Less than 1 pitch from the summit - with a classic Sierra thunderstorm looming in the distance

All Locations > California > High Sierra > 06 - Little Lak… > Bear Creek Spire > Northeast Ridge (Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c)

Less than 1 pitch from the summit - with a classic Sierra thunderstorm looming in the distance

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Jared on the first section of the summit ridge during a windy February 2020 ascent. We topped out from the NE ridge itself on a large flat platform just behind the triangular block lit behind him.

Into the cold shadows at the point where the two routes merge - May 2013

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Emily Cheng

Sep 5, 2017

“Less than 1 pitch from the summit - with a classic Sierra thunderstorm looming in the distance”

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Nearby Photos

Andrew on Northeast Ridge of Bear Creek Spire

NE ridge of Bear Creek Spire in winter.

Final ridge traverse around before the last pitch up to the summit.

From the Base of the Ridge, head up the 3rd class sketch into the quality rock of the fins above until you meet the summit ridge.

Sunrise on the 3rd class scramble to the base of the climb.

Claire Rasmussen below Bear Creek Spire

Claire Rasmussen on the summit.

Craze features on the granite

Why must I be a man with a suitcase full of cheese?

Before the final ridge traverse. Lots of ropes crossing on a crowded day!

Sunrise on the NE Face of Bear Creek Spire - May 2013

Mike and Tony pose on top of the large tower low on the route.

striped tower on the NE Arete descent

Talus approach

Pick a line, start climbing.

Lunch of champions. In the notch that leads to the scree descent back into the drainage.

From the NE Ridge, we headed straight up to the end of the arete and the spectacular, but lower, "north" summit. This is not the real summit, but the beginning of the ridge traverse. As far as I get it, the actual NE Ridge traverses left along the NE face below this point and then crosses over to a fun 4th class ridge traverse.

The Field Goal on the right side of the ridge in this photo is the descent exit.

Jared on the first section of the summit ridge during a windy February 2020 ascent. We topped out from the NE ridge itself on a large flat platform just behind the triangular block lit behind him.

Less than 1 pitch from the summit - with a classic Sierra thunderstorm looming in the distance

Into the cold shadows at the point where the two routes merge - May 2013

Final mile of the approach.

Chris on a spicier variation

Fins galore

Michelle following high up on the NE ridge to the summit

Michelle leading up the fins on the class 5 section

Jared about 2/3 of the way up the ridge during a February 2020 ascent

Morning the day after. Took awhile to find a flat spot on dry ground. The available water had 3/4" of new ice each morning.

Heading up the climbers trail just after Long Lake.

Summit ridge

Looking down from the start of the real climbing - May 2013

Easy ground low down on the NE Ridge - May 2013

View of the NE ridge.

Fiona rapping off the summit

Summit ridge

Not sure if everyone goes this way near the top. Couldn't remember how we went back in 1977 when we did the North Arete. All I remember about this day was how cold it was. - May 2013

Nearing the summit on the NE Ridge of Bear Creek Spire

View of Bear Creek Spire from Dade Lake.

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