K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Arrowhead Lake is still partially frozen.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Arrowhead Lake is still partially frozen.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Wolfs Head (center) and Pingora (right) are probably the two most climbed peaks in The Cirque. Its exciting to finally set our eyes on them.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Wolfs Head (center) and Pingora (right) are probably the two most climbed peaks in The Cirque. Its exciting to finally set our eyes on them.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic atop the Boulder we hung our food from each day and night. Fierce Warbonnet looms over camp.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic atop the Boulder we hung our food from each day and night. Fierce Warbonnet looms over camp.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic hikes the well established trail toward the base of Pingora's South Buttress. Wolfs Head is straight ahead.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic hikes the well established trail toward the base of Pingora's South Buttress. Wolfs Head is straight ahead.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic on the lower, ledgy part of the South Buttress. Only a few easy 4th class moves are required here and the routefinding is easy and enjoyable.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic on the lower, ledgy part of the South Buttress. Only a few easy 4th class moves are required here and the routefinding is easy and enjoyable.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic scrambles up a slabby section low on the buttress.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic scrambles up a slabby section low on the buttress.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Nearing the start of the technical portion of the South Buttress.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Nearing the start of the technical portion of the South Buttress.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Smoke from a nearby wildfire blocks out much of the early morning sun and casts an eery pink hue over the landscape. This is a shot of Lonesome Lake and Mitchell Peak from the base of the first technical pitch.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Smoke from a nearby wildfire blocks out much of the early morning sun and casts an eery pink hue over the landscape. This is a shot of Lonesome Lake and Mitchell Peak from the base of the first technical pitch.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic scrambling up to the base of the first pitch.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic scrambling up to the base of the first pitch.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic leading the first pitch. A few 5.6 moves near the beginning lead to easier climbing above. Dominic places minimal gear.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic leading the first pitch. A few 5.6 moves near the beginning lead to easier climbing above. Dominic places minimal gear.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic belaying me up P1.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic belaying me up P1.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me about to lead my first real alpine pitch!
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me about to lead my first real alpine pitch!
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
I find the initial exposed, slabby traverse with no pro a bit unnerving.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
I find the initial exposed, slabby traverse with no pro a bit unnerving.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
The 140 foot long pitch follows a clean crack/corner system sustained at 5.6. It is not a trivial lead for the chicken.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
The 140 foot long pitch follows a clean crack/corner system sustained at 5.6. It is not a trivial lead for the chicken.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Looking down from the middle of P2.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Looking down from the middle of P2.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me nearing the top of P2.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me nearing the top of P2.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic starting up P3, the 5.8 K-Crack variation. Notice the obvious "K". The standard route goes up a nice 5.6 crack further left.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic starting up P3, the 5.8 K-Crack variation. Notice the obvious "K". The standard route goes up a nice 5.6 crack further left.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me following P3, the best pitch of the day. The climbing is steep but fun and secure.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me following P3, the best pitch of the day. The climbing is steep but fun and secure.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic on the summit of Pingora. Mitchell Peak is in the background.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic on the summit of Pingora. Mitchell Peak is in the background.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me on Pingora. Watch Tower is above me. Block Tower, Sharks Nose, and Overhanging Tower are on the right. Overhanging Tower will be our afternoon adventure. We'll start by gaining the saddle to its right.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Me on Pingora. Watch Tower is above me. Block Tower, Sharks Nose, and Overhanging Tower are on the right. Overhanging Tower will be our afternoon adventure. We'll start by gaining the saddle to its right.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Straight on view of the East Ridge of Wolfs Head from Pingora. Pingora's shadow is visible at the bottom. Overhanging Tower is on the left.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Straight on view of the East Ridge of Wolfs Head from Pingora. Pingora's shadow is visible at the bottom. Overhanging Tower is on the left.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic rappelling the K-Crack. We climbed this left K-Crack but it is also possible to climb the right K-Crack. Kelsey calls it "more serious" 5.8. The left crack is by far the more popular choice; I have never heard or read of anyone climbing the right crack.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
Dominic rappelling the K-Crack. We climbed this left K-Crack but it is also possible to climb the right K-Crack. Kelsey calls it "more serious" 5.8. The left crack is by far the more popular choice; I have never heard or read of anyone climbing the right crack.
K-Crack Variation [5.8]
Wind River Range, Wyoming
The standard descent from Pingora is via one single rope rappel followed by two double rope rappels.
Wind River Range, Wyoming
The standard descent from Pingora is via one single rope rappel followed by two double rope rappels.
Wind River Range,
Dominic shuttles my heavy pack across delicate slabs above North Lake as we near Cirque of the Towers. We're a little off route; the trail is above us. The backpack to base camp is 8.5 mile total and all except for the last mile and a half or so is on easy trail. The going gets a bit arduous near the end with some scrambling over giant boulders. Mitchell Peak is on the right.