setting off on pitch 3

All Locations > Idaho > Central Idaho > Sawtooth Range > Elephant's Perch > Mountaineer's Route (5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c)

setting off on pitch 3

ID 124476088 ·

Flag This Photo

· Copyright Violation?

http://rjohnasay.blogspot.com/2013/07/sawtooths-alpine-lake-elephants-perch.html

Me on the 4th pitch traverse under the roof.

Rate Photo

4.0 from 3 votes

Nick Patilsen

Jun 25, 2023

“setting off on pitch 3”

0 Comments

Nearby Photos

composite view of the route.

Looking down from pitch 6...not 8 ;-)

Sarah setting off on P3 below the stupid fun roof traverse pitch!

topo by Reid Dowdle

Detail for pitch 4. Stay right, up to the roof, get gear, then move left.

Looking down Pitch 3

Elephant's Perch - SW Face, Left<br>
<br>
20. Chasing the Dragon 5.11+ A0 <br>
19. Mountaineer's Route 5.8 - 5.9 <br>
18. Trunkline 5.10+ <br>
17. Wendy 5.10+ <br>
16. Route X 5.9 A2 <br>
15a. Boomer's Story Var. 5.9 A2 <br>
15. Boomer's Story 5.9 A2 <br>
14. The Thorn Bush 5.9 A3 <br>
13. Slipstream 5.10 A3 <br>
12. Hook & Ladder 5.9 A3 <br>
11. Direct Beckey 5.11a ** <br>
10. Original Beckey 5.11+, stemming pitch from Fine Line to Direct Beckey <br>
9. The Fine Line 5.11a *** <br>

With Gordie Webster (C) in his pottery shop in Bellevue, Idaho. Gordon did the First Ascent of the route in 1967.

This is the first pitch of the route. I had difficulty finding it in the wee hours of the morning so I hope this will be useful.

http://rjohnasay.blogspot.com/2013/07/sawtooths-alpine-lake-elephants-perch.html

setting off on pitch 3

Me on the 4th pitch traverse under the roof.

Approach.

The Perch in all its glory.

End of pitch 2

The flake that I highlight in my inset is super hollow. There were definitely some loose blocks on this but this scared me the most by far. Every time you kick it, tap it, or bump it it has a deep ring all the way through. Tread carefully.

Coming up the crack to the bolted belay below the triple roofs.

Koren Nydick nearing the crux of the route.

View of descent trail from top of Mountaineers route. Keep elevation and traverse across the slabs and gullys to the small ridge pictured.

Looking down on Saddleback Lake from the Mountaineer's route

Pitch 7

Looking up at the flake pitch on the Mountaineer's Route

Photo from up-valley showing the upper half of the route. More detailed photos available @ garysadventureblog.blogspot.com

slightly zoomed in view of the tiered roofs traverse, from the bolted belay, plenty of pro possible but backclean/extend to minimize rope drag

The large blank diamond on the topo.

Most of the first 5 pitches are visible in this photo.

Pitch 3.

Pitch 4

Slabby, friction pitch 4

Anchors at top of pitch 3. The only real anchors on the route.

Mariann having fun on the crux pitch of Mountaineer's Route

Mariann having fun on Mountaineer's Route

Kaya climbing the 3rd pitch. Pretty epic view!

Climber on the mountaineers route as seen from Mojo! If this is you, pm me and I'll send you some more photos that we got. I think you also got a shot of my friend Jack climbing lower on the route!

P3, that piece got back-cleaned.

Having fun on the Mountaineer's Route

In This Photo

Nick Patilsen

Seattle, WA

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started

onX products are built by adventurers, for adventurers. We believe that every adventurer needs to know where to go, to know where they stand, and to be able to share their experiences.
About onX
Careers

iOS App Store

Android App Store

© 2026 onX Maps, Inc. Terms·Privacy