One evening at the gym, Josh approached me excited about some crazy trip he wanted to go on.  Apparently, all his usual climbing partners were otherwise engaged, and he realized that I, being a grad student, was infinitely available to drop everything, and disappear into the backcountry for over a week. On top of that, he knew I had recently finished my first 50 mile running race, so he assumed I was up to suffer.  It didn’t hurt that I apparently have a reputation for smiling a lot: I smile constantly when I’m uncomfortable, and I’m always uncomfortable at the gym because there’s a crazy group of guys, running around in colorful spandex, groping each other. So, given my perceived ability to suffer with a smile, Josh was convinced I would be a good partner. I tentatively agreed to go, and Josh emailed me a writeup by Galen Rowell describing our climbing objective. “Netherworld”? Ok, I was in.

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Camping out in Alabama Hills, LeeAnne and I were planning on heading back to the Whitney region in the next day or two but had no idea what we wanted to do. I was going through guides and the mountain project app on my phone looking for inspiration, and eventually came across a comment by Ben on the Star Trekkin’ page. From there I re-read his TR on star trekkin’ and with new motivation, by the morning it was decided we’d give the Star Trekkin’ – Mithral link-up car to car a shot.  It had been a while since my last C2C day, I was overdue for another anyway. More »

For many people, the Mt. Whitney region is quintessential High Sierra, the end of the John Muir Trail and the highest point in the 48. For others, the Incredible Hulk, with Yosemite-quality climbing in the backcountry is the best the Sierra has to offer. Those more romantically inclined will name Tuolomne or maybe the Evolution range as the Sierra’s best for their incredible beauty. For many in Pullharder, Lone Pine Peak is the Sierra’s gem. But for some of us, the Palisades are synonymous with this great range. And the best way to take it all in is to climb ‘em all. More »

Consider this, the hint of the century, consider this: “…” Then Michael Stipe stops. He does not tell us the hint of the 20^th century. Curses! Well how about I’ll tell you the hint of the 21^st century: More »

Tioga Pass opened today! So it’s a good time to hype Tuolomne, and especially the most bizarre and very amazing rock formation called Matthes Crest. When we put together the Pullharder High Sierra Favorites List earlier this year, I realized we didn’t have a report on Matthes Crest. Not because we didn’t love it, but most likely because it was “too easy” for a Pullharder writeup. But easy doesn’t mean unworthy. If it’s too easy, run it out. If that’s too easy, solo it. If that’s still too easy, solo it barefoot… More »

“Penetrating so many secrets, we cease to believe in the unknowable. But there it sits, nevertheless, calmly licking its chops.” – H.L. Mencken

Indeed, there is nothing you can do to eliminate uncertainty on the Evolution Traverse. It’s too big. More »

Some routes hog all the glory. Others that are just as good are cut from the list, wallow in obscurity, and cry at home alone in their bedroom, wishing they could make the team or be in with the popular crowd. More »

After a week in the High Sierra in winter, the Pullharder crew was ravaged. Konstantin downed a full packet of hot dogs and a pizza. Ben slept like a baby in the back seat of the car. Shay’s sunburn and stench were epic. And Pullharder Ducky, our fourth? Not an emotion. He don’t eat, don’t sleep, and never complains. More »

Disappointed that our top-secret really big plans had fallen through for various reasons (weather, partners, & psych), Ben Horne (aka the zoom locomotive) suggested that we try an alternate plan that was merely regular-big. More »