June 2003

 

The Summit Climbing up the chute was exhausting but quite exhilarating.  This was Mike and Greg's first real couloir climb, and Mike's first time ever using axe and crampons.  They kicked ass up the chute and pretty soon we were at the top of the snow.  The top 150 feet of the couloir was melted out, requiring us to climb first over loose rock, then larger more stable talus before we emerged onto the summit plateau.  I would not recommend this route later in the season when the snowmelt would reveal the hazards underneath.  I also would not climb this route with a party larger than four.  The guys in the lead were unavoidably kicking rocks off with every step. The views from the summit plateau were among the best I've ever seen.  Views across the LeConte Canyon towards Black Giant and the Ragged Spur, a great view of the Palisades, and distant views of Kings Canyon and the entire southern Sierra range.  We spent about 45 minutes on top, soaking in the views and taking loads of photos. Note:  clicking on any photograph will present a full screen version.
	Almost There.  Mike and Greg continue slogging up the couloir, nearing the end of the snowline.
	On the Summit Plateau.  Topping out onto the summit plateau affords an absolutely spectacular view of the southern half of the Sierra Nevada.  The rest of the route to the top is a straightforward walk, with a semi-exposed move to get up on top of the actual summit block.
	Lunch Time.  Griffin below the summit block, looking tired and hungry.  We chilled for about 45 minutes and ate lunch.  (photo:  M.Berg)
	The True Summit.  There's a sketchy little move to get onto the uppermost summit block.  Here's Greg and me on the summit, with Mount Goddard in the background at right  (photo:  M.Berg).
	On Top of Point Powell.  Greg, Mike and I on top of Point Powell.  The flat-topped summit of Mount Thompson and the Thompson Ridge is behind us. (photo:  G.Golamco)
	Happy Dudes.  Another summit shot from Point Powell.  The Palisades group can be seen directly above my extended thumb.
	Mount Darwin.  "The Monarch of the Evolution Region" stands tall and impressive when seen from Powell.  This one is next on my list, probably for a spring ski descent of its north face.
	The Palisades.  The grandeur and steepness of the Palisades group is evident when seen from this angle.  North Palisade (center right) seems to drop straight down thousands of feet to the Palisade Basin.  Pointy Mount Sill pokes its head up in the middle of the photo.   (If you want to see all of the named peaks from the top of Point Powell, there are some cool annotated summit panoramas on the last page of this feature)

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