I finally got
my pictures back, and was disappointed that there weren't more action shots. I guess we didn't take many pictures back in the day, because slides cost money.
The climb starts in the desert at 1200', and there are claims of sections of 4th class and low 5th. However, we didn't take a rope, and I only recall some exposed moves on steep rock before we got to the snow. The snow started at about 5200', 35 degrees, and gradually steepened to 55 degrees near the top. The summit is 10,834'.
After the climb, we faced a six mile hike back to the top of the tram. Unfortunately, the mountain was covered in snow, the trail was nowhere to be seen, and we had never been there before. Luckily, however, recent hikers had left tracks that we could follow. We got to the tram just after dark, in time for the last trip down. A group was there, and they were quite curious about us because of our clothing and gear. One was a horse breeder, another a professional flower arranger, and two were music producers.
After chatting for a few minutes, we asked if they would give us a ride back to our car. They said yes, but would we first join them for a celebratory spaghetti and wine dinner at a condo they had rented? The celebration was for a wildly successful recent recording they had made ("Steal Away" by Robbie Dupree--you can look it up); they were going to be on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in a week, and the Midnight Special show a week after that. They gave me a copy (45 rpm), and I still have it.
Long story short, they were in no hurry to rush dinner, and it was after midnight when we were finally on the road. Exhausted after the long day, we had to trade off driving every 15 minutes or so. We arrived home as the sun was coming up.
