great solo climb. Got stuck in a hail and lightning storm 10 minutes into the descent. Had to hang out under an overhang for 30 minutes and then got out of there.
Vic Hanson - Apr 2, 2007 4:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2000
Awesome Climb!
What an awesome climb! There were 5 of us that did it as a day hike from Whitney Portal. We went up the skree field from Upper Boy Scout Lake and up the East Arete. The exposure on Russell was a whole new experiance for me. Most of the way up we followed the use path on the North side but coming back I tried to stay as close to the top of the ridge as possible. That is the way to go in my opinion, many spots where you look down on both sides, the views can't beat, the hand holds are great and the exposure is very exciting. We were having a batchelor party for John Thiessen, who is a great friend and who introduced me to climbing.
bcd - Mar 21, 2007 4:48 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2004
Mithril
A cold day on the Mithril Dihedral.
Chuckpeezy1 - Oct 25, 2006 5:56 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2006
wow
Did Muir and Whitney in the same trip. Russell made those seem like a tourist attraction.
forjan - Sep 27, 2006 2:21 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2006
Fishhook Arete
Climbed with MichaelJ. We camped Sunday night at Romain's favorite camping spot (Clyde Meadows) just below Upper Boy Scout Lake. Left camp around 6AM. Got to the base of the route around 8:20AM. We followed the route as in Supertopo. Michael started leading P1 at 8:40AM. I took the easy pitches P2, P4, P5 and P7 while Michael led the "fun" pitches P1, P3, P6 and P8. I took a fall following P8 (last pitch) on that short 5.9 hands section. I did it as a lieback. Minor cut to my right index finger as a result. Michael had left his pack clipped just below the 5.9 hands section for the lead, so I had to follow with 2 packs on. I rushed the lieback and fell. Topped out at 4:20PM (7 hrs 40 min: we're on the slow side). Descended the east ridge back to camp. Got to the Portal at ~ 8:30PM (missed out on the burger & fries....aghhh!).
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Route Climbed: North Ridge
Date Climbed: August 12, 2006
Day 9 of the 2006 Sierra Challenge. Traversed over from Tunnabora Peak. Left Tunnabora's summit at 10:48AM and got to Russell's west summit at 12:18PM. Met up there with other Sierra Challenge people: Evan Rasmussen, Bill Peters, Bob Burd and Adam. Descended the east ridge and headed over to tag Carillon with Evan. Back at the Portal at 4:00PM.
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Route Climbed: East Ridge
Date Climbed: September 14, 2002
Day hiked to the summit of Russell from the Portal. Went with mdostby. We did the Rockwell Variation starting at the western end of Upper Boy Scout Lake and then took the boroad large chute. To get to this chute keep walking west (northwest) 'til you almost hit a rock headwall. Turn right here. Climb ~ 100 ft up and you'll see the very broad large chute. The East Ridge, I think, is mostly class 2, but the exposure is considerable. If you encounter difficulty staying on the ridge, drop down on the right (north) side. Got to the summit at 2:00PM, then descended the South slope towards Clyde's Meadow (just below Upper Boy Scout Lake). The East Ridge was a fun climb!
Wow, best rock ever. Did the route car to car and made it back for beer and burgers back at the store!
Travis_ - Sep 5, 2006 3:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2006
Rockwell variation-east ridge/south face
Great climb. First class 3. Loved the east ridge. Came down the south face, down to iceberg lake and down Whitney's Mountaineering route. Met OldManMike and the way up, joined the summit party and followed them down the south face.
jonhersh - Aug 31, 2006 10:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2004
Route Climbed: Fishhook Arete
Incredible climb. Thanks to my fried Dara for doing everything on lead. I was happy to go along for the ride and clean for him. The route description from Supertopo was great, as are the others we've used so far.
1st couple of pitches were very cold until the sun came around. Still glad we got an early start as we climb pretty slow and just got back to iceberg as it was getting dark.
gluballs - Aug 27, 2006 5:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2006
East Ridge from the Portal
The climb was amazing. Most exposed I've ever been without being roped up. The approach was horrendous though.
derbilly - Aug 17, 2006 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East ridge
9th day of the Sierra Challenge. A nice climb except for the sandy slog up the Rockwell variation.
eggheadsherpa - Aug 16, 2006 5:36 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East Ridge
Climbed with Kevin and mdash all day. We went up the Rockwell Variation (loose scree) and came down the chute by UBSL (very sandy, nice for a descent). I was worried about the exposure all day, and although it was intense for a few moments it really wasn't that bad. Great views of Whitney, Muir, Langley, and Williamson from the summit.
mdash, we couldn't have made it without your maps, thank you!
mdash - Aug 13, 2006 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East Ridge
Thank goodness those 2 nice guys were nearby--I almost went up the wrong chute! Saw some Sierra Challenge folks--lost the trail on the ledges coming back with one of them. But then those 2 nice guys showed up again! Got a bloody palm from a banana-slip fall while running the last bit of the trail. All in all another glorious day in the Sierra. (Except that the East Ridge ate my Garmin eTrex GPS!)
soslaw - Aug 7, 2006 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2006
East Ridge
Good rock above the Russell-Corillion Col. IMO the Rockwell variation is the better ascent route. While still a scree sufferfest there are more opportunities to avoid it. First summit this year without thunder and lighting.
plume - Aug 5, 2006 1:31 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2006
Fish-hook arete
Fine climb indeed. Perfect weather. Left too early. Froze our fingers off until the sun came around the bend. Better to sleep in and have breakfast at Iceberg Lake than alpine start.
Fun day hike from the portal. Thunderheads didn't sway us to abandon the hike but we got caught in hail with lightning all around us on the scree slope down. Pictures and Trip Report
pvalchev - Jul 6, 2006 7:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2006
East Ridge
Solo trip, first time in the Sierra, absolutely gorgeous, with very fun ridge climbing! Tried to stay on the crest the whole way, ton of fun. Brought my approach shoes, left my pack at the base of the ridge, and scrambled up and down pretty quick. Did the Rockwell variation for approach and stuck to rock most of the way... glad I didn't take the normal sand/scree slope up, that thing would be painful! Camping at the lake was great too for a more laid back wilderness experience. The Fishhook Arete looks awesome, need to do that next! The Mithral Dihedral looks amazing too.. drooled over them.
tb00957 - Jun 21, 2006 10:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2005
Robertthethird - Apr 23, 2007 10:06 pm
East Ridgegreat solo climb. Got stuck in a hail and lightning storm 10 minutes into the descent. Had to hang out under an overhang for 30 minutes and then got out of there.
Vic Hanson - Apr 2, 2007 4:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2000
Awesome Climb!What an awesome climb! There were 5 of us that did it as a day hike from Whitney Portal. We went up the skree field from Upper Boy Scout Lake and up the East Arete. The exposure on Russell was a whole new experiance for me. Most of the way up we followed the use path on the North side but coming back I tried to stay as close to the top of the ridge as possible. That is the way to go in my opinion, many spots where you look down on both sides, the views can't beat, the hand holds are great and the exposure is very exciting. We were having a batchelor party for John Thiessen, who is a great friend and who introduced me to climbing.
bcd - Mar 21, 2007 4:48 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2004
MithrilA cold day on the Mithril Dihedral.
Chuckpeezy1 - Oct 25, 2006 5:56 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2006
wowDid Muir and Whitney in the same trip. Russell made those seem like a tourist attraction.
forjan - Sep 27, 2006 2:21 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2006
Fishhook AreteClimbed with MichaelJ. We camped Sunday night at Romain's favorite camping spot (Clyde Meadows) just below Upper Boy Scout Lake. Left camp around 6AM. Got to the base of the route around 8:20AM. We followed the route as in Supertopo. Michael started leading P1 at 8:40AM. I took the easy pitches P2, P4, P5 and P7 while Michael led the "fun" pitches P1, P3, P6 and P8. I took a fall following P8 (last pitch) on that short 5.9 hands section. I did it as a lieback. Minor cut to my right index finger as a result. Michael had left his pack clipped just below the 5.9 hands section for the lead, so I had to follow with 2 packs on. I rushed the lieback and fell. Topped out at 4:20PM (7 hrs 40 min: we're on the slow side). Descended the east ridge back to camp. Got to the Portal at ~ 8:30PM (missed out on the burger & fries....aghhh!).
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Route Climbed: North Ridge
Date Climbed: August 12, 2006
Day 9 of the 2006 Sierra Challenge. Traversed over from Tunnabora Peak. Left Tunnabora's summit at 10:48AM and got to Russell's west summit at 12:18PM. Met up there with other Sierra Challenge people: Evan Rasmussen, Bill Peters, Bob Burd and Adam. Descended the east ridge and headed over to tag Carillon with Evan. Back at the Portal at 4:00PM.
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Route Climbed: East Ridge
Date Climbed: September 14, 2002
Day hiked to the summit of Russell from the Portal. Went with mdostby. We did the Rockwell Variation starting at the western end of Upper Boy Scout Lake and then took the boroad large chute. To get to this chute keep walking west (northwest) 'til you almost hit a rock headwall. Turn right here. Climb ~ 100 ft up and you'll see the very broad large chute. The East Ridge, I think, is mostly class 2, but the exposure is considerable. If you encounter difficulty staying on the ridge, drop down on the right (north) side. Got to the summit at 2:00PM, then descended the South slope towards Clyde's Meadow (just below Upper Boy Scout Lake). The East Ridge was a fun climb!
mdostby - Sep 28, 2006 1:33 am
Re: Fishhook AreteCongrats Miguel.
cagedalpinist - Sep 20, 2006 4:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2006
E Ridge BlastBeautiful weather. E. Ridge was classic views and great skyline climbing. Stayed to climb Whitney next day.
Bob Burd - Sep 15, 2006 4:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
North RidgeClimbed the North Ridge with Miguel Forjan on Day 9 of the Sierra Challenge. Trip Report
travelin_light - Sep 7, 2006 2:48 pm
Mithral Dihedral, Mount RusselWow, best rock ever. Did the route car to car and made it back for beer and burgers back at the store!
Travis_ - Sep 5, 2006 3:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2006
Rockwell variation-east ridge/south faceGreat climb. First class 3. Loved the east ridge. Came down the south face, down to iceberg lake and down Whitney's Mountaineering route. Met OldManMike and the way up, joined the summit party and followed them down the south face.
jonhersh - Aug 31, 2006 10:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2004
Route Climbed: Fishhook AreteIncredible climb. Thanks to my fried Dara for doing everything on lead. I was happy to go along for the ride and clean for him. The route description from Supertopo was great, as are the others we've used so far.
1st couple of pitches were very cold until the sun came around. Still glad we got an early start as we climb pretty slow and just got back to iceberg as it was getting dark.
gluballs - Aug 27, 2006 5:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2006
East Ridge from the PortalThe climb was amazing. Most exposed I've ever been without being roped up. The approach was horrendous though.
derbilly - Aug 17, 2006 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East ridge9th day of the Sierra Challenge. A nice climb except for the sandy slog up the Rockwell variation.
eggheadsherpa - Aug 16, 2006 5:36 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East RidgeClimbed with Kevin and mdash all day. We went up the Rockwell Variation (loose scree) and came down the chute by UBSL (very sandy, nice for a descent). I was worried about the exposure all day, and although it was intense for a few moments it really wasn't that bad. Great views of Whitney, Muir, Langley, and Williamson from the summit.
mdash, we couldn't have made it without your maps, thank you!
mdash - Aug 13, 2006 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East RidgeThank goodness those 2 nice guys were nearby--I almost went up the wrong chute! Saw some Sierra Challenge folks--lost the trail on the ledges coming back with one of them. But then those 2 nice guys showed up again! Got a bloody palm from a banana-slip fall while running the last bit of the trail. All in all another glorious day in the Sierra. (Except that the East Ridge ate my Garmin eTrex GPS!)
soslaw - Aug 7, 2006 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2006
East RidgeGood rock above the Russell-Corillion Col. IMO the Rockwell variation is the better ascent route. While still a scree sufferfest there are more opportunities to avoid it. First summit this year without thunder and lighting.
plume - Aug 5, 2006 1:31 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2006
Fish-hook areteFine climb indeed. Perfect weather. Left too early. Froze our fingers off until the sun came around the bend. Better to sleep in and have breakfast at Iceberg Lake than alpine start.
bechtt - Jul 12, 2006 9:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2006
East RidgeFun day hike from the portal. Thunderheads didn't sway us to abandon the hike but we got caught in hail with lightning all around us on the scree slope down. Pictures and Trip Report
pvalchev - Jul 6, 2006 7:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2006
East RidgeSolo trip, first time in the Sierra, absolutely gorgeous, with very fun ridge climbing! Tried to stay on the crest the whole way, ton of fun. Brought my approach shoes, left my pack at the base of the ridge, and scrambled up and down pretty quick. Did the Rockwell variation for approach and stuck to rock most of the way... glad I didn't take the normal sand/scree slope up, that thing would be painful! Camping at the lake was great too for a more laid back wilderness experience. The Fishhook Arete looks awesome, need to do that next! The Mithral Dihedral looks amazing too.. drooled over them.
tb00957 - Jun 21, 2006 10:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2005
East ridgeFun route. No rope needed. Free of snow.