High Sierra Topix

I haven't decided on the dates yet. Timing will depend on the snowpack and fire/smoke conditions. How much of a lead time would you need to be able to fly out, Jason?

A month maybe. Thanks. Apparently there's already been some snowfall in Mammoth, right?

Yes, but nothing significant, and you can't see it from all the smoke anyways.

I received a text from Dean Rossnau that he found a rappel cordellette in one of the chutes between Starr and Riegelhuth minaret. He's asking if anyone in our group left one there.

Hmmm, I am a bit confused by that description. There's some fairly obvious noise in these tracks, but here's where the group I was in went: https://caltopo.com/m/RRU98. I hope this helps.

Hey all, Jason Nark here. Looks like I’ll have a published piece in The Alpinist by the end of the year. Currently in the editing phase and then being the Alpinist, and zero to no climbing experience, some of my terminology is off.

I had mentioned that Matthew traveled west each summer to climb “technical routes”. Does is there are more detailed way to describe that? Class 4? Does anyone recall specific climbs or summits Matthew made that impressed you? How would you describe his climbing?

Jason,

For me personally, what stood out most about Matthew's climbing was his get out there and do it sort of mountaineers attitude, his obvious love of climbing and the Sierra. Not so much any one particular climb. One climb that stands out though, that I believe he did, is Clyde Minaret named after Norman Clyde (also a teacher). Class 4 with the Minarets' notorious bad rock, but a beautifully aesthetic tower.

I think he did a combination of alpine scrambles and technical climbing, someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Since he was out solo before his disappearance, he was doing alpine scrambles. Hope that helps just a little.

Thanks. That’s helpful.

Common Loon, forgive me, but were you on the search I was on and if so, what's your full name.

Yes... I was on the last one, in the Minarets. Paul Sumner. Clark and Henry are my good friends, and we checked some of the summit registers (also w/ Scott). PM me if you need any more info.