Bear Creek Spire Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 140
Dave Daly

Dave Daly - Sep 6, 2005 12:29 pm

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: Sept 4 2005  Sucess!

Exciting alpine climbing with my life partner Deb. The crux? Getting back to base camp at Dade Lake : P Seriously, I felt the highlights of the route was the 1st pitch '5.8 handcrack' (nice expanding flake near the bottom.....a bit spooky!). Pitch 5 was a bit demanding ("5.8 off-width"). We found out later after the trip that we did a variation to the right of the original route, that went 5.10. No wonder I was sucking "O's". I think we're done for awhile doing north facing routes. Nearly froze our butts off....minimal sun. All in all, a Sierra classic!

Desert Solitaire

Desert Solitaire - Sep 5, 2005 5:10 pm

Route Climbed: Cox Col Date Climbed: August 28, 2005  Sucess!

Great climb w/ Jennie and Ed. Summit block was the most exciting feature of the weekend, and it was fun solving the problem all around the block. The backside seemed very doable, but we ended up surmounting it via the ledge and awkward mantle. Some fun 4th class downclimbing near the summit area. Thanks to my partners for the great company and fun climb!

uwjennie

uwjennie - Aug 29, 2005 2:00 am

Route Climbed: Ulrichs Route Date Climbed: 8/28/05  Sucess!

Dayhike with Ed C. and Jeff D. Following our two day trip to Ritter and Banner, this seemed like a long Sunday. Great weather, lots of folks on the peak.

Eric Tipton - Aug 24, 2005 12:07 am

Route Climbed: "Direct South Face" IV 5.9 Date Climbed: August 21 2005  Sucess!

Kenn Kenega and I Did this route from a camp just above Dade Lk. It took us about 2 hours to hike up Peppermint Pass and over Spire col and hike up to the far western end of the south face. With only a sentence for a description we had a little trouble finding the route. West of the "British Chimneys" we started up Dirty slabs for about 500' in elevation until we finaly hit the cornor system and roped up. We did 6 pitches of moderate climbing and gained the anchors below the summit of Bear Creek Spire. We were off the summit by 1:30 pm. Except for 1 move on the first pitch of the dihedral section and maybe 1 short dihedral section the climb was 5.7 or 8, the rock quality was pretty grainy but I"m sure it would clean up if more people did the route, it did fiish right at the summit. All in all it was a good adventure , but I did expect a little more of the climb. If you go this way don"t pass up the Rowell route on the south face it looked AWESOME.

GlennG

GlennG - Aug 8, 2005 2:17 am

Route Climbed: Ulrichs Route Date Climbed: August 5th, 2005  Sucess!

On the way back from Hilgard the clouds cleared enough for Rick and I to tag the summit. Really enjoyed the short class 4 near the summit.

pdank

pdank - Aug 2, 2005 4:00 am

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: July 31st, 2005  Sucess!

"You know, I'm usually fairly lenient with people. But since you guys weren't honest with me, I'm gonna have to turn you around."



~ Forest Service Ranger



Well, I paid my taxes, drove all the way over here, everything is packed and I'm all fired up for the sharp end again...do you realize what you're asking me to do? Good thing for that "alternate" hiking trail just 200 yards back...and next time just keep doing your trail maintenance thing...i'll keep paying my taxes, leaving no trace, and baggin' peaks!



awagher

awagher - Aug 1, 2005 2:51 am

Route Climbed: North East Ridge Date Climbed: July 31st, 2005  Sucess!

Great climb. Looking at the route descriptions here on SP I guess we did a variation. We stayed closer to the top of the ridge and crossed over to the west (?) side of the ridge and met up with what looks like the Ulrich route and climbed a chimney up to just below the summit block. Summit block is rather easy step up and super nice views all around. 3hrs from Dade lake to summit. Nice exposed class whatever climbing. Fun summit. Climbed with Miguel Forjan and Mark Ingram. Awesom views. Here are some pics...

DeeDee - Jul 26, 2005 10:32 pm

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: August 11, 2002  Sucess!

Great route.

rdesota

rdesota - Jul 21, 2005 6:32 pm

Route Climbed: NE Ridge Date Climbed: September 15, 2004  Sucess!

Great route, fairly easy but very nice views. Beautiful weather, not a cloud in the sky!

aleasure - Jul 14, 2005 4:08 pm

Route Climbed: North Arete:III 5.8 Date Climbed: July 16, 2004  Sucess!

A fun fairly easy route. Almost slept in, but made it with a kick in the butt from my partner. Polemonium in bloom on the route. Lots of flowers going off on the approach.

Matt Worster

Matt Worster - Jul 11, 2005 10:18 am

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: 9 July 2005  Sucess!

Climbed with Oaklander. Another day, another 17 hour outing. Worth every minute! Highly recommend the north arete.

oaklander

oaklander - Jul 10, 2005 9:28 pm

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: July 9, 2005  Sucess!

Did the north arete in a very long day...beautiful weather all day (we saw both the sunrise and sunset...) fun route. "crux" pitch seemed easier than 5.8, while the second pitch felt harder than 5.7 ...oh well ,ratings are just a guide anyway

Completebum

Completebum - Jul 4, 2005 3:02 pm

Route Climbed: Ulrich's Date Climbed: July 3, 2005  Sucess!

Great way to start the day. The snow to Cox col was excellant, the suncups by Treasure Lakes were another stroy, and the route above was solid. Couldn't find the register but did get a good shot of my feet hanging over the south face.

cp0915

cp0915 - Jun 20, 2005 1:03 pm

Route Climbed: Ulrichs Route Date Climbed: June 18, 2005

Lots of snow past Long Lake. Treasure Lakes were still frozen. Walked right across what I assume was Dade Lake.

The snow slopes above Dade Lake on the way to Cox Col were in excellent shape and got particularly steep just below the col. From the col, it was an easy scramble to the base of the headwall. Looked for the portion of the headwall shown in Bob Burd's route photo but couldn't ID it. My partner and I scrambled up some off-width cracks/narrow chimneys immediately below the summit crag and soon found ourselves at the summit register in the notch below the highest point. From there, a couple of easy but exposed moves landed me on the highpoint.

The extremely high winds that were forecast turned out to be a bit wimpier, gladly, than predicted.

Beautiful weather...a great time!

Misha

Misha - Jun 13, 2005 9:25 am

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: June 11, 2005  Sucess!

What an awesome route and a beautiful area! Climbed with Pavel on a glorious day. We belayed for the first five pitches and simuled the rest. Pavel did a masterful job leading the crux pitch (flakes on the right side of the OW). Several moves felt like pretty solid 5.8. It took us about 5 hours from the toe of the arete to the summit. Turns out we were the first party to do the route this year and the second party on the summit. Need to do the East Ridge next year!!

Steve Mackay - May 18, 2005 1:43 pm

Route Climbed: Northeast Face/West Face variation Date Climbed: August 1977  Sucess!

Ullrichs was a devious man! We looked, but never did find a 3rd-class route to the top. After climbing the NE Face we traversed along the ridge north of the summit, then descended to the foot of the Ullrichs/Cox Col route. Climbed the headwall via a nifty 5.6 crack. Awesome views and great climbing! On the way down, we bivvied (planned), rescued two unequipped climbers (unplanned), survived an all-night thunderstorm that dropped 3 inches of hail, then awoke to a wonderful cloudscape of all conceivable colors as the rising sun lit up the peaks and the remains of the storm. What a grand experience!

Steve Larson

Steve Larson - Nov 5, 2004 9:18 pm

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: August 29, 2004  Sucess!

This was my second time up BCS. The North Arete is a fantastic route. My partner opted to doze in the sun while I scrambled up the summit block. Oh well, his loss.

dshoshone

dshoshone - Oct 6, 2004 6:18 pm

Route Climbed: Ulrichs Route Date Climbed: Aug. 13-2003  Sucess!

Ran into 3 Sierra Challengers,they led me to the summit. Thanks Bob,Michael,Matthew
Been up twice more via NE ridge

stoneman5

stoneman5 - Sep 13, 2004 7:23 pm

Route Climbed: North Arete Date Climbed: September 12, 2001  Sucess!

Great fun. Cold.

ScottyS

ScottyS - Sep 7, 2004 5:02 am

Route Climbed: NE Ridge Date Climbed: September 5, 2004  Sucess!

Did this climb almost on a whim during Labor Day vacation --- wore my Tevas to the top! See this trip report for the details. VERY FUN CLIMB!!!

Viewing: 1-20 of 140
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