EISPIRATEN

Phil (lik2hik) and I climbed Thunderbolt Peak (14,003') via the Southwest Chute #1. We started out from the South Lake trailhead at 4a, joined by Mark who was later forced to turn back partway up the 600' snow chute for lack of crampons. We were all surprised by the huge amounts of snow still remaining in the Palisade Basin. Although we carried climbing gear to scale the 5.9 summit block, it was not to be. Shortly after we reached the summit, while we were signing the register and Phil was practicing his roping techniques 8) , a thunderstorm hit dropping rain and hail, and charging the air with electricity . It didn't take long to decide that we needed to bail. Back at T-Bolt Pass the sun was shining and we enjoyed a beer (thanks, Phil!) before getting back to the trailhead by 11p.
Pix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21042415@N ... 406084379/

Very, very nice Dave

Pictures are making me jealous

Dave and Phil,

Nice work my friends, highly impressive. where are you climbing next?????

hint hint

AWESOME CLIMB DAVE & PHIL!!!!!!!!!!

i might be Green with envy, but i am so happy for you. one for the record books!!! now you and Phil just have to work on your Monty Montana skills for the next assault! Yee Haw!

beautiful pix Dave!

Dave -
That was an awful lot of fun! We need to do that again. Lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way, but it added up to one great adventure.
Probably a little late now, but I should have told you I flunked Rodeo 101...
Sorry pardner.

Thanks Norma

Thanks Patrick

Tina: Does that mean I'd have to carry 3 beers???

at Phil....

Awesome Dave and Phil 8) Thunderbolts on Thunderbold - how appropriate
Here is a website that might interest you for August
http://www.snwburd.com/bob/challenge/2010

Sweet trip guys! awesome pics!!!

Patrick~Thanks buddy-we need to get out and tear up some more watershed together one of these days!

Tina~I'll definitely keep you in da loop.

Norma~Rather than a remedial roping class for Phil, I'm leaning towards the "triple shoulder stand" maneuver, once you get healed up.

Cy~I did just a couple of the Sierra Challenge days a few years ago (there's ten of them!) and got whupped good. Bob Burd adds a whole new [humbling] dimension to "peakbagging".

Johnny~Thanks!

Very cool, Dave.

Congratulations and awesome pix/TR Dave and Phil! I have Palisades on my radar for next month..but no technical stuff for me, no way!