Rosy Finch Peak

Where: Sierra Nevada, California
When: August 2009
Partners: Harlan Stockman

Little Lakes Valley
I'd read that the north ridge of Rosy Finch Peak was a "fine class 4 route" to a sweet, little mountain. I recruited Harlan, and off we went.
Heading up Rosy Finch's steep lower north ridge
On the summit
The register
Views on the descent
Good scrambling on the descent
Good times!
Photos courtesy of Harlan WS

Bear Creek Spire (13,713 Feet)

Where: Sierra Nevada, California
When: June 2005
Partners: Mark Beauchamp
Route: Ulrichs Route (Class 4)

Bear Creek Spire from the north
Mark Beauchamp and I made the enjoyable climb up Bear Creek Spire one morning after slogging up the steep and snowy Ulrichs Route in June of a heavy snow year. Walking across a frozen Dade Lake on the way to the summit, a few fun class 3-4 moves up steep cracks above the upper snowfields led to the final, exposed summit block. A quick class 4 move put us on the top!
Looking north from just below the summit
West to Mount Gabb, Mount Dade & Pipsqueak Spire on the descent
TOPO

Photos courtesy of Rick Kent

Pipsqueak Spire & Mount Dade via Hourglass Couloir

Where: Sierra Nevada, California
When: July 2006
Partners: Rick Kent
Route: Hourglass Couloir (Class 2-3 w/5.4 Summit Block on Pipsqueak Spire)

Heading up the Hourglass Couloir
Over the last few years, I've made a few trips to the Rock Creek area of the Sierra Nevada. It's a beautiful area of high mountains with easy access to charming lakes and stunning routes.

After previous climbs of Bear Creek Spire, Mount Starr and Lookout Peak, I was itching to explore the area a bit more. Rick Kent and I got together in summer 2006 for a combination climb of Pipsqueak Spire and Mount Dade via the Hourglass Couloir.
On the summit of Pipsqueak Spire
As it turned out, the climb was fantastic. Pipsqueak Spire has a stunning summit block rather reminiscent of the 'Milk Bottle' on Starlight Peak. From there, we traversed over to Mount Dade, a huge but simple endeavor with great views of the entire region, not the least of which was nearby Mount Gabb.

Rick and I talked about traversing over to Mount Gabb next, as it was still early in the day, however, there was a considerable drop between the two peaks that would have to be again on the return. Not only that, but we were uncertain of the route, and, well, I wished Rick well and headed down.
Frozen lakes!
Heading back down the Hourglass Couloir, I made good time back to my vehicle. I learned a day or two later that Rick had returned shortly after me, having given up on the attempt at Mount Gabb after dropping only a few hundred feet down the backside of Mount Dade.
On the summit of Mount Dade
TOPO

*Photos courtesy of Rick Kent