Dave7

Trip: Mt Yonah, Georgia - Various Rock Routes Date: 8/20/2011 Trip Report: So after moving to Georgia from Washington I have been trying to get out and find the local spots. Unfortunately the the information on climbing in the Southeast is terribly outdated and super vague. Luckily a buddy of mine told me about Mt Yonah (which is only 3 hours away) which has a huge rock face and many beginner/ intermediate routes. We immediately started planning a trip up there. After weeks of waiting out the oppressive heat, we finally got on the road up to Yonah. Following farmer john directions, we got lost trying to find the "parking lot" at 10 pm. No signs, poor directions...this is going to be a great climb. After searching for an hour we found the trailhead and bivy for the night. Woke up at 7am and began the hike to the crag. The trail is straightforward, once you reach the clearing/ overlook spot continue the trail up the mountain. About 600 m we found a climbers trail to the right that brought us to the first wall. Below is my climb at the second wall we encounters, I would say it was a 5.8+ / 5.9 ish? Anywho it was great to get outside and just climb. Not sure what the route is named..no guidebook for this guy. There was a bunch of climbers out, we ran into a guy and his kids abseiling from the first wall. Come to find out he is an instructor at Ranger School where he teaches Army Rangers basic mountaineering skills. He pointed us in the direction of the main wall which is bolted. The main wall has some exposure and has some interesting lines. I would say most of the lines are 5.4-5.6 but offer quite a view All in a all a great day of climbing. Gear Notes: Quickdraws, #1, #.5, #2 BD camalots, yellow and blue mastercams, stoppers, slings Approach Notes: Follow the trail from the parking lot, hike about .5 mile take the trail junction left (uphill section). Once at the next junction, take a left. Once you reach the overlook clearing, continue straight up the mountain 500-600m and you will find a little red cross sign marked B1 and there will be a climbers trail to the crags.

this bud's for you, skiing corvette guy, with your awesome beard and trip report...you make all skiers and climbers jealous.

Are you flexible on your dates at all? I'll be in town from the 17-30...climbing rainier 19-21 and baker 27-29. No plans yet in between those climbs.

Awesome photos!! I have only gone through the Denali album, but I really like the way the website is set up!

Chance, For me, i had to size my spantiks one whole size up from what i normally wear. Don't know if that helps or not

sent you an email...sorry about the late response

Also the pack is size medium

what a great looking summit ridge!! Nice work

size small, but its made with room to throw over all your insulating layers

Two items to sell - MH South Col pack - i probably have 15 days on it, it doesn't carry well for me, other than that no issues. $125 Rab Super Dru Jacket - Event shell jacket, brand new...i already have a shell that i carry everywhere, so i need to find this jacket a good home. $175 photos available upon request

Experimenting with packs, I was almost in the same boat. I have a 70L MH South Col, which never carried right for me, I have a BD Epic 45 (which is awesome, climbs well, only downer is the lid doesn't come off). I just ordered a Cilogear 60L after testing it out. It seems perfect for those 2-3 trips, but fully extended out you can carry up to 90L. Pretty versatile and sweet pack.

Good timing of this post, I was able to find a Jannu on sale. Looking forward to testing it out on Rainier and Baker in September.

the eldo weighs in at 7 lbs 7 oz? Thanks for the stats

thanks for the advice all!

i would be interested in doing adams the 23-25. I will be up in town for a couple weeks climbing Rainier and Baker and the 23-25 works in perfectly in my schedule if your interested in a third member

As far as packs go, for 3 days, I would go with a 50L or 60L. Forces you to cut down on unnecessary items on your trip. Light, fast, and effective!

Honestly, I took a 6 day seminar with RMI and will say my experience with them was great!!! We were also up on the mountain in May, so the crowds were minimal. Our "schooling" took place up on Ingraham flats actually training on glaciers and actual crevasses. The guides were super professional, knowledgeable, and friendly!!! However I will say if your looking for more of an "experience" the extra day is definitely worth it for training and acclimatization. And camping at Ingraham flats isn't too shabby. My interactions with the AAI guides and IMG guides will on the mountain have been pretty positive too. Have fun!

So right now I have decided its time for my first mountaineering tent and need some advice. Hilleberg Jannu vs Bibler Eldorado My thoughts: The Jannu has excellent reviews, a rather lightweight for a 2 wall tent at 6 lbs 6oz (can be stripped down to a little over 5). However it is expensive at $735 and I have seen 0 sales on it over the past 3-4 months. The Eldorado has reviewed well for a single wall tent, weighing in at a little over 4 lbs (good for going light and fast) and I found one on sale for a reasonable price for $475. Downside is that it does not come with a vesti, and venting can be somewhat of an issue. Thoughts? About me, I am fairly new to climbing, but I enjoy alpine climbing and mountaineering. I have been doing it for a little over a year now. I want something that will last and progress with me to bigger objectives (Denali maybe?)

Great video!

pm sent

My attempt to write about my adventures/mishaps in the climbing world. http://alpinedave7.blogspot.com/

Most of the time i use a tibloc instead of a prussik as my ratchet as I seldom use a pulley at my master point. Instead i use my pulley at the prussik i am hauling on. The friction isn't too bad and i can usually haul someone of my equal weight by myself. Simple and effective for me.

helpful info all around

probably looking to spend up to $500 or so for a nice set of boots...I like my feet

thanks everyone for the advice! anyone have a suggestion for boots brand/model?