First pics, then info.
Zach at the tunnel
Looking up at Folly and San J
Alex taking a break
Snow or something, I can't tell as the image is too small on photobucket.
Zach chills
Moving towards the chockstone
Alex freesoling the 5.5 next to the chockstone
Zach nearing the route
See Alex?
Thin ice, just a random shot on some rocks
Up, something we didn't run out of for a while.
Looking back
TEAM GINGERFORCE
More up
Alex making water
In orbit
Words:
We started from the cars at 0210, hiking up the road. We heeded 'J's advice and passed the shack instead of XC'ing around it. We walked around looking for the trail to the isthmus for a while, and eventually just went XC up the hill and hit the trail. We would gain and lose this trail many times today.
Took the trail to the area near the tunnel, which takes you through the bushwhacking. I should have taken charge and lead to the tunnel, but I did not, and I feel I am responsible for us getting lost in the plantlife for a while. We lost an hour or so bushwhacking through very thick plants. I was too passive and did not say "This is f*ing stupid, let's move out, assess, and find the tunnel". Find the tunnel and go through it. Do not ever "try" to find it through bushwhacking, just find it and avoid bushwhacking. 'J' said that if you don't find the tunnel, you may as well head back. He is right.
We dropped in. At this point, my job as a sort of guide for the area (this being my second time up Snow Creek) is essentially done, as the rest is easy routefinding. Rested, moved towards the chockstone. Had breakfast/chow prior to the chockstone. Alex moved up afterwards and freesolo'ed the chockstone. I chose to go up the class 3 bypass like last time. A fall here would be a poor decision (it's a decision at this point), as your team would have to take you back down to the guard station. The primary thing that comes to mind is access... the water people would probably restrict access to Snow Creek much more than previously.
Zach moved up with me after he gave the 5.5 a shot. The 3rd class bypass takes a while. We arrived at the top of the chockstone, but no Alex. He was far up the couloir, in view. I sent him a text message to tell him to slow down (cell service is available on route). Zach and I geared up, and headed up for the loooong slog that is Snow Creek Proper.
A glove flew down, which I grabbed. Met Alex up ahead. I went my usual snail's pace which I've earned through training (always slow, just me and my joints that are held together with hopes and dreams). Zach and I did a Ginger Charge up the mountain.
Eventually took a break near the final fork (so I think). We moved up and eventually Alex split off to get up faster. Zach and I kept going for the longest time, but we both became exhausted. Reaching the top of a ridge, we took another break (lots of breaks at this point due to exhaustion), yelled for Alex, I blew my whistle, etc.
Alex hit the summit at 1730. Zach and I didn't care to go to the top of San J, so no summit for us, except that highpoint to the east of San J. We hobbled down, calling for Alex, making headway for the Tram Station.
We both had many cramps and other problems the whole way back, aside from being destroyed. We stayed together the whole time, as any more splitting-off business would be retarded. We ran into what I assume was a German couple. I asked them when the last tram leaves, they said 2145. Big sigh of relief, as it was a little after 1900, and I thought last tram was at 1930 or something. I'm surprised they didn't hear my whistle.
We got to the tram station, where I purchased $19.30 of food, which would be a feast where sane people stock food, but up here it meant a small fruit punch gatorade, a chicken caeser salad, and a small cranberry turkey salad sandwich. It was good, and I was craving a salad, which makes my sexual orientation questionable in some circles.
My phone dies completely in cold-ish weather, so it was down for the count, and still is (charging). Zach's is fine. Alex sent him a message saying he'd gotten to the summit at 1730. Alex decided to go to the cabin up there to spend the night, sans food or bivy gear. We thought he was in there sending the messages, but he couldn't find it in the dark. Anywho, Alex will add more on this when he gets back. He said he was fine, no need for SAR/RMRU.
We went on the next tram down, where Zach's friend was able to pick us up and take us to our car, and outta town.
More later, added by Zach and Alex.
I know I've broken these rules before, and "nobody is perfect" (a retarded excuse), but I have some "tips" or pointers that are important, and should have been followed.
1. Moving as a team means moving as a team, from start to finish, all the time, the whole time. A group should decide on this or otherwise at the START of the day. A group can split up as we did, no problem, but we did not decide on this. It turned out to be a pair and a solo climber at the end, and communicating through means that aren't face to face in the mountains is unreliable.
2. As a team, move at a good pace that the slowest person can maintain. Never move more than earshot away from the other team members. Those in the military obviously know about working as a team. Never leave a man behind, etc. Follow this until the end of everything, period. I was left behind a few times on my last trip up here, as I was hit by rockfall before we hit any snow, which caused my leg to seize up and slowed me down considerably. I then ate with everyone else, but everyone else packed up and left while I was halfway through cooking. I ended up having to play catch-up that time, yelling to find the way through the bypass, though I was supposed to climb the 5.5 section roped and protected. One man left behind means the team is no longer a team.
3. If something is wrong, speak up. Don't worry about hurting people's feelings. I typically pride myself on how I typically say what I mean, how I mean it, etc, and not caring about offending anyone, as that would be their problem and not mine. I did not speak up, as I should have lead us to the tunnel in the brush. This is why I take responsibility for our getting lost in the thick brush and Scrub Oak trees for a long time trying to find the trail, even though I was not in the lead. I did not take the lead. That is the bottom line. Take the initiative.
Out of this, I am changing the way I do things from now on. If I ever have to "guide" (bear with me on terms, not saying I'm AMGA or paid!) a team up, I will take full responsibility for the group. That means from start to finish, and by finish, I mean the cars. Everyone must be in full understanding of what's going on at all times, where everyone is at all times, etc etc. I learned many of these things as a Soldier, and I am disappointed in myself for not being disciplined enough to follow my training and knowledge.
There is more to this, and I will add more as time goes by.
