September 2001 

 

Note:  clicking on any photograph will present a full screen version.
	Climbing up from the glacier.  Here, Griffin climbs up the steep talus that comprises Owen's Chute.  The bottom of the chute lies at about 12,000', and runs about 400 vertical feet until you reach the top of the chute.
	Looking up Owen's Chute.  A view upwards from the lower reaches of the chute.  We angled slightly to the right, sticking to the steep class 2 rocks.
	View towards the southeast.  Looking out over the glacier to the SE, over Volcanic Ridge, Mammoth Mountain and down to the Owens Valley below.
	Above the glacier.  We topped out on the chute at around 12,400', still a good 700' or so from the summit, but well above the Southeast Glacier.  Below me in this photo you can see the large cravasses that guard the Ritter Pinnacles.   (Photo by Griffin Golamco)
	Up to the Summit.  From the top of the chutes, the summit is merely a talus slog, as seen here.  However, it is very deceiving how far and how high up it is to the summit from here.  It looks fairly flat in this photo, but actually the summit is still about 750' vertical above you, over some steep and blocky talus.
	Just below the summit.  Griffin approaches the summit block, climbing over the last steep bit of talus.
	On the summit ridge.  The summit is not terribly exposed, but it is not very roomy either.  As you approach the final ridge, you have to traverse a short section up to the true summit.   Behind Griffin in this photo is the broad summit of San Joaquin Mountain, which separates the Owens River Valley from the middle fork of the San Joaquin River.

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