Скачать или смотреть FIFTH FINGER WINTER ASCENT | THE ART OF ALPINE ASCENT

The recent extreme winter storms in Southern California have left familiar landscapes blanketed in snow, with rare and never before seen alpine landscapes appearing in the lower peaks and rocky areas.

We wanted to take advantage of these unprecedented conditions and attempt an ascent of The Fifth Finger of Five Fingers Mountain, the tallest and most difficult of the rocky Southern Sierra pinnacles that form this magnificent and imposing summit block.

We planned a North Face ascent, which ensured we got the most shaded and snowy alpine conditions. We did not see any other footprints in the snow and had to blaze our own trail the entire way up. After some challenging route finding and mixed technical alpine climbing, we were finally able to reach the final summit block.

We were treated to huge views with the crystal clear air letting us see from Telescope Peak to the San Gabriels, with Owens Peak looming large ahead of us. This was truly an alpine experience like no other.


WARNING!!
Alpinism and Mountaineering are both inherently extremely dangerous, and potentially life threatening activities. Do not go into the mountains without proper training, clothing, crampons, ice axe, partners and expertise. Not only do you put your own life at risk, but also the lives of the brave volunteer SAR teams that need to rescue you in the event you get in trouble in the mountains.

Music by The Supersonics