[TR] Black Peak- South Ridge 8/3/2005

[AlpinistAndrew]

Climb: Black Peak-South Ridge

 

Date of Climb: 8/3/2005

 

Trip Report:

Sunday saw the collapse of my Pickets climbing plans. So, being with only 2 days (instead of 4) days off, I had to make do. Due to lack of partners (i.e. none) my choices were limited, so I opted for Black Peak, which had been on my list for a while. The trip itself was cake. There's a bloody trail to the base of the "climb". I did it in 7.5 hours round trip (car-car). The mountain is a choss pile. The last 50 feet or so was good. Amazing views however. The views really were worth the effort. Overall a good day out in the mountains. As I descened Hwy 20 towards Diablo lake on the return drive I saw a ton of smoke. After I crossed the Diablo Bridge paralleling Gorge Lake this huge fucking helicopter skyrockets upwards in rock throwing distance from the road, wiht a bucket attatched. Then I round a corner and theres like 20 cars along the road with rangers and fire crews. Apparently there's a fire there. Then as I enter Marblemount I see a dual prop plane circling low overhead. Then parachuters start bailing out of the things. Tons of action in the foothills of "The American Alps" (or so the sign says in Marblemount)

 

Gear Notes:

Helmet (for gods sake that rock is loose)

 

Approach Notes:

easy

[layton]

hey! nice dude!

remember me BTW? we guided baker together sooo long ago.