I first saw this little spire a couple years ago, located high above Tioga Road in Lee Vining Canyon. In the summer, I would drive past it on my way home from work each day, stopping occasionally to look at different approach options. I knew I had to get to the top of this hilarious looking feature, and already named it “The Cocktower”.
 |
 |
|
 The Cocktower Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
 |
 |
Eventually a friend and I hiked up to scope the approach last summer. It turned out to be horrendously loose and shwacky, and we were super cautious to not knock down anything that might have even the slightest chance of heading toward the highway. We stopped at a point just below the tower where we figured we’d come back and rope up for.
|
|
|
 Almost to the base Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
|
|
A couple months later, another friend and I hiked back up with gear this time, roping up for one short section before the base.
|
|
|
 On the approach Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
|
|
The front side appears to have an awesome looking knobby face.
|
|
|
 Looking up at the front side Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
|
|
We scrambled around back and into the notch to the shorter side. The rock on this side had a lot thin flakes, and surprisingly hollow-sounding rock. The route was a short A1, placing 3 bolts to a crack that took a few cams to the top.
|
|
|
 From the notch Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
|
|
|
|
|
 Looking down the route Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
|
|
After spending so much time dangling on the notch-side, it was pretty exciting pulling up onto the top. I placed a couple rap anchors, and it was now officially named "The Cocktower".
|
|
|
 On the tip! Credit: Nudge Nudge |
||
|
|
-Nathan
