[TR] Liberty Bell - Beckey Route 9/2/2012

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Trip: Liberty Bell - Beckey Route

 

Date: 9/2/2012

 

Trip Report:

 

A few years ago I attempted Liberty Bell and Concord Tower on a cool September day (midweek). This weekend we decided to roll the dice on the crowds on a colder Labor Day weekend. Again, I just got half of my cake... but I did get a Beckey sighting in!

 

It was tough to get moving at 5 am on Sunday after our previous day's work and we did not get on the trail until 6:30 am. Unfortunately it was not early enough as we were the second party of 4 on the Beckey Route. We waited a bit for the first party to clear, and headed up at 10 am, making "OK" time. The temps were absolutely frigid at the col - I'd say near freezing with wind chill. We all had all our layers on for the first pitch. A third party arrived at the col right after us and decided to hit Concord Tower first instead. They looked to be in pain in the shade, blowing on their fingers as they climb up almost in parallel with us.

 

The last time I climbed this route, I led the first and third pitches, so I let DR lead these and did the 2nd. AC and JP paired up for this climb and they went ahead of us, with AC also leading the 2nd pitch.

 

On the hike out we ran into a party of 4 - three very young folks and Fred himself. They were headed up to camp below NEWS and climb it in the morning. Fred forgot his helmet so my friend JP lent him his. :-)

 

DR leads out on the first pitch:

 

AC styles the awkward chimney at the start of the 2nd pitch:

 

AC follows above the finger traverse on the 3rd pitch. She opted for the crack on the right above the piton instead:

 

DR soloing the friction slab:

 

Obligatory summit p0rn money shot:

 

KK, JP, and AC scrambling down from the summit:

 

I love this view:

 

At the rap bolts:

 

Gear Notes:

Small to mid alpine rack up to 3".

 

Approach Notes:

Dry.

[OlegV]

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing. It looks like the rock is solid witj lots of friction.