Leader – John Stevens
Participants – Doug Laidlaw, Pat Murphy
The three of us climbed Henderson Ridge (5.4, 4 pitches, Grade III) on September 24, 2016. This climb was designed to take the aspiring multi-pitch alpine trad leader and provide experience on leading pitches and building anchors. The alpine setting helps to frame decision making based on weather, route finding, and timing of lead swaps. The weather was mostly cooperative although it did get cold on the upper portion of the climb.
With a long approach and colder weather, not to mention a long bushwhack off the top of this route, it makes for a long day. I’d say that Henderson Ridge is an ideal training ground to simulate a real alpine environment that can be transported to other mountains around the world, just not to include the higher elevation element as this route runs between 4,000-5,000 feet or so.
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- Doug Laidlaw topping out on Pitch 4
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- Doug leading Pitch 3
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- Pat showing off his bomber anchor
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- Henderson Ridge from the bottom
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- Doug with the Pinnacle behind him.
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- Pat braving the diving board on Pitch 3
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- Pat approaching the diving board
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- John belaying.
