Bishop
The American Alpine Club's International Climbers Meet was my first ever climbing trip that involved air travel. The trip was supposed to be to Yosemite, but some adjustments had to me made thanks to the fact that the US government shut itself and all the National Parks down two days before flying out. Any normal group of people probably would have cancelled their plans, but not a crew of climbers! Carol, who led the trip, did an incredible job of setting up an entirely different vacation to a world class climbing spot for 50 people, all with just a few days notice. And when the AAC hosts trips, they do it in style: catered meals, beer on tap, transportation provided, professional photographers. Not something easy to reschedule, but somehow she made it work! The trip was incredible, I got on some really great climbs, and met tons of friends who I still climb with.
After rescheduling from Yosemite, we went to Pine Creek Canyon outside of Bishop. We had approval to camp there, but the reach of the shutdown grew, which meant we had to leave. The officials who had to ask us to leave were really cool about it though, and even helped find a spot nearby where we could all camp. In the end we stayed at the Buttermilks bouldering area, one of the premier bouldering spots in the world.
My first climb was with a group of 5 other guys, and we simply went straight up the mountain right near our campsite. The climbing ranged from 3rd class to about 5.7, and we got some 15 pitches up before we decided it was time to come back down for beer.
We did another climb in Pine Creek Canyon, and got caught in a snowstorm about 5 pitches up.
A little snow is nothing to get upset about! By the time we rapped it was raining, and later that day we were swimming in hot springs nearby!
AAC glamping.
Driving to Alabama Hills, with Mt. Whitney in the background.
Climbing in Alabama Hills.
Watching Reel Rock projected on the side of a van!
Along with Will, a doctor who had just returned from the South Pole, we climbed the Beckey Route of El Segundo buttress. This 5.9 route was my first grade III, and included a 25' 5.7 runnout, at the time my scariest lead! The views from the top were incredible.
Looking down from the Beckey Route.
On one of our last days we returned to climb at Pine Creek Canyon. Here, Paul follows on Shiela, a 5.10a that was a full 70m.
