Post Climb Status

[Bob Anderson]

Climb Status
July 27th, 2010

We successfully got nine climbers on the summit on July 24th. Our
entire climbing team that attempted the summit where successful with
no problems regarding conditioning or climbing ability. Mike,
Robert, Chad, Eric, and Gil stayed on the summit overnight while I
took Erynn, Jim, and Sarah back down. Erynn, Jim and myself where the
mules and helped carry the survey equipment to the summit. Seven
support people helped carry gear to Muir on the 22nd which included a
gravity meter, survey equipment, and supplies. The support group
surveyed McClure Rock and Muir including gravity readings. Steve
Reding provided valuable ground support during our climb. Gil, Eric,
and Daniel attempted to climb the west side through St. Andrew Rock
but where blown off the Mountain in a sever wind storm. We
experienced winds of 40 plus miles per hour at Muir on Thursday and
the Climbing Rangers recorded winds of 70 mph on the summit. Eric,
Gil, and Daniel where exposed to the full force of the wind on the
west side which destroyed their tent. They abandoned the west side
climb and drove around the mountain and meet the group on the summit
on Saturday after climbing direct from Paradise in less than 12 hours.
A real feat of endurance and mountaineering! I had to take down the
three greenest climbers from the summit. I took the rear to anchor
the team and designated Erynn to lead the group. She earned a her
mountaineering merit badge with a couple of gold stars! The group held
up very well with endurance, strength, diet, and skill. From a
climbing perspective the outing was a success. However network or cell
coverage simply did not work which greatly affected our survey
objectives. I will be putting together a slide show of the climb
including our training outings and make it available to everyone.
Steve and I plan on going back to the chapters this fall for a show
and "thank you" for the support. We will need to put together a
climbing paper or report and a technical paper for the LSAW chapters,
state convention, and publications. I will be focusing on the climbing
aspect. Please make available pictures so we can create a CD to make
available to all the people involved. Many thanks to all the climbers
and their commitment and efforts. Steve suggested we get together in
the late summer or early fall for a celebration and exchange of war
stories! Congratulations and thank you!