Since this forum seems to be dying for lack of interest I will post further observations in this thread. Apparently none of you are climbing this summer or none of you climb in the Minarets? Well, not me. I now have withered forearms, but dam, I could run at 14,000 feet.
As much or more than any part of the Sierra the words "fourth class" in the Minarets are an anachronism. If it says fourth class it only means it was done first without a rope. This excludes peakbaggers absolutley. So this leaves climbers. And most of the climbs are rated fourth class or easy fifth, which many climbers figure is peakbagging. And so after a brilliant early climbing history the area sees little activity now. Too bad. If climbers would just get past the fourth class ratings they'd learn so much. Like how the Minarets are a total rubble pile. While most Sierra climbs have loose rock, at least one can envision some mother stone below the looseness. Not so The Minarets. They have no visible means of support.
And sharp edges everywhere. Saw my partner's weighted rappel sling cut on an edge 1/5 of the way through with body weight (stopped him NOW and re-adjusted the sling, plus tied a new one to back it up. We were only 500 feet up though.) Never seen that happen before, a sling cutting right before my eyes. And the loose rock. Did I mention the loose rock?
Anyway, big fun in the mountains. Can't wait to finish them off. Who's in?
