Don_Serl Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) I'm wondering if anyone has any info about a possible 2nd ascent of the McNerthney Pillar on Waddington. Kevin McLane thought Colin Haley might have done it, or at least knew something about it, but (a) he hasn't and (b) he thought he'd heard that from ME! Most curious... (p.s. I'll duplicate this posting in the Climber Board, cuz not everyone visits the BC section, if that's OK with you mods...) Cheers, p.p.s. As a reward for reading this posting, here's a photo to stoke you thru the rest of the winter. The route takes the obvious 3-stepped rock pillar.. Edited January 10, 2011 by Don_Serl Quote
Dane Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 Don would you mind giving us the history of the 1st ascent and who exactly was involved? Or an AAJ CAJ refernece would be good as well. Quote
genepires Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 p 236 of the waddington guide. pat and dan mcnerthney july 86 it would be a amazing if "someone" hadn't done the second ascent yet. I would imagine at least some crazy slavics did it in the last 24 years. It seems reasonable for the very strong types and also being right at the col. Quote
Dane Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 Thanks guys.... The McNerthney Twins...really strong! Quote
G-spotter Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 Did fheimerd's group ever get in there? http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/546573/ Quote
Don_Serl Posted January 10, 2011 Author Posted January 10, 2011 Don would you mind giving us the history of the 1st ascent and who exactly was involved? Or an AAJ CAJ reference would be good as well. hey Dane, would an excerpt from the guide do? The McNerthney Pillar ED1/2 5.10 mixed 980m to Northwest Peak Pat and Dan McNerthney; July 24, 1986 [AAJ’87 p185; CAJ’87 p82] This tremendous 700m rock pillar soars directly from the flat snow of the Col to the Terrace. Despite providing far and away the most powerful climbing line on this face of Waddington, it remains unrepeated. Cross the schrund (can be vertical) [~3100m] and gain the lowest rocks on their right flank. Angle up and left to the first prominent, snowy ledge on the pillar. Head directly up past another major ledge to the lower angled section at half height. Move left to attack the wall above, then drift slowly right as altitude is gained. A bivy can be made on the snow crest above the main body of the pillar [~3650m], then a final groove is climbed to gain the upper snows. 16 pitches, much of it on sound flakes, lead to the bivy site; 5 more pitches lead to the Terrace [~3800m]. The Northwest Peak lies just above, or the route can be finished to the Main Summit, as on the first ascent. Enjoy... Quote
iciclespyder Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 It was a great climb. Thanks for stirring up interest in it. A couple of years ago, fheimerd and I were going to attempt a second accent but that never happened. I recall the schrund crossing give us problems, mainly because my belay failed, resulting in a very lucky jump over the schrund onto some very soft snow. Don, any chance I can get a large print of that photo? Thanks, Dan McNerthney Quote
Don_Serl Posted March 1, 2011 Author Posted March 1, 2011 Don, any chance I can get a large print of that photo? Thanks, Dan McNerthney Dan, I'd be honoured... PM sent, Cheers, Quote
AAC-PNW Posted July 22, 2013 Posted July 22, 2013 Lindsey and Arundhati posted today that their husbands report an ascent to the NW summit. Lindsey writes: "A huge congrats to my husband, Ben Kunz, and his partners and our friends, Tim Halder and Joe Sambataro, for completing the 2nd ascent of the McNerthney Pillar route (ED 1/2, 5.10 mixed) on Mt. Waddington! #OutdoorResearch #AAC This route first completed by the McNerthney brothers, Pat and Dan McNerthney, back in July 24th of 1986 climbs a 700m rock pillar and continues on to the main summit at 13,185ft. Despite the appeal of this beautiful rock tower, it had yet to see a repeat ascent. This dream has been in the works for our boys for over a year and has finally come to fruition. Thanks to the American Alpine Club for your support (https://www.americanalpineclub.org/p/2013-live-your-dream-award-winners-announced), in addition to all the support from Outdoor Research #OutdoorReserach, Cascade Designs #CascadeDesigns, and Feathered Friends #FeatheredFriends. The boys bivvied near the summit and are making their descent today, so help me send good vibes their way and stay tuned!" Quote
DPS Posted July 22, 2013 Posted July 22, 2013 Nice! Joe used to live in Seattle before moving to Boulder. I had the pleasure of meeting him once on Chair Peak. Quote
TrogdortheBurninator Posted July 22, 2013 Posted July 22, 2013 DPS, that seems like an understated way of reporting that meeting Congrats to Joe, Ben, and Tim! Quote
Don_Serl Posted July 24, 2013 Author Posted July 24, 2013 finally! it'll be interesting to get more details once they get out. Quote
JasonG Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 Yeah guys!! The chocolate bunny was the key, I just know it. Quote
JensHolsten Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 really stoked to hear about this one...looks like a fantastic route! Nice work guys! Quote
wbk Posted August 1, 2013 Posted August 1, 2013 Definitely couldn't have done it without chocolate Peter Rabbit! Huge thanks Jason! Talked to Colin - he's pretty sure no one else has done repeat ascent of McNerthney(he solo'd the Flavelle-Lane last season). Ben Quote
JasonG Posted August 1, 2013 Posted August 1, 2013 Chippenalpen! What is Joe thinking in that manwich? Glad I could send some help your way, I got to get up there one of these summers. Amazing. Quote
tvashtarkatena Posted August 1, 2013 Posted August 1, 2013 That does make one wonder what the bunny was finally used for. Quote
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