Coyote Flats, Vagabond Peak (aka Cloudripper Jr.) (13,374') and The Hunchback (12,311') (06.23-24.2012)
Okay, we're done with the easy stuff. Time to find my way over this thing. The problem is that in order to get to Cloudripper you have to go over the ridge that is Vagabond. I kept searching for a good route over and would get walled out in giant boulders. Eventually I headed straight to the high point of the ridge (Vagabond peak proper) so I could sign the register and scout a route down the other side to Cloudripper.
One of the four (or so) rocks I thought was the summit. As I worked my way up the ridge I kept finding these fun little class 2/3 rock piles that I thought was the summit. I'd get on them and realize I had to go to the next one. I don't remember if this one was the summit or not. It was really windy so I wasn't taking a lot of photos.
The beautiful view from Vagabond. The turquoise Big Pine Lakes below, and the Palisade Glacier above. Mt Sill is the prominent peak above the glacier, with North Pal to its right. Split Mtn (last summer's 14er) is the high peak in the distance. Cloudripper is immediately in front of me and my next destination. Maybe.
View to the west from the summit of Vagabond, except for the summit block in the way. It was really, really windy. It had been all day but it was getting worse. I needed both feet and both hands on solid surfaces at all times, so I had to tuck myself behind the summit block in order to be stable enough to take photos.
Me, trying not to blow off the peak while decked out in all my sweet new Columbia gear. Camera pointed east (the direction I approached from). I made it! Vagabond Peak (aka Cloudripper Jr), 13,374 feet. I was staring at a computer at sea level this time yesterday. Today I'm sucking air like it's going out of style.
Sights set. Next target: Cloudripper. So. I started down the north side of Vagabond. The wind was whipping up from that plateau. The boulders were big but perfectly good (i.e. fun) terrain. But I was about three boulders down the summit when a gust of wind literally took a foot out from under me. Luckily my climbing reflexes kicked in and I controlled my fall by grabbing a good arete on a neighboring boulder. I sat there on my ass, being blown over and looking at the terrain in front of me, and realized that this was a really good place to draw the line between "you got this" and "don't be stupid". I hadn't seen another person up here today. I was by myself. The mountain isn't going anywhere. So I turned around. Sigh.
Back at camp. I am completely spent, not even fumes left in the tank. I hiked about 12 miles with around 3500 ft of gain in 7 hours at 10,300-13,300 ft. I reflect on the fact that the previous day I ran 10 miles in an hour and a half at sea level and felt great after. It's amazing how altitude will slow you down. I was well hydrated and fed and didn't feel any of the traditional AMS symptoms (headache, nausea, etc), but simply going from sea level to 10k will do that to you. I have to remember not to get frustrated with myself when I move slower at elevation.
I grab a bag of Lay's potato chips (mmm salt), a bag of fresh cherries, a bottle of water, drop my pack, sit down and lean against a log. I recover quickly and have a great night of sleep.