reaching for fresh air

All Locations > California > High Sierra > 14 - Whitney &… > Mt Whitney > E Face (5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b)

reaching for fresh air

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approx lines of the E side routes

The Fresh Air Traverse

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Mike Forest

Jul 22, 2019

“reaching for fresh air”

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View from the Fresh Air Traverse. Exposed, but easy going.

At the end of the FAT. Kats first alpine climb, first multi pitch, first 14r, first car to car, first time climbing with a pack, first big-time exposure, and one of her first days on the rock in general. A real trial by fire, and proudly sent clean, excepting the dirty words emitted.

Tom Slater topping out above the "washboard", leaving the snow behind but going into the cold shadows.<br>
Photo Doug Englekirk.

Tower Traverse!

View from Iceberg Lake of the route, w/ line drawn of East Face.

Harz following the Fresh Air Traverse

Early morning alpenglow

The beginning of the fresh air traverse

Climber on the fresh air traverse.

East face

East Face of Whitney

nearing the summit

lost on the Fresh Air Traverse. Super easy when you find the correct line

Ebersbacher Ledges on the approach to Lower Boy Scout Lake

View from the talus field

View of the exposure after the Fresh Air Traverse

Mt Russell in the distance

Mt. Whitney and the Needles

5.7 off-width crack above the Grand Staircase.

Looking down from the start of the Fresh Air Traverse

approx lines of the E side routes

reaching for fresh air

The Fresh Air Traverse

Richard Lewis, Tower Traverse, 1987.

Mariann at the base of the east face

Fresh Air Traverse visible right ahead!

Wayne Campbell starting the Tower Traverse, circa 1986

Just before the washboard on Whitney's East Face

Flex following the Tower Traverse

The "Tower Traverse."

Scott and me on the summit after climbing the East Face

Top of the 3rd pitch coming out the top of the Washboard.

Mt. Whitney, Day and Keeler Needles.

Above the Washboard. Climb over these blocks, then traverse down and right (west) to reach the start of the Fresh Air Traverse.

Looking down from the start of the "Tower Traverse" pitch.

Just Doug and I on the summit. An exciting day, but damn cold.

climbing with Zach Schneider

On the approach - first week of November'16

Following the Fresh Air Traverse

views from the last section

approach choss

Joshua Reinig in black high on the Fresh Air Traverse. Drew small circle around him.

route start

Just before the Tower Traverse (pitch 1)

the Washboard

2 climbers on top of the 2nd tower on East Buttress of Mt Whitney

looking back at the Tower Traverse | The holds were less positive, so this was the psychological crux for me, not the Fresh Air Traverse.

Simul-climbing the Washboard - 1987 (note swami-belt & guess who was carrying the pack).

heading up to the big alcove

Tower Traverse

looking back at the Fresh Air Traverse

All that fresh air.....

looking back down to Iceberg Lake

The Washboard

the Grand Staircase

Tower Traverse

"Fresh Air Traverse." Superfluous protection was placed to prevent a pendulum.