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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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You'll love it Moose
I tried to do that backpack linkup with Hoffman, Finger Peak and Obelisk.
We totally lost the trail beyond Finger Peak after we passed the left turn off to Chain lakes and wandered around on cow paths for a while. It may be better now or maybe we just simply lost the good trail.
I think to ensure you get to Obelisk after Hoffman, I'd recommend after doing finger/Hoffman to backtrack from Hoffman a bit to the obvious trail split that goes southeastish toward the Obelisk area. I can look up the trail names and post up.
Scrambling the long ridge on Spanish Mountain is awesome with tons of fish in the lake up there.
Guyman is right about the climbs feeling like FA's on the obelisk. IMO, lots of bad beta and wrong lines drawn on old topos. Even Limpingcrab has posted wrong information on MP for the westface route. :)
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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you should be fine with gps and a quad map. I didn't have either. If you lose the trail after chain lakes, just keep going on cow trails in the same direction until you hit the trail again.
Our mishap out there killed enough time for us to pull the plug on going out to Obelisk once we re-found the trail and realized where we actually were. I don't think anyone uses that portion of trail.
you can see the "shortcut" trail that splits off the trail before Hoffman and connects out to your intended route. That is a good trail and would be the easy way out to the Obelisk from Hoffman (not necessarily Finger Rock) and the best way out after Obelisk if you don't do a car drop at crown valley TH.
If days are limited skip finger rock. The routes didn't look that appealing, esp. compared to stuff on Hoffman and Obelisk.
bring a summit register to Obelisk. I couldn't find one up there.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Guyman is right about the climbs feeling like FA's on the obelisk. IMO, lots of bad beta and wrong lines drawn on old topos. Even Limpingcrab has posted wrong information on MP for the westface route. :) Ha! Hey, that was posted six years ago from memory of a few years before that. Besides, I did say "approximate"
Still haven't climbed on Hoffman but it sure does look cool
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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limp - that is no excuse for a guidebook author. ;)
Moose - I could spray you with tons of approach beta but that would ruin the fun.
if you want west face don't do the big wrap around to the eastside of the formation. there are two possible approaches to the westface that are somewhat direct with some bushwacking unless you get lucky.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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What the what!? You eating steak and eggs and bringing a queen size mattress?
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Scott Thelen
Trad climber
Truckee, Ca
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Clyde’s pack service. They can drag you old farts in there.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Here's an old shot Guy Keesee took on our way over Harrington Pass heading down into the Gorge of Despair. Looking across the Middle Fork, The Obelisk is arrowed.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Ahhh, the beer. I can get you 198 proof alcohol from lab if you want to save some weight.
Also, from lower Geraldine lake you just kinda head up to the ridge and walk on the north side of it. Pretty straight forward as far as cross country goes so you guys shouldn't have any issues.
Bring fishing stuff too!
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MikeL
Social climber
Southern Arizona
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^^^^^^
You might be a glutton for punishment. (Aren't all climbers?)
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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moose, get rid of the cast iron Dutch oven. It’s ok if your biscuits get stale.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Moose... only 70 lbs?? I think that’s not bad - I always envy backpackers, small pack with zero climbing gear.
Bring beers
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Jul 24, 2018 - 11:29am PT
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lost moose in sequoia?
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Footie
Trad climber
Sonoma, CA
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Jul 25, 2018 - 08:44am PT
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No Split. He's back in the City or may be trying to get into Yosemite this week. We made it to do Golden Tower Direct (nice) and check out Hoffman Mountain before we got rained on. He has a leg strain that made it too uncomfortable for him to carry his load out to the Obelisk, so after retreating to Courtright, where he was well enough to drag me up Power Dome (Hannaramic), I called wife of Kunlun Shahn to come do the Obilisk with me. She agreed and we had a great time. Climbed the West Face Route and Rock Solid, enjoyed camping and swimming at Lower Geraldine Lake. Mosquitos not too bad, wildfowers magnificent! Moose was going to chime in or start a trip report. I can add to it some more info about the approaches and routes and the notorious descent, but I'm busy getting ready to leave for 2-3 weeks in the Tetons/Winds tomorrow (yipee!) so it might be awhile.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Jul 25, 2018 - 10:56am PT
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How's the smoke out there? I want to walk out to the top of Tehipite dome on a photo mission, but it's a waste of time unless it's clear. Probably wait 'till September and see how things have shaped up.
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Jul 25, 2018 - 11:47am PT
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right on Footie. glad you got out there.
I need your email Footie. I'll be out at the Winds at the end of August and would love to know what you end up doing/climbing there.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jul 25, 2018 - 02:08pm PT
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Let's see them Hoffman pics! Tower Direct classic!
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Footie
Trad climber
Sonoma, CA
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Jul 25, 2018 - 02:42pm PT
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Ksolem- The distant views were smokey, but we weren't breathing smoke or anything. Munge- I tried to upload a couple of pictures but can't get it to work. I'll work on it when I get back from Wy. Split- I sent my email contact through Supertopo. Hopefully that works.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Jul 25, 2018 - 02:56pm PT
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Thanks. That's what I figured, but good to get it straight from the horses mouth, so to speak.
For what I want to shoot I'll need crystal clear air. Good luck with that these daze, huh.
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Footie
Trad climber
Sonoma, CA
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Jul 26, 2018 - 09:03am PT
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Moose- I wouldn't call those "bails". They were the just way things go with the mountains and our bodies. I'd like to think it means you've gotten some dues out of the way so now you will have great success in Pakistan! Looking forward to that report. And thanks again for hiking the first six miles out to the Obelisk with me and using that GPS app to get me pointed in the right direction before you left (my so-called inner compass was completely off track.)
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SuperTopo on the Web
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Let us know!