"On the weekend of July 11, Deborah and Adrian climbed
Banner Peak along with Carey Gregg, Russell Hayward and Ray Kablanow. The climb
was planned within a backpacking trip in the Ritter Range of Ansel Adams
Wilderness as preparation for the climb to follow in three weeks of Thunderbolt
Peak and North Pallisades Peak. Unfortunately smoke obscured some of the
normally incredible views up at the summit, but the journey was beautiful. The
beginning of our climb followed a gorgeous creek bordered by a profusion of
wildflowers. The climb up the snowfield that separates Banner Peak and Mt.
Ritter was very steep, but even through the haze we had incredible views of
numerous lakes. Although the summit itself was precarious, we spent a good hour
relaxing on a large rock just adjacent and enjoyed our lunch. We descended to
the col between Ritter and Banner from which Deborah and Adrian attempted
Ritter. We scrambled across a small bergshrund at the top of the steep snow
slope onto the rocks of Ritter proper but after a short way we found the route
ahead of us was steep and confusing and remembering a passage from the guide
book that discussed the deaths of climbers on Ritter we paused to reconsider.
After a short but fun discussion we decided to descend. Of course the way
down is always the most difficult part of any climb, but we were able to
glissade down part of the snow field which sped up our pace a bit."
"Thank you for allowing us to know our climb is making a difference. Your
contribution to City Of Hope will support important research to help find a
cure for cancer and motivate us to make each summit!
Kablanow. The climb
was planned within a backpacking trip in the Ritter Range of Ansel Adams
Wilderness as preparation for the climb to follow in three weeks of Thunderbolt
Peak and North Pallisades Peak. Unfortunately smoke obscured some of the
normally incredible views up at the summit, but the journey was beautiful. The
beginning of our climb followed a gorgeous creek bordered by a profusion of
wildflowers. The climb up the snowfield that separates Banner Peak and Mt.
Ritter was very steep, but even through the haze we had incredible views of
numerous lakes. Although the summit itself was precarious, we spent a good hour
relaxing on a large rock just adjacent and enjoyed our lunch. We descended to
the col between Ritter and Banner from which Deborah and Adrian attempted
Ritter. We scrambled across a small bergshrund at the top of the steep snow
slope onto the rocks of Ritter proper but after a short way we found the route
ahead of us was steep and confusing and remembering a passage from the guide
book that discussed the deaths of climbers on Ritter we paused to reconsider.
After a short but fun discussion we decided to descend. Of course the way
down is always the most difficult part of any climb, but we were able to
glissade down part of the snow field which sped up our pace a bit."