[John Morrow]

I rarely have the energy for such a trip after a work week but my good friend Justin made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I've been wanting this trip for years. I tried to include pictures that give folks a good idea of the routefinding. Tues. we went in on a hot day, first view of the objectives:

Looking Back

Wed. approach:

Getting started

Justin at end of West Ridge pitch 1:

Top of the Class 3/4 start

View of pitch 2

Pitch 2 of Class 3/4

Justin holding up the obelisk precariously:

Start of traverse to summit pitches

View of crux pitch:

5.4 pitch

Pitch 4 class 2 traverse:

Walk across to base of 5.4 pitch

justin leading pitch 5, just above 5.4 crux:

The only Class 5

The summit:

Summit short pitch.

Pitch 3 variation of fun cracks on the north side:

looking back, puckered me a bit on the ascent.

Rapping pitch 3:

Rappel of Pitches 1 and 2

Rapping Pitches 1 and 2:

Rappelling Sherpa Peak's West Ridge

Pitches 1 and 2 from start:

Route from back at saddle

Evening at camp:

Ingalls Creek scene

Day 2 approach:

Start to Argonaut

The fun Class 2/3 south gully of Argonaut:

"Classic" class 3 gully scrambling to base of route

Base of a short Class 4 pitch ahead

Class 3/4 crux of Argonaut:

Rope really not necessary, only Class 4 move

The move

Justin on Argonaut:

Summit!

Rapping the Argonaut crux 70 feet:

Rappelof the Class 4 move

Last look down the slabby gully on the descent:

An alternative we didn't take

Thanks Justin for helping me motivate to get it done even if a bit tired from the weekend. This was an awesome wild feeling trip in the hills. I'll give route details later but Sherpa's West Ridge is very straightforward with single rope rappels and good belays at every rap station. Argonaut would be THE classic long solid class 2/3 scramble if it weren't for the 75 foot crux shallow chimney. It is very easy and safe for a beginning rope-work trip. A single rope is more than long enough for the rap through the chimney on the descent.

[kleet]

[wildernessed]

nice work John, great pics.

[DIYSteve]

Nice work and pics, John. I did the W Ridge of Sherpa route c. 10 years ago and really enjoyed it.

[John Morrow]