DSC03359 Photo courtesy Bill Bushnell

Mammoth Trip, 2026

September 11

Climbing



Stella in the crack.



In my limited experience, a crack is just wide enough for a hand or fist. Today's crack was so wide and deep I almost fell in. Often I thrust my arm in up to the shoulder and still couldn't make a solid jam.It was frustrating compared to the other two climbs-- it took a long time and a lot of thrashing to find a secure position from which to make the next move. I stuffed my hip and leg in as needed and somehow wriggled up to the traverse, falling a couple of times. -S.