Mark Grundon's Trip Reports

Lost Arrow Spire with William

2010-10-25T15:51:00.001-07:00

This October William came out to climb the Lost Arrow Spire with me. We did one day of training first. We squeaked the climb in before some serious rain came. We also had the luxury of having someone there to take pictures which is how we got all the great pictures. These are all Bill Russel shots.

West Face of the Leaning Tower with Mike

2010-08-12T19:59:00.001-07:00

On Aug 4th Mike and I started our training for climbing the Leaning Tower. We spent one night at the base after packing and preparing and spent one night on the Awahanee ledge. We climbed quick enough to avoid climbing in the hot afternoon sun. It was a great climb and Mike did a great job cleaning the steep route.

Skinger Family Climbing in the Valley

2010-07-09T18:32:00.001-07:00

Mike Royal Arches and more

2010-06-10T23:02:00.001-07:00

Mike came out to Yosemite for a few days. We were originally planning to climb in the Palisades but the weather was not cooperating at the time. So instead of sitting inside a tent shivering for 4 days we climbed some beautiful granite rocks in Yosemite Valley. We did a great progression from After Six to Munginella with some crack climbing class, to a big day on Royal Arches, and ended with a short romp up the Regular Route on Sunny Side Bench.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

Treasures of the Sierra Madre

2009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

On the way to Baja I spent a week in Monterrey area and was lucky enough to get some work through the El Potrero Chico Climbings School and climbed Space Boyz and Treasure of the Sierra Madre with Jeff. A really great route with some fun crack moves.

Aquarian Wall 5.10 A3

2009-10-17T12:59:00.001-07:00

An adventurous climb with lots of dirt filled cracks.

We climbed it in three days.

Golden Neeldes with Ryan

2009-08-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures climbing in July on a 100+ day milking the shade on Golden Needles which is barely in the shade. After a heat stroke on Nutcracker we ventured to this slightly shaded corner.

Climbing Southeast Buttress Cathedral Peak with Nazli in Toulumne

2009-07-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

On the fourth of July Weekend I had some great climbing with Nazli in the Toulumne area. Including climbing the Southeast buttress on Cathedral peak, which is a great moderate alpine rock route. The weather was perfect and we hit the climb in between waves of people and never had to wait for anyone.

After Six

2009-06-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

I started working for YMS this June. My first climb was with Jonathan and Nathalie from LA, on After Six. A great first rock climb, perhaps on of the best options for a first rock climb in the country?

AAI Mountaineers Route with Jamie

2009-06-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

My last trip in the East Side of the Sierra before heading to Yosemite for the summer with Jamie.

We had perfect conditions. The new snow had firmed up. There was no snow on the approach until we wanted it approaching Iceberg Lake, and the weather was finally back to beautiful Sierra sunny days.

Half Lurking Fear in a Day

2009-05-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Me and my friend Jordi from Spain attempted Lurking Fear in a Day on El Capitan. We were doing well but played it conservative and retreated when we saw thunderstorms approaching us.

CAG intro Mountaineering Matterhorn Peak

2009-05-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

CAG Matterhorn Trip:

We had perfect snow conditions in the East Colouir. It was a great three day trip.

East Ridge of Russel and Moutaineers Route

2009-05-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from a 5 day Russel and Whitney Trip with Eric and Brian. Here is the super exposed East Ridge.

Skinger on Bear Creek Spire

2009-05-28T16:10:00.001-07:00

Climbing the North East Ridge of Bear Creek spire with the Scott and Amy Skinger. Unfortunately the weather got extremely hot and the snow conditions for the descent were going to be unstable. We still had a great trip and got to climb part of the ridge. Plus we got to see some sweet avalanches from a safe vantage point.

2009-04-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

Climbing in Joshua Tree with Nazli and Mahi

Mahi sending the Headstone

Breakfast in the Six Pack

Skiing in the Sawtooth with Steve

2009-04-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Skiing in the Sawtooth with Steve

Upon Returning from Mexico I went right into a three day ski trip. I felt very lucky to be able to ski with Steve. Despite the harsh cold conditions the first to days and nights the trip ended up being an incredible experience. We were not focused on any objective or summit except to have a good time in a beautiful are and maybe ski some powder. With the storm the first day we were given the powder we wanted and the third day we got the sunny powder day everyone dreams of. I felt very lucky to get to spend three days with Steve and learned a lot from him.

Space Boyz with Jill 5.10d 1000'

2009-04-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Space Boyz With Jill

On my recent trip to Monterrey area I was lucky to pick up one day of guiding work at El Potrero Chico. I got to climb with Jill Gallagher a talented climber from Ohio who got to climb Space Boyz a one thousand pitch 5.10d bolted route. This was the longest route Jill had ever done and she was pretty excited. The climb is one the best routes in El Potrero Chico and is a pretty good reason to be excited!

Jill on the amazing airy 5.10d crux pitch of Space Boyz.

CAG Winter Mountaineering

2009-03-31T23:15:00.000-07:00

CAG Winter Mountaineering Sequoia March

I had an amazing trip in Sequoia National Park with eight great climbers and the special treat of guiding with my friend Lynette. We were able to find some nice frozen snow to practice crampon technique as seen above. This is always a challenge mid-winter. Four out of the eight climbers reached the summit of Alta peak.

We were able to practice some belayed climbing on some steeper sections as well as practice some rappelling on the descent. We enjoyed some nice mild Sierra weather for three great days.

Crampon practice Saturday morning.

Lenette in the "zone" in our three level kitchen.

Hiking in to camp the first day.

Snow school in a beautiful location!

Some steep climbing practice.

The group heading towards Alta peak.

Lenette on the last technical section of the peak.

Rappelling on the descent.

Climbing Space Shot 5.10 A2 in a day with D. Scott Borden

2009-03-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Borden coming up to the Space Orbit Ledge.
Borden on Space Shot 5.10 A2 in Zion Natl Park

AAI Whitney Winter Mountaineering Trip

2009-03-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

AAI Whitney Winter Mountaineering Trip
with Tom Thomas

Heading out of the parking lot at Whitney Portal on another beautiful California day.

Tom approaching Lower Boyscout Lake on a spring like day.

Tom getting settled in camp with the climbers from China practicing snow skills in the background.

Tom climbing up the nice boot pack in the glow of the sunrise.

Alpinglow!

Tom enjoying the first rays of the sun in a beautiful setting.

Coming down from Whitney after a fast successful climb. Returning to camp at 12:15 pm!

Darren and Tawney on Dark Shadows

2009-03-12T18:09:00.000-07:00

Darren and Tawney at Red Rocks

Darren coming to the top of the 4th pitch on Dark Shadows

Darren and Tawney on the hanging belay on Dark Shadows

Tawney Belaying at the Panty wall

Darren on the classic third pitch I got to climb twice!

Skiing with Gene on Red Cone Bowl

2009-03-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

Me skiing some very nice powder in Red Cone bowl. Thanks for the picture Gene.

Gene dropping in the bowl and getting some great powder turns.

Heading back up for another lap!

Mammoth Crest looking very snowy!

Gene on the skin up to the top of Red Cone

Gene getting some last powder turns before we hit the nordic trails.

2009-03-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

The Thaw Family Hit the February Thaw at Lee Vining

Melissa Cruising up the Warm up climb

Cindy on the warm-up route

Russ coming to the top of the climb

Melissa on the Right side of the Chouinard wall:

Skinger Group AAI in Joshua Tree

2009-02-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

Courtney cruising up the "Awful" crack.
Iman also on the dreaded Eff Eight.A tough first crack climb.

Amy at the Atlantis wall. Some crack routes that are a little more fun, then the day before.Atlantis wall.
Courtney also on the Atlantis wall.
Scott getting lowered off the classic 5.6 route.

Courtney climbing up the first pitch of Mike's Book on our multi-pitch adventure.
Amy topping out the first pitch of Mike's Book.Scott catching some of the last sun of the day.

The whole group enjoying the large ledge on top of the first pitch of Mike's Book.

CAG Intro to Winter Mountaineering Sequoia N.P.

2009-02-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

The sunset from camp with a few sequoia trees poking through the clouds.

Hiking in to peak 10,561.

Practicing self arrest.
More self arrest

The group heading down after a beautiful day of winter skills.

The group leaving the peak after snow school and an intro to avalanche awareness and heading back to camp.

Hiking out on the last day. The big snow storm finally comes.

Now it's really snowing!