Trip Report
Valhalla Redux: The Spectacular Saber Ridge
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Friday April 10, 2015 12:42pm
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In February of 2015, my good friend and very first climbing partner, Mike, and I backpacked into Valhalla for 3 days. It was an incredible trip in to an area I've only read and dreamed about. We didn't bother with tents or even zipping up our sleeping bags at night as it never dropped below the 40's at night. I was in love and couldn't stop thinking about going back.
This past weekend, my good friend, Jeanluke, and I headed back in for Saber Ridge. We humped in 40lb packs across 17 miles of trail in 9 hours, equipped for 3 days.
For gear, we brought a light rack of BD .3 to 3 cams, 3 of the smallest Tech Friends, a set of nuts, a mess of slings and biners, and a 35m rope for simul'ing. We pitched out the cruxes and simul'd the rest. We made the summit in a casual 7 hours.
WE could see the Central Valley from the ridge.
The next day we hiked out with the incoming storm on our heels.
PAUL SOUZA
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About the Author
PAUL SOUZA is a trad climber, big waller, and Big Brother from the Central Valley, CA. |
Comments
Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Apr 10, 2015 - 12:53pm PT
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STOKED THANKS What a great RIDGE TRAVERSE TO DO!!
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:03pm PT
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Yeah buddy. One of my favorite places in the universe. I first saw Valhalla in a break in the clouds WayBITD. We had just traversed from 395 in leather and skinny's and we vowed to return with gear and skill. And we did. Our packs were >120lbs and we were geared for a month stay. That's a TR if I can ever get the slides scanned.
Woop woop.
Aside: Early May 1989(?)and the snow was continuous from below Shepherds Pass to the Kern.
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Hoots
climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:25pm PT
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Saber this time of year? Awesome!
Flip-Flop: Consider that your sole mission, getting those slides from that tour up!
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:35pm PT
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This is great! Would love to climb that thing this summer maybe?! Thanks for posting!
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:39pm PT
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Paul, way to go....
Really nice different view of the Fin and the Castle Rocks... in one of the up thread photos.
Flip.... without a photo TR. It didn't happen. :>)
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:47pm PT
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Oh, you guys. It kills me to not be able to post up those pics. Particularly the nude selfies on a solo of N.Pal. Someday bros.
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limpingcrab
Gym climber
Minkler, CA
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:50pm PT
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Who's that guy with no beard!?
You forgot to make the claim that you did on facebook that got people talking: "This ridge blows the Matthes Crest away!"
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Author's Reply
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Apr 10, 2015 - 01:52pm PT
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Hey Daniel,
I was trying to keep this TR spray-free. ;)
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland, CA
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Apr 10, 2015 - 02:19pm PT
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Nice nice nice!
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Nanobody
Trad climber
Fresno, CA
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Apr 10, 2015 - 03:59pm PT
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Awesome! I'll have to try that one!
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Apr 10, 2015 - 04:51pm PT
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Spray free TR? Poor form. Allow me to re-format your Trip Report for maximum sprayage and you'll double your comments by mid afternoon. Here's how its done.......
But if you want to take the humble route and drift off the front page that's fine by me. Just call me when your TR fades into oblivion ya noob.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Apr 10, 2015 - 05:18pm PT
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Sweet TR....looks like you had a super time. It is scary, however, how little snow there is.
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Woody the Beaver
Trad climber
Soldier, Idaho
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Apr 11, 2015 - 09:24am PT
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Stunning place. Thanks!
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thebravecowboy
climber
The Good Places
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Apr 11, 2015 - 09:28am PT
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stoke!
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Psilocyborg
climber
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Apr 11, 2015 - 11:44am PT
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duuude....yeah.....one of my favorite places in the sierra
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Author's Reply
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Apr 11, 2015 - 06:31pm PT
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Scott,
I posted this TR just to stoke the flames of sendage and hope more people will find the uselessness of arguing on the interwebz.
Perhaps we can make this place a better, more hospitable place. We all play a role in this place in some capacity. ;)
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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Apr 11, 2015 - 07:38pm PT
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Beautiful!
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Apr 11, 2015 - 09:48pm PT
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Nice try Paul. More spray still would have been better. Proud send!
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
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Apr 12, 2015 - 06:35am PT
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Just awesome Paul,
Thank you!!!
Looks like one to remember !!!!
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Larry Nelson
Social climber
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Apr 12, 2015 - 07:27am PT
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Cool pictures, TFPU
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