Tuolumne: Aqua Knobby + Lucky Streaks, Murphy Creek
June 16-17, 2012
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On Saturday, despite a noon start we managed to climb both Aqua Knobby on Pywiack Dome and Lucky Streaks on Fairview Dome - fun in the sun!! Lucky Streaks was so hot that our feet got baked and due to the sharp crystals/knobs, were quite painful by the time we hit the top... but that just made dinner and beer taste that much better! We met with Pavel in the evening, he had climbed Mt Conness and also managed to get a few turns of skiing... we ended up cragging together on Sunday at Murphy Creek. We did two climbs there but both were spectacular - Penguin Cafe was one of the most memorable climbs I've ever done, with a dazzling crux that we all had fun figuring out. Then we did Flouridation which was much dirtier and of lesser quality.

A lowlight was the huge amount of bugs this weekend - there were millions of mosquitos on the approach to Murphy Creek (and Fairview Dome was equally bad around the base) - yikes! And camping by Mono Lake on Saturday, there were insane amounts of moths, gnats, and all kinds of other questionable insects trying to make our life miserable... combined with tonnes of pollen that just killed me with allergies overnight. That was not fun...

  Aqua Knobby - the 5.9 start variation. Look at all the knobs, cool! Tenaya Lake seen from Aqua Knobby Finishing the first pitch  
  Aqua Knobby - the 5.9 start variation. Look at all the knobs, cool! Tenaya Lake seen from Aqua Knobby Finishing the first pitch

  First pitch of Aqua Knobby Second pitch start  
  First pitch of Aqua Knobby Second pitch start

  Melissa leading the third pitch of Aqua Knobby  
  Melissa leading the third pitch of Aqua Knobby

  On top of Pywiack Dome Lucky Streaks, first pitch  
  On top of Pywiack Dome Lucky Streaks, first pitch

  Changing into rock shoes on the small ledge after the snow Cool clouds above Melissa coming up the first pitch  
  Changing into rock shoes on the small ledge after the snow Cool clouds above Melissa coming up the first pitch

  Awesome jamming on the 5.10a second pitch  
  Awesome jamming on the 5.10a second pitch

  Starting up the crux pitch, 5.10d After the crux :) There is actually a tricky 5.10b section here turning a small roof  
  Starting up the crux pitch, 5.10d After the crux :) There is actually a tricky 5.10b section here turning a small roof

  Coming up our 65 meter pitch (3 & 4 combined) The 5.9 traverse pitch, easier than it looks  
  Coming up our 65 meter pitch (3 & 4 combined) The 5.9 traverse pitch, easier than it looks

  The last pitch - my feet were killing me at this point and I just wanted to be on top! Good thing that pitch only takes 5-10 minutes... Lucky Streaks as seen from the base Tenaya Lake  
  The last pitch - my feet were killing me at this point and I just wanted to be on top! Good thing that pitch only takes 5-10 minutes... Lucky Streaks as seen from the base Tenaya Lake

  80+ degrees F - it's hard to motivate to climb! Starting up Penguin Cafe - awesome climb! The crux roof is well defined above me :)  
  80+ degrees F - it's hard to motivate to climb! Starting up Penguin Cafe - awesome climb! The crux roof is well defined above me :)

  Between a rock and a hard place - how do you get through the roof!? Enjoying the shade  
  Between a rock and a hard place - how do you get through the roof!? Enjoying the shade

  Attempting to bust through the roof with very unconventional moves In the end, this was the winning move for me :) Finally got my head through the slot  
  Attempting to bust through the roof with very unconventional moves In the end, this was the winning move for me :) Finally got my head through the slot

  Finally pulling the crux on Penguin Cafe  
  Finally pulling the crux on Penguin Cafe

  Home free from here Melissa starting Penguin Cafe - the beginning is steep but very secure  
  Home free from here Melissa starting Penguin Cafe - the beginning is steep but very secure

  Trying to figure out the dazzling moves  
  Trying to figure out the dazzling moves

  Liebacking the crux  
  Liebacking the crux

  Looking up at the ominous roof Pavel starting Penguin Cafe  
  Looking up at the ominous roof Pavel starting Penguin Cafe

  Trying to figure out the crux move :) Head fits through much easier without a helmet!  
  Trying to figure out the crux move :) Head fits through much easier without a helmet!

   
 

  Powerful lieback Starting up Flouridation, a much lower quality 5.11a next door Trying to find footholds while enduring painful finger locks  
  Powerful lieback Starting up Flouridation, a much lower quality 5.11a next door Trying to find footholds while enduring painful finger locks

  Good to know your belayer is paying attention  
  Good to know your belayer is paying attention

  Starting Flouridation Pavel starting his turn  
  Starting Flouridation Pavel starting his turn

  Pavel on Flouridation Powerful bulge  
  Pavel on Flouridation Powerful bulge

  Simul-rappelling Since we were in a huge convoy of slow cars, pulled over to check this place out on the way home  
  Simul-rappelling Since we were in a huge convoy of slow cars, pulled over to check this place out on the way home

  Giant sequoia  
  Giant sequoia

   
 

  He wasn't too bothered by us Giant fallen sequoia  
  He wasn't too bothered by us Giant fallen sequoia

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