|
Processed Image |
Description |
Original Image |
|---|---|---|
 (188 KB) |
The intrepid climbers set out | (945 KB) |
 (190 KB) |
We can still see the cars Let's make a break for it |
(952 KB) |
 (160 KB) |
Sandy Sperling demonstrating an ability to smile on the way to her doom |
(802 KB) |
 (162 KB) |
Sandy, still smiling. Later, I learned it was painted on with makeup. |
(811 KB) |
 (137 KB) |
First view of the headwall. We immediately took a split break. |
(718 KB) |
 (163 KB) |
Some of us tried to run away up the canyon's side | (821 KB) |
 (117 KB) |
Later, we wished we had run away. This is the team on the right side ascent. (The headwall is actually much steeper than this photo makes it seem -- the photographer is lying at an angle hugging the ground.)
You can see a climber in the center on "Pat's Rock", waiting |
(634 KB) |
 (155 KB) |
The ill-fated attempt to climb the left side of the headwall. Only three climbers successfully made the caprock and traverse. Five turned back, and four made a low traverse of the headwall and ascended on the right |
(796 KB) |
 (190 KB) |
Karen and Tom, awaiting their turn to attempt the left side ascent |
(922 KB) |
 (151 KB) |
The view from the top. Yes, that is just about straight down ... |
(770 KB) |
 (142 KB) |
More climbers on the right ascent | (743 KB) |
 (175 KB) |
The dirt axe from Hell. It owns George | (894 KB) |
 (92 KB) |
Tom, out on the headwall keeping an eye on us | (433 KB) |
 (52 KB) |
The photographer pioneers an innovative self-arrest technique using only his digital camera, a penknife, and a half-chewed mouthful of gorp |
(308 KB) |
 (174 KB) |
Tom makes walking straight up vertical rock look easy | (869 KB) |
 (73 KB) |
The exhileration of success! | (369 KB) |
 (74 KB) |
The exhaustion of success! | (372 KB) |
 (140 KB) |
Later, on the summit | (768 KB) |
 (136 KB) |
Everybody grows impatient as the photographer fuddles | (769 KB) |
 (115 KB) |
The photographer joins the group is his disreputable, battered hat |
(665 KB) |
 (121 KB) |
I'll get even with her for this shot | (700 KB) |
 (142 KB) |
Yet one more group photo | (733 KB) |
 (173 KB) |
George, as climbers descend the headwall behind him | (868 KB) |
 (169 KB) |
More climbers descending | (867 KB) |
 (115 KB) |
The headwall telephotoed from a distance. You can clearly see the sandy left side and the crumbling gray rock on the right |
(532 KB) |
 (67 KB) |
The photographer practicing his self-arrest-with-camera technique on level ground. It works, I guess ... |
(342 KB) |
 (93 KB) |
Tom took a shot of Karen and Brian as we left the headwall | (447 KB) |
