Dark Star, 5.10C, Sierra Nevada

Dark Star is the route in yellow on the right

End of summer... time for a climb! My buddy David and I took a stab at Dark Star. A LONG alpine trad route in the Sierra. We got a 3:30 start, hiked the 7 miles to the base and began the climb. The crux pitch right off the deck, I threw scissors and David threw paper, I got to lead it!

Did the entire route car to car. My ankle was sore but tolerable and it was great to get out and push it again.

The first tower had some great climbing on it and the second tower had a cool chimney and 10b crack. After that it turned into many rope lengths of simul-climbing until we eventually decided to just coil the rope and keep on going (4th and low 5th class terrain).

Looking down from the top of the first (.10c crux) pitch.

David following the first pitch.

At the base of the second tower looking back down...

Summit of Temple Crag, 12,999'

Still a long descent and walk back to the car!