The 5.9(?) variation off the P3 belay (P2 per Supertopo). The main route goes slightly right up the "trough", then up the flake system.

All Locations > California > High Sierra > 06 - Little Lak… > Bear Creek Spire > N Arete (5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c)

The 5.9(?) variation off the P3 belay (P2 per Supertopo). The main route goes slightly right up the "trough", then up the flake system.

ID 106838011 ·

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thumbs up so far on the route

getting closer

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fossana

Jul 25, 2010

“The 5.9(?) variation off the P3 belay (P2 per Supertopo). The main route goes slightly right up the "trough", then up the flake system.”

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Nearby Photos

The North Arete of Bear Creek Spire viewed from the west.

Chimney After Crux Pitch

The spectacular Bear Creek Spire

The incredible view from the summit of<br>
Bear Creek Spire

Meghan at the notch.

Summit of Bear Creek Spire

Jascha about to top out on P6 (P5 on Supertopo)

Picture of Ross taken from the summit block. Great view of the lakes.

Bear Creek Spire viewed from the Dade Lake area. The North Arete is the prominent Arete facing the viewer, with the NE Ridge being the line which crosses diagonally across the image starting in the bottom left corner.

The final 4th class pitches to the summit. Note the "smog" in the background due to the [[Zaca Mesa fire]]http://independent.com/news/2007/jul/28/zaca-mesa-fire-again-sends-smoke-coast/ burning north of Santa Barbara.

Colin just below the summit on the ridge

Little Lakes Valley

Adam soloing P1

The N Arete lit from the west.

view down the E Arete

view toward Dade

John and Tony on pitch 2.

success!

Summit ridge.

The summit block.

Looking up at a party on the crux pitch (.10b variation) we unknowingly followed thinking it was 5.8 boy were we surprised!

final snow field

Dave Burda and Lisa Pritchett on the North Arete of Bear Creek Spire.

Climbers on the N Arete as seen from the NE Ridge.

N Arete, viewed from the descent (looking SE)

The North Arête follows the left skyline.

Pitch 5 North arete

thumbs up so far on the route

The 5.9(?) variation off the P3 belay (P2 per Supertopo). The main route goes slightly right up the "trough", then up the flake system.

getting closer

Jascha approaching the P5 belay (P4 on Supertopo)

almost to the summit block

John negotiates a gendarme.

Me leading fifth pitch (5.8). Photo by Justin Marion

Michelle on the 5.10 dihedral variation on P6 (P5 on Supertopo). The variation climbs the front of the tower, while the main route goes up a right-trending off-width behind the tower. photo by Jascha

navigating the upper ridge

view toward Dade

DVS leading the start of the crux pitch. The off-width/"chimney" is pressed up against the the obvious wall on the left. Photo by E. Kim.

Eric Collins following one of the lower pitches, circa 1985

jim following after 5.8 crux section

Summit of BCS

Descending the NE Ridge to escape the storms.

Stormy skies over BCS and Dade. Time for us to bail.

P2 per Mt Project (P1 per Supertopo)

P1 per Mt Project

BCS from the Gem Lake approach trending left up the shallower talus fields. I think this is easier than the Treasure Lakes slabs or going right up the steeper talus at Gem Lake.

Adam on the approach

en route<br>

Jascha following up the first pitch

Meghan approaching the top of pitch 2.

On the final traverse before the summit. 07/20/19

Looking to the E

Tony Tennessee leading off on pitch 1.

North Arete in afternoon light, seen from descent.

5.9 variation

5.9 Variation of pitch 2 where I went straight up instead of following the flakes right.

Jascha approaching the P3 (P2 in Supertopo) belay

The route we took. Pitch 4 felt very loose and we could have been off route but was no harder then 8. Pitch 5 is definitely foreshortened in this photo.

John Fujii at the top of pitch 1.

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