I discovered a nasty 60 foot headwall shrouding the pass between Quemado basin and Trampas lakes while traversing from the Sheepshead to North Truchas, about 300 feet below the North Truchas summit. There's a few 5th class moves that didn't feel safe in ski boots, so I'll be heading back this summer to sort it out.
If I had seen the present description of the headwall, I might have not tried to climb North Truchas. Fortunately, last year the description was less intimidating, and so we went (what a great hike!). The headwall indeed poses some problem. We found a way following a short steep but entirely safe chimney, followed by a short less steep chimney going left, and from there it was a piece of cake. One should indeed warn people about the headwall, but people with minimal ability should not be scared. I am NOT a rock climber.
Bezoar Goat - Mar 1, 2011 12:45 pm - Voted 9/10
basin traverseI discovered a nasty 60 foot headwall shrouding the pass between Quemado basin and Trampas lakes while traversing from the Sheepshead to North Truchas, about 300 feet below the North Truchas summit. There's a few 5th class moves that didn't feel safe in ski boots, so I'll be heading back this summer to sort it out.
jrosay - Sep 6, 2011 5:05 pm - Hasn't voted
the headwallIf I had seen the present description of the headwall, I might have not tried to climb North Truchas. Fortunately, last year the description was less intimidating, and so we went (what a great hike!). The headwall indeed poses some problem. We found a way following a short steep but entirely safe chimney, followed by a short less steep chimney going left, and from there it was a piece of cake. One should indeed warn people about the headwall, but people with minimal ability should not be scared. I am NOT a rock climber.