Jon Byers and I were lucky to eek out a quick run up Southern Man on Washington Column, a slightly thinner sister route to the left of the popular South Face.
After heading out of the Valley for some work, I came back with my friend Geoff Schellens to climb the Lost Arrow Spire Direct, a route famed for its outstanding location, quality climbing, and above all, dee-luxe bivy ledges- big enough to pitch a tent on! We decided to forgo the tent, bringing bivy sacks instead. We would both regret this...
The Falls Wall, with the Spire on the right
Cold morning in the nylon cage!
The route was everything we had hoped for: burly chimney climbing, thin aid splitters, and a summit which cannot be matched for sheer exposure. We spent two cold and windy nights on the best ledges on the route, and during the days yelled ourselves hoarse over the Yosemite Falls which thundered by just 500 ft. to our left.
Captain America eat your heart out!
Looking up from the Second Error bivy
As we rappeled the route, the full moon rose over the Clark Range, and we were treated to a lavender sunset which reminded me of the epic topout storm I experienced during the North America Wall. Lucky for us the night was calm and mild as we hiked back out.
some photos courtesy geoff schellens.
