DSC03273 Photo courtesy Bill Bushnell

Mammoth Trip, 2026

September 11

Climbing



Cara belays Jo who is readjusting the anchor she had set up for our first route.

Watching Jo reclimb the route on top-rope was a joy! I wish I had taken a video. She floated up the face, and inspired me to try to emulate her. (Of course, I failed at that).


The approach from the small cubby we squeezed the cars into up to the base of the routes, a scramble through talus and embedded boulders on an established path up the mountain, took us nearly an hour but was in all easier than I anticipated. I also felt fresher and fitter this morning despite the bad sleep, owing probably less to acclimatization than to the lower altitude. -F.