Sunday was a bit more exciting than it needed to be as there were 3 teams planning to do the Red Dihedral. Sophie and Sherry were in no rush, as they were planning on spending a few days up there - but there were a couple of guys that we were competing against. Long story short, we passed them (they pitched out the first 3 short pitches, we linked them with a 70 meter rope), which I think worked out better for everyone as we never saw each other again. It was a beautiful day, but quite windy and cold in the upper half of the route, as is typical for the Hulk. We were wearing all of our layers as we topped over the ridge at 11am - to be greeted by warm sunshine! After soaking in the sun rays and snacking on some lunch, we finished the final pitch to the summit (the 5.6 chimney and squeeze suck so bad... next time I'm trying the 5.10 variation). After signing the register we began the labourous descent down the ridge, and then gully - which takes a while and is as tiring as the RD route itself.

At the base, we hydrated, ate a real lunch, and packed up, eventually rolling out of camp around 4:30pm. We made it to the car as it was getting dark, and faced the real crux of the day: the long drive home to the Bay! We decided not to push our luck and stopped around Sonora for a few hours of sleep before finishing the drive, showered/slept a few more hours and rolled into work on Monday morning as if nothing had happened. I love going to work on Monday physically exhausted and mentally relaxed!

	Hiking up Little Slide Canyon, on the way up to the Incredible Hulk - one of the most beautiful spots in California		Beautiful waterfalls on the way...

	The Incredible Hulk	The boulder hopping with a heavy pack gets a bit old by the end!

	Amazingness	Can't stop snapping...	Yes, this is snow, and lots of it!

		Upper Hulk including the very prominent Sunspot Dihedral	The Red Dihedral (shaded), the penultimate pitch the route is named after

	Welcome to the condo!	Arranging camp	Bundled up already

	We were in a rush passing a party in the beginning, and it was cold - so no pics. This is on top of pitch 4 or 5... our second pitch with a 70 meter rope.

		Melissa exiting the Red Dihedral, photo by Pavel	We are the two dots in the middle. Two pitches with 70 meter rope to get there.

	Melissa and I at the top of the Red Dihedral pitch (our pitch #2). Photo by Pavel	The amazing 5.10a splitter higher up

	So amazing	Shattered Pillar (climb goes around left)	Some of the more badass routes visible here

	A pitch below the top		Some bouldery 5.9 move higher up

		The winds picked up and it was cold up there! No sun for us today until we hit the top of the ridge...	Finally sun at the top of the ridge!

	Last pitch to the summit (our 7th)		The view from the top is amazing

	Can you find the tent?	Tent	The wicked summit register (pelican box)

	It is hard to be leaving this place!		Until next time, Hulk! (The couloir on the next gets skied in the spring!)

	Small creek crossing with nice logs	You used to have to cross the creek by wading in a nasty swamp. Now there's a nice trail and these logs!