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TR: Flagpole

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 2:27 pm
by shuteye
I think this one really good photo that someone else took made me want to climb Flagpole Peak:

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It"s not in the least remote, has no route-finding problems, not really any exposure, or much climbing for that matter—but damn, it looks great and the views are pretty good too.

I left the trail here:
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Here's where I should have left the trail. The other approach was fine but this way might have added some scrambling.
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The cliff ahead seems to bar progress, but there's an easy ramp to the left.
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Looking back:
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The top:
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Echo Peak?
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Desolation
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Lake Tahoe Basin
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Two hours car to car, going slow.

On the way out I must have met 15 backpackers in 20 minutes on the PCT in next to Echo Lake, 5 or so parties, all the most cheerful and friendly people I've met in months.

Re: TR: Flagpole

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 2:43 pm
by maverick
Cool views, looks like a fun and easy day hike, thanks for sharing it. :thumbsup:

Re: TR: Flagpole

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 3:16 pm
by shuteye
Though Flagpole wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, I had fun. Has anyone scrambled the ridge to Emerald Point? I believe there's a mysterious 5.7 called Section 20 on it, but Bob Burd seems to say that some 3, 4, and 5 easy is required to follow the path of least resistance.

Re: TR: Flagpole

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:33 pm
by zip
Section 20 is actually on the giant south face of Emerald Point. Approach by following Eagle Cr about a half mile past "ninety foot wall" to a ravine which can be climbed (brush and talus) to the base of a large whitish dihedral. Section 20 starts in a 5.6 chimney/ramp just to the left.