on top of Fairview Dome providing a vista into all party of Tuolumne Meadows. Gorgeous.

Cathedral Peak and Eichorn Pinnacle (right of frame) from Fairview Dome.
Photograph by Chuck Bolte.

Trying way too hard.
Photograph by Matt.

Satisfied.
Photograph by Chuck Bolte.

We walked off the slabby 3rd class side of the dome and after a short hike were back at the truck. We made a special stop at the Tioga Pass Resort cafe for sandwiches and pie before heading back down to our camp at the Mobil. There we saw Matt off on his quest to climb Red Dihedral on the Incredible Hulk over the next two days. Tomorrow we will become tourists and finally drive into Yosemite Valley to take all the epic pictures that we can.