|
Norman Clyde Peak (13,920) |
|||
|
(SPS Trip) Leaders: Dan Richter & Larry Tidball |
|||
|
By Dan Richter |
July 15,16,17, 1994 |
||
|
|
|||
|
Larry and I were joined by Barbara Cohen, Asher Waxman, and Greg and Mirna Roach Friday morning for the leisurely pack up to Finger Lake. This was to be the first E rated restricted trip since the return of the Club’s climbing insurance. It was also my last provisional lead before receiving my E rating as a leader and I had a few butterflies in my stomach. The weather was warm and beautiful and our spirits were high. The climb in was easy and we were at Finger Lake and making camp by lunchtime. We dozed and relaxed for the rest of the day in anticipation of the next day’s climb. |
|||
|
On Saturday we rose at 4:00 a.m. and were climbing toward Fire Bird Ridge by 5:00 a.m. We passed the notch on the ridge on its East side via a squeeze chimney a few yards before the notch. We moved out onto the North Face a little before 8:00 a.m. as the ridge begins to rise toward Norman Clyde at a prominent duck. I tried to stay fairly close to the North Northeast Ridge following as long lines as possible and found many good opportunities to progress. We passed the large slabs led by Mirna via the Lichen Chimney Variation on their left. We were soon at the false summit and reached the top of the peak at 11:55 a.m. A rope was used only once for one of the climbers at the top of The Lichen Chimney for one move. |
|||
|
We had lunch on the summit as we relaxed and enjoyed the spectacular views. On descent we made three 150’ rappels from existing runners which left us below the slabs. I found second class down climbing towards the middle of the face and then an easy traverse had us on Fire Bird Ridge by 4:30 p.m. |
|||
|
We slept in Sunday morning and returned to the cars before noon. Barbara, this one was for you, and you know I love you madly. |
|||
|
© Copyright 1994-2001 Dan Richter |
|||