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Galileo
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Galileo
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PostFri Oct 23, 2009 11:16 am 
I would be interested in meeting touron, especially if he/she could provide more insight on the Balanced Rock controversy. up.gif up.gif There are also some indications that the whole mountain may be starting to lean, and leaning more and more each year due to the loamy soil the mountain was built on (it was an inland sea about the same time period that Snoqualmie Falls was a volcano). This means that though the Balanced Rock may be higher presently, in the future it could end up a few inches lower, or the whole mountain could topple over and all points be equi-level--which is another good reason why climbers on it should be wearing their helmets and harnesses at all times.

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Layback
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Layback
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PostFri Oct 23, 2009 11:17 am 
I think DHM is onto something. I volunteer Tippet and Dave. clown.gif

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huron
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huron
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PostSun Aug 21, 2011 5:35 pm 
Measurement taken (with crude instrument) and the verdict is in. My first idea was to hang a plumb-bob from a plastic protractor, but not finding one as I packed for Sherpa, I just grabbed the next best thing, a small level. The level was mounted on a tripod and fastened to the main summit so that the top of the level was within 1 or 2 inches of the hight of the top of Sherpa's fin (where the register lives).
High Tech Theodolite
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High Tech Theodolite
The Balanced Rock was signted across the top of the level. This photo attempts to get the Balanced Rock, Sherpa main summit and top of level all in one shot, so they all appear slightly off.
Theodolite with summit and balanced rock
Theodolite with summit and balanced rock
Here is how the reading looked. The right side of the bubble level points to Balanced Rock. The level is resting on Sherpa main summit.
The Measurement
The Measurement
Here's a shot of the two summits together.
Sherpa Balanced Rock with main summit
Sherpa Balanced Rock with main summit
Not a large difference, but would anyone care to proclaim the top rock?

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Spotly
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Spotly
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PostSun Aug 21, 2011 5:49 pm 
Beats all the "I think"s so I'm sold until someone takes a better measurement that says otherwise smile.gif....or until it falls over.

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austineats
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austineats
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PostFri Sep 11, 2020 9:01 pm 
It seems a long time since this subject has been broached, however a friend and his wife recently sent me a photo of the balanced rock sparking fond old memories. Having been there twice, I can definitively say the Balanced Rock is higher. Although one of my partners (S Frink) was a tad too high on my 1993 visit of the lower, but no less exposed non-balanced psuedo-summit. I have photos of this event but they are lost in the basement somewhere.

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Silas
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PostFri Sep 11, 2020 9:28 pm 
Reminds me of being on the “summit” of Hagan earlier this year. The peak to the west looks higher from all angles, but is 5th class to get up. The summit register is on the easier, easterly summit. Wish I had a good picture of it. My friend and I climbed on one another’s’ shoulders to get higher than the west summit. Does that count?

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Mike Collins
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PostSat Sep 12, 2020 8:14 am 
Huron wrote:
The Measurement
The Measurement
So is your conclusion that the Balanced Rock is about 0.5-1 inch taller?

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Eric Gilbertson
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Eric Gilbertson
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PostSat Sep 12, 2020 12:57 pm 
In 2017 I took a surveyor's level to the main (northwest) summit of Sherpa Peak and measured a 1 degree angular decrease when sighting the top of the balanced rocks from the highest point of rock on the main summit. This means the balanced rock is approximately 2ft shorter than the main summit based on that measurement.
Looking from main summit to balanced rock with sight level
Looking from main summit to balanced rock with sight level

zimmertr
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Josh Journey
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Josh Journey
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PostSat Sep 12, 2020 1:25 pm 
Eric Gilbertson wrote:
This means the balanced rock is approximately 2ft shorter than the main summit based on that measurement.
up.gif up.gif On behalf of all Bulgar completers, thank you. Was worried about this when summiting Sherpa Peak.

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OutOfOffice
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PostSun Sep 13, 2020 1:15 pm 
I guess these rocks are scientifically dubbed "PBRs" haha. Why Scientists Fall for Precariously Balanced Rocks

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