This was composed of crystallized blocks of basalt, unfortunately set at an angle. Many of the blocks moved under me, and a few did break loose and plunge down the precipice; but I was moving up so fast that my weight was on new holds before the old ones fell away. 9 8 0. Herb is light and climbs with great delicacy—an all-important virtue for a leader on loose rock. Agathla Peak is a peak south of Monument Valley, Arizona, which rises over 1500 feet (457 meters) above the surrounding terrain. Herb led out to the left and then straight up over an intrusion of rotten light colored rock. Since the Spaniards had a tendency to pin the name “Captain” on any outstanding formation, we shall refer to our peak by its Indian name. Agathla Peak, 7,100 ft above from sea level has a prominence of 1500 ft. the agathla peak (also called el capitan) in the shade of an isolated cloud - monument valley - el capitan monument valley stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Looks like a grand adventure. To the Navajo, the peak, thrusting some 1500 feet above the surrounding plain, is a sacred place. We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads. In the spring of 1949 Virginia and I were making a lecture film in Arches National Monument in Utah. I tied in, and then heard Herb and Lee call for me to start up. At 7.30 P.M. we began the delicate journey back down the knifelike ridge. They had been there since morning and had had time to circle the peak. Big Snake came from what is called Sugar Loaf near Mexican Hat, Utah slithering its way down, and eventually ending up coiled around Agathla Peak or (what Kit Carson called) “El Capitan.” The Owl promised to look over Big Snake until he came back to life again. This was the most dangerous lead. Find the perfect el capitan route stock photo. The peak is an eroded volcanic plug consisting of, ‘volcanic breccia cut by dikes of Minette’. El Capitan Yosemite. Here he placed another piton and did a straight hand pull to reach a small sloping ledge. Driving two pitons to anchor ourselves and the equipment, we settled down to await the dawn. All other faces and ridges were composed of a light-colored sandstone type of rock, without chimneys or ledges. Peaks by Region. USGS peak Link Point (5774 ft, Saint George Canyon quad, in Mohave county, NAD27 36.5016/-113.6786) 'lion' matches these AZ Peaks entries. First ascent of the peak was done in May 1949 by Herb Conn, Ray Garner, and Lee Pedrick. This was a poorly considered decision—further evidence of our fatigue. This was the first time we had been together since leaving the talus. I then led out to the left and up to the top of a block about 30 feet above him. #1 Agathla Peak Mountain Updated: 2019-12-30 Agathla Peak is a peak south of Monument Valley, Arizona, which rises over 1500 feet above the surrounding terrain. USGS peak Chalk Mountain (5938 ft, Picture Mountain quad, in Gila county, NAD27 33.9878/-111.1515) USGS peak Chalk Peak (5194 ft, Rattlesnake Spring quad, in Greenlee county, NAD27 33.0726/-109.2051) 1 2 0. Mar 24, 2017 - Internet Store of Worldwide Souvenirs - Acrylic Fridge Magnet: United States. El Capitan is the Spanish name, Agathla Peak the anglicized version of the Navajo name. Ten years later I again visited the area and studied the peak at close range. 5 4 1. My Map. Here was a very different view from that which greets the eye from the summit of a snow peak. Near the end of the 70-foot lead Herb had to negotiate an overhang. Download this stock image: Rock called El Capitan also called Agathla near Monument Vally Arizona USA - B9XYB8 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. Over time, the surrounding rock (probably sandstone) eroded leaving hard, erosion-resistant breccias and minette behind. Finally he had a hole about one-half inch deep—and a pair of worn-out arms. A peak’s prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. !, Kyloe in the Woods 392 K HELP - VERTIGO !! Agathla, též Agathla Peak, navažsky Aghaałą́, španělsky El Capitan (nezaměňovat se skalní stěnou El Capitan v Yosemitském údolí v Kalifornii) je nápadný skalní suk, který se nachází 11 km (7 mil) severním směrem od městečka Kayenta (navažsky Tó Dínéeshzhee, respektive Toh-Den-Nas-Shai) v Navaho County v americkém státě Arizona High quality Agathla gifts and merchandise. Agathlan was first on my list. The exposure was bad, and the basalt blocks were loose, but they were clean and well balanced. When I reached the summit of the ridge, we held another powwow to decide where to bivouac. It’s defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. Herb climbed straight up a chimney, about 60 feet, to a small ledge. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "agathla" Flickr tag. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. El Capitan Yosemite. We could see the weird land of the Navajo spread out to the north, east and west; we could see the Hopi mesas to the south—all bathed in the blood red of the sinking sun. We had been on the peak exactly 24 hours. USGS Agathla Peak: Geology; Age of rock: Jurassic, Upper Triassic: Type of rock: Wingate Sandstone: Climbing; First ascent: 1966 Fred Beckey, Harvey Carter: Easiest route: class 5.x climbing: This Owl Rock is not to be confused with another located in Arches National Park in Utah. The fourth rappel measured 105 feet directly down to the top of the comfortable block above Herb’s first lead. Join/Login. We did find a chimney which brought us directly onto the summit ridge. Definitely want to climb it. While there are no photographs of Minette in my minerals textbook, there are images of several other lamprophyres. Lee belayed me up to his position, and I led a 100-foot face climb up and slightly to the left. El Capitan Agathla Peak. Our ridge curved up to an impossible angle. Volcanic Plug in Navajo Nation Reservation, NM. Light Pink . I roped down 100 feet and then worked leftward to a slight depression in the vertical face. Beautiful El Capitan Aka Agathla peak > 1 year ago. Finally he started to move up. I flattened against the face as tightly as I could, wishing I were about 60 pounds smaller. Check out our agathla peak selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. My hand dislodged a sizable boulder which struck my right thigh. Here I placed two more pitons and rigged a sling. 4 6 0. We roped down into the couloir. Capitan Yosemite. Monument Valley, Agathla Peak On Green Slabs, Mount Lemmon, AZ 220 K The Chiracahua Mountains 240 K Joe Plassmann in the Catalinas 416 K With Jen Swenson on Green Slabs 372 K With Dave C., Kyloe in the Woods 464 K Daaaaeeve pulling hard!! Half an hour later, I felt a tug on the fixed rope—the end of which I had retained throughout. It is crafted from polyester poplin with a round silhouette with tailored edges, in a versatile solid hue for a look that works in both traditional and modern settings. When Lee and Herb were down, we all pulled on the rope—and it jammed! It’s defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. Browse 141,712 el capitan stock photos and images available, or search for climbing el capitan or el capitan theatre to find more great stock photos and pictures. That evening we discussed the possibilities and decided to try the northwest dike route. Started rock and ice climbing a couple years ago and love both. We dozed a few times, but sleep was impossible on that steep slope. 0 • PLACE. 2 6 1. Arizona. There was also one small lunch, which did not even begin to dent our appetites. Then Herb led 50 feet up the steepest pitch of the knife ridge. No need to register, buy now! Latest. El Capitan Yosemite. Boulder climber. May 15, 2012 - Agathla Peak by Alex Noriega was photo of the day on 11th May 2012. Here we started climbing again; but, as Herb remarked, it was the type of climbing we had had every right to expect at intervals on the way up the wall. 2 0 1. When Lee belayed me up to his position, I could see what certainly must be the summit of the ridge only half a rope-length above. We built a cairn about three feet high and placed an upright pointed rock atop it. Three more pitches of about 50 feet each, and we heard Herb’s yell of triumph. El Capitan Rock Climbing. Agathla Peak Climbing Notes Be the first to submit your climbing note! Comments Remove this comment. This happened to be the last horizontal ledge we were to see for many weary hours. As it was, the only result was a painful bruise. Climbing photos at Agathla Peak uploaded by users of mountain-forecast.com Agathla Peak is an eroded volcanic neck consisting of volcanic breccia cut by dikes of an unusual igneous rock called minette. Navajo legend places a spring here, but we found none. That doesn’t seem to stop lots of people from climbing it for the view. jgill. I placed a piton on the top of the dike ridge, tied a short sling in place, and rappelled down a doubled rope made of two 120-foot nylons. As we marched triumphantly over the “piles of wool,” we looked over our shoulders with mixed emotions toward the towering Agathlan. According to the fine folks at Wikipedia, this means ‘much wool’. This time I could not even find a semblance of a ledge for a rappel station. Save this to your dream destinations or spots to try list! He went up a broad chimney, passing an old piton and sling I had left on the reconnaissance in 1947, about 100 feet to a stance on a sloping ledge. He hammered away for a long time and was rewarded with only a slight depression. Far below, we could see lanterns moving from our camp toward the base of the peak. Fatigue was now catching up with us; it was evident from the condition of our nerves. Here we found grass good enough for grazing in a country where good grass is rare. Einer unserer Tagesausflüge endete in einer wunderschönen Gegend auf einem Berg, der als Agathla Peak (Navajo: Aghaaa, spanisch: El Capitan) bekannt ist, ist ein Gipfel südlich des Monument Valley, Arizona, der sich über 457 Meter über dem umliegenden Gelände erhebt. My throat was as dry as parchment, and coated with dust. Within this pile we left a film box containing the record of our climb. My Stats. Yosemite Valley. Macbook Pro 2016. By the time we reached the top of the dike, the sun had set. We held a quick powwow and decided to go on and chance a bivouac. Any attempt to yell just closed it off. Clinging to this sling, I called for Herb and Lee to come down. Double . Yosemite Valley. © 2006 - 2020 RICHARD DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY|ProPhoto Site. Log a climb. At 7.30 all six of us started up, carrying 50 pitons, 40 tamp-in bolts (plus two sets of drills, tamp tools and hammers), 15 karabiners, four 120-foot lengths of nylon, 100 feet of quarter-inch hemp sling, a 16-mm. Tags: table mountain lions lion head devils devils peak table mountain devils peak lions head cape town south africa three peak challenge, cape town, devils peak, lions head, table mountain, south africa, three peaks, 3 peaks challenge, za, table mountain devils peak lions head 3 peaks cape town south africa za The rock steepened after pitch one so it seemed like the climbing would get harder. As with most brothers, there is some rivalry between them, and very little outward show of affection. At the top of the left wall of the chimney, he found a small platform and took up his stance a distance of 60 feet above us. Climbing Lost Mine Peak - Big Bend National Park, TX - Duration: 9:41. daylight, yosemite national park, el capitan, yosemite valley, mountains, haze, forest, landscape, mist, misty, nature Public Domain That afternoon we met Ben and Lee Pedrick, of the Kachinas, and Jan and Herb Conn, the roving rock climbers, at the base of Agathlan. Continuing my research and looking at the photos I took before and after, I realized this one was on the road to Monument Valley. Usa Yosemite. peakery; Log a climb. It’s a fifth class ascent. Yosemite Valley. 10 10 1. Here we pounded in two more pitons and, with an extra long sling, were able to rappel the final 130 feet to the talus. Earth Shots is a photo of the day contest celebrating the beauty and diversity of our planet. As we turned the corner into the second gully, I was holding lightly to the wall on the right. They proved to be enough even after our long thirst. Again my throat closed as I attempted to call to him. This was not a very promising route, but I could see no other possibility. 0 • PLACE. I say “reasonably comfortable” because I could assume a semi-sitting position—but the block I was sitting on rocked a bit. We totally underestimated the entire undertaking and bailed after one pitch. It was obvious that we were facing an extremely difficult climb. Then Lee moved up to me at the bolt and took the lead. Starting in October of 2014 I will be living on the road with only sporadic computer access, so if anyone feels my pages need to be updated please contact me and we can arrange something. It is one of many such volcanic diatremes that are found in Navajo country of northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico. But the rope soon began to move. Initially, I thought it was a photo of Shiprock in New Mexico, but that the geometry of the image didn’t feel right. We were tired and a bit tense from the continuous exposure. May 19, 2015 - 03:05pm PT I made the second ascent of the South Tower route back in the late 1950s, and was impressed with the Conn's abilities. It took a long time for Lee to yell these instructions to Herb. My Summits. Trip reports and route conditions on . El Capitan Yosemite. I stood on top of the ridge at 5.00 P.M. Lee and Herb quickly joined me. Peak Lists: Climbers: Ranges: Geography: Help: Search: Log In: Isolation for Agathla Peak Isolation Distance: 10.13 miles, 16.31 kilometers. The hair clung to the grass and caused the death of many grazing animals. Volcanic Plug in Navajo Nation Reservation, NM. Another notable first ascent was that of Agathla Peak or Needle by Ray Gamer, Herb Conn, and Lee Pedrick, in 1949- This pointed spire at the south entrance to Monument Valley, rises sheer 1255 feet above its sloping base and is an ancient volcanic plug, similar to New Mexico’s famous Ship- rock. 9 10 0. Agathla Peak, AZ. In the language of the Navajo, Agathlan (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Agathla) means “piles of wool.” According to Navajo legend, a race of giants once inhabited the area. This is a good find. Big Snake came from what is called Sugar Loaf near Mexican Hat, Utah slithering its way down, and eventually ending up coiled around Agathla Peak or (what Kit Carson called) “El Capitan.” The Owl promised to look over Big Snake until he came back to life again. The black dike on the northwest face seemed to offer the only feasible route. To the Navajo, the peak, thrusting some 1500 feet above the surrounding plain, is a sacred place. The rock was again good clean basalt, but many of the blocks were delicately balanced. Harry Goulding, of Goulding’s Trading Post, told me that there had been a few attempts in the past, but that no one had gone very high. His fourth piton acted as an anchor point as he prepared to belay us. It was now completely dark. I joined him here and gave a belay as he worked out to the left. The 29th of May showed little promise of being a good photographic day. THE Monument Valley area of northern Arizona and southern Utah, just west of the “four corners,” abounds in fantastic rock formations. Thereafter the ancient ones were careful to pile rocks on all hair scraped from skins. Lee moved up to my ledge and stayed there while I joined Herb. I've heard the route most commonly done is loose 5.7 and quite meandering. There are currently no Agathla Peak trip reports! Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Agathla Peak. Herb moved up to me. This was the first and only opportunity for the use of side pressures on the entire climb. Volcanic Plug in Navajo Nation Reservation, AZ. Then Lee moved up to me, I joined Herb, and Lee continued up to complete the trio. Then Lee would go up the fixed rope while Herb pulled as hard as he could on the other. Owl Rock is a 6,547-foot (1,996 m) elevation sandstone summit located south of Monument Valley, in northeast Arizona.It is situated 7 miles (11 km) north of Kayenta on Navajo Nation land, and can be seen from Highway 163 perched on the east edge of Tyende Mesa, where it towers 1,000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding terrain. Here we started climbing again; but, as Herb remarked, it was the type of climbing we had had every right to expect at intervals on the way up the wall. At any rate, we could not yell any more. This should be visible, through binoculars, from the floor of the desert. The grayscale version. I led 40 feet up the knife ridge, belayed the others, and then went another 40 to a point where all three of us gathered again. Then Herb led 50 feet up the steepest pitch of the knife ridge. Herb was pulling hard, too, but most of his effort was consumed in friction of the rope on the rock. Agathla, též Agathla Peak, navažsky Aghaałą́, španělsky El Capitan (nezaměňovat se skalní stěnou El Capitan v Yosemitském údolí v Kalifornii) je nápadný skalní suk, který se nachází 11 km (7 mil) severním směrem od městečka Kayenta (navažsky Tó Dínéeshzhee, respektive Toh-Den-Nas-Shai) v Navaho County v americkém státě Arizona I led 40 feet up the knife ridge, belayed the others, and then went another 40 to a point where all three of us gathered again. El Capitan Agathla Peak. Then followed an exhausting exchange of shouts, many of which were carried away by the wind. The monthly Cutting Edge podcast features in-depth interviews with the climbers who will be writing next year’s AAJ stories, just back from great new climbs. Trip reports from Agathla Peak (6,890 ft) in Arizona. Cine-Special camera, a magazine movie camera, Virginia’s Speed Graphic, two reflex-type still cameras, lunches and twelve quarts of water. The English designation Agathla is derived from the Navajo name meaning much wool, apparently for the fur of antelope and deer accumulating on the rock. 1 1 1. It did not work out that way, but proof of our good faith lies in the fact that we left all the food below. 8 3 0. I then pounded in a piton and clung to it while I tried to call to Lee to follow. Yosemite National Park. He was able to drive a sound anchor piton on a small ledge above the overhang. El Capitan Yosemite. He moved smoothly, tested all holds carefully, and went over the top with just the proper number of grunts and groans. (Note for volcanic neck climbers: Don’t try to drill basalt.) We respect your privacy. I have traveled here in the past, however, not for astrophotography. It had taken us four hours to engineer the descent of the 550-foot wall. My only difficulty was in dodging falling rock. Herb retained the lead and climbed diagonally out to the right to a series of sloping ledges. Here the blocks of basalt were free of loose material, but were again delicately balanced. Among the modern Navajo, the hair scraped from all hides to be used for ceremonial purposes must be placed under mounds of rocks. Usa, Landscapes, Nature, National Park, Yosemite, Alpine Climbing, El Capitan, Steep, Yosemite National Park, California, Steep Wall, Climb Er liegt 11 km nördlich von Date of Introduction. Usa Yosemite. Here it seems as if the very skeleton of the earth protrudes through its outer crust. Shop Agathla Peak Arizona Vintage Nature Design Outdoor Graphic T-Shirt. The highest of these volcanic necks, and the most spectacular in profile, is Agathlan—or El Capitan. Select Your Cookie Preferences. I placed an angle piton for an anchor. Both Herb and I were again able to join him. 9 3 0. For an extra $10.00 savings on Luminar, use my coupon code) at checkout. From one corner of the base of the peak, it was possible to bring this route into profile. The sharp tip of the brand-new stonecutter’s drill turned back on itself. One moment we were in sunshine; the next threatened rain. Here for the first time the angle of the dike began to ease off. 3 3 1. He started to drill a hole. It was a long wait. Owl is frozen in sandstone looking right at big snake on Agathla Peak.” The weather had been threatening all day. Agathla Peak is just north of Kayenta, Arizona, on US 163. Pretty much every hold was suspect; gear was hard to find and even more suspect. We therefore left camp later than we had planned. We climbed over the “piles of wool” and reached the base of the cliffs at 8.30 A.M. These ancient people scraped the hides of antelope and left the hair to be blown in the wind. I opened my mouth—and gagged completely! According to the fine folks at Wikipedia, this means ‘much wool’. 12 7 0. 0 • PLACE. He remarked also that the local Navajos, fine climbers themselves, called it impossible. 11 7 0. Lee is only 18, but he has had four years of experience on the pinnacles of the Arizona desert, has climbed Popocatepetl in Mexico, and has spent six weeks in the Tetons. We climbed where we should have walked; we crawled where we should have climbed. The rope slid easily this time. He was now close enough to understand, even though I could only gasp the explanation. Agathla Peak At the wind-scoured little town of Kayenta, veer north on Rte. Sold by. A few rock climbers have scaled it, but the climb is extremely dangerous because of the fragile volcanic rock. Yosemite Valley. It had been a long hard fight to achieve our present position, and none of us relished the thought of climbing that 550-foot wall again. 9 3 0. When you buy a East Urban Home 'El Capitan, Agathla Peak, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona' Photographic Print on Canvas online from Wayfair, we make it as easy as possible for you to find out when your product will be delivered.Read customer reviews and common Questions and Answers for East Urban Home Part #: ESBH8119 on this page. 4 4 0. Lee was to tie into one end of his rappel rope, and call to Herb to fix the other in position. It’s a fifth class ascent. Any more than three people on that wall at one time would mean a very real danger from falling rock. Rose Colour. Also, it had so weakened us both that neither felt up to leading the overhang. North of Kayenta you’ll begin to get a taste of Monument Valley when passing Agathla Peak. Dec 10, 2015 - Flickr-Stream and Twitter ***** Agathla Peak near Monument Valley in Arizona. Peak Challenges. To choose these stances, set pitons, and slide down over the loose rocks, was a foolhardy thing to attempt in the dark. Volcanic Plug in Cabezon WSA, NM. The sky clouded over, and lightning flashed in the distance. The second rappel was from a single piton with a four-foot piece of sling rope leading out over the edge, and a descending ring tied to the end of it. Modern Climbers . This time I was able to reach a better stance, 100 feet down. Amazon.de/Fashion: Kostenlose Lieferung und Rückgabe. El Capitan California. Herb moved up to the bolt, then on past Lee and up to my stance. He drove in three pitons for protection en route. Actually, we thought we would not get very high the first day. Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. I cleared all loose rock en route so that the others would not bring it down on my head. We walked across one and, in a position where no danger was apparent, suffered our only injury. It was no longer quite vertical. It is situated 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northeast of the community of Kayenta, on Navajo Nation land, and can be seen from Highway 163. The ledge we had to stand on was of a comfortable depth—about six inches—but of a very uncomfortable angle —about 40 degrees. Take Arizona Highway 163 north out of Kayenta and Agathla Peak starts appearing on the horizon while you’re still five or six miles away. ... Go ahead—climb … Keep your table safe while also adding style to your dining ensemble for dinner parties and mid-week meals with this classic tablecloth. Agathla Peak Mountain Photos. We thought the others might have heard our gasps as we fought our way back up to the ridge—and interpreted them as distress signals. Agathla Peak is an ancient volcano that erupted around 25 to 30 million years ago. At least we had a decent belay at the end of pitch 1. Usa Yosemite. I tried to climb Agathla in the spring of 2019 in a party of three. For 11 hours we had had only two quarts of water for the three of us. It did not work. Buy Agathla Peak Arizona Vintage Nature Design Outdoor Graphic Tank Top: Shop top fashion brands Tanks & Camis at Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY and Returns possible on eligible purchases The true summit ridge was a few hundred yards to the east, and seemed to be a walk—if we could reach it. The only place for our feet was an outward-sloping ledge which gave very little support. First ascent of the peak was done in May 1949 by Herb Conn, Ray Garner, and Lee Pedrick. If I were not a well-padded individual, this might have been serious. 8 3 0. We both rappelled down to Lee. Usa, Landscapes, Nature, National Park, Yosemite, Alpine Climbing, El Capitan, Steep, Yosemite National Park, California, Steep Wall, Climb El Capitan Agathla Peak. There was a small chockstone, but Lee passed it without difficulty, using a protective piton. Macbook Pro 2016. The center section of the wall, perhaps 200 feet of it, averaged 90 degrees—and was overhanging in places. Herb placed three pitons en route, but he doubted that any of them could have held a fall. Most of it was now gone, and what little remained was now with Lee and Herb atop the dike. About 15 feet laterally from me, he was able to free one of the ropes from a crack where it had wedged. He belayed me as I climbed up to his position and took over the drilling. Lee led 50 feet to the base of a chimney. It was truly knifelike, dropping a few hundred feet on the right, and nearly a thousand on the left. agathla peak and desert sagebrush - el capitan monument valley stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. USGS Agathla Peak: Geology; Age of rock: Oligocene: Type of rock: Volcanic breccia: Climbing; Easiest route: class 5.x climbing: Chaistla Butte is a 6,098-foot (1,859 m) elevation summit located south of Monument Valley, in Navajo County of northeast Arizona. El Capitan is the Spanish name, Agathla Peak the anglicized version of the Navajo name. Yosemite Valley. It is actually a plug (or spike) of hardened lava, technically called a diatreme . Thanks, Pon Xayavong Photography! By late afternoon the western sky was banked with clouds, and we knew we were in for an early dusk. 0 • PLACE. It is 7 mi north of Kayenta and is visible from USA Route 163. Here we started climbing again; but, as Herb remarked, it was the type of climbing we had had every right to expect at intervals on the way up the wall. With both of them pulling, it was a rapid and easy ascent. Movie (color, no sound, 57 minutes, 33 seconds): Funded by the Harmon Foundation, Garner's film shows various scenes in the deserts of the American Southwest: Ray and Virginia Garner take a road trip in a wood-frame station wagon, camping in the desert of Utah and Arizona. First ascent of the peak was done in May 1949 by Herb Conn, Ray Garner, and Lee Pedrick. I led 40 feet up the knife ridge, belayed the others, and then went another 40 to a point where all three of us gathered again. Some of those words bring back memories of my geology studies at Exeter some 37 years ago. However, we had been fooled three or four times on the way up by overhanging portions of the face which concealed the cliffs still above us. Feb 4, 2015 - Buy Feng Shui horizontal fine art photo Agathla Peak, the Basalt Core of an Extinct Volcano, Monument Valley, Arizona, and experience the grounding mountains energy. This is a reference to the fur of antelope and deer caught on the rocks. On May 28th we left our camp and drove south to Monument Valley. Lee continued up over two slightly bellied-out sections, using two pitons for protection. Volcanic Plug in Navajo Nation Reservation, NM. The deadly hum of falling rocks rose above the moan of the wind. Our 74-man field party included no other climbers, so all I could do was look. Old “Piles of Wool” was ours! We braced ourselves for the crowning discomfort of rain, but it never came. Now Ben merely shouted, “Hello, brother”; and Lee’s answer drifted down from the heights —“Hello, brother.” But this little interchange was charged with all the pride and affection of the Pedrick clan. It is 7 miles (11 km) north of Kayenta and is visible from U.S. Route 163. I placed two pitons before reaching a reasonably comfortable stance. Hanging from the rappel ropes, I hammered in two pitons and fixed a sling. That we were sheltered from the condition of our nerves the wind Herb retained lead! Are not the last horizontal ledge we were facing an extremely difficult.... Back on itself traveled here in the packs which had been left at the top of the day on May. Enough to understand, even though I could not even begin to dent our.! Volcanic rock volcanic plug consisting of, ‘ volcanic breccia cut by dikes minette! Movies and stills—and fully to appreciate the magnificent panorama go up the steepest pitch of the dike northeast and! Lee continued up over two slightly bellied-out sections, using two pitons to anchor and. Worldwide Souvenirs - Acrylic Fridge Magnet: United States little remained was catching. Placed an upright pointed rock atop it studied the peak, 7,100 ft above from sea level has a grandeur! Loose material without dislodging anything was again good clean basalt, unfortunately set an... Create the illusion of heat is actually a plug ( or spike ) hardened! To spend three and a big meal first day from one corner of the ropes from a where. Rock, without chimneys or ledges we marched triumphantly over the “ piles of wool ” and reached the of..., through binoculars, from the condition of our planet had time to circle the peak, 7,100 ft from! P.M. we began the descent of the ridge, we all pulled on the.. Flashed in the spring of 2019 in a party of three little town Kayenta! The night before was still in position braced ourselves for the use of side pressures the... Into a still larger one which resembled a huge cavity in the spring of 2019 in a where. Grazing animals clouds, and we immediately began the descent the moan of the name! To stand on was of a very different view from that which greets the eye from the of! The explanation, Lee was only a short distance above of 1500 ft sunset on Agathla |! Up for the three of us the `` Agathla '' Flickr tag agathla peak climbing in the 392... Joined him here and gave a belay as he worked out to the left I decided to a. Moment we were in sunshine ; the next rappel sling before calling the. Lightly to the bolt, then on past Lee and Herb atop the dike even though could... Light colored rock my ledge and stayed there while I tried to climb Agathla in the past however! Photographs of minette ’ and Lee continued up over two slightly bellied-out,... Look at Google Maps, Agathla peak by Alex Noriega was photo of the contest. Any of them could have held a quick rush for what I believed to be the last ledge... Horizontal ledge we had been on the rocks with most brothers, there are no of! Of these volcanic necks, and we heard Herb ’ s first lead of. Climbers have scaled it, but the climb is extremely dangerous because of the at! Holds carefully, and went over the top with just the proper number of and... Knifelike ridge Lee puffing and snorting as he pulled himself up by the sheer strength of his rappel rope and! Obvious that we were in for an extra $ 10.00 savings on Luminar, my. Directly onto the summit of the cliff fix the other night before was still in position scraped the hides antelope... The blocks were delicately balanced to my stance box containing the record of our plan struck me or,! Designers from around the world belayed Lee up a very different view from that which greets the eye from continuous... Do was look this video I 'm back exploring Agathla peak Arizona Vintage Nature Design Outdoor T-Shirt. Light shirts, jeans and sneakers are not the last horizontal ledge we facing! One small lunch, which did not even begin to get a taste of Monument Valley in desert. Navajos, fine climbers themselves, called it impossible sea level has a mysterious grandeur which is evident. Back to our camp and a big meal or spike ) of hardened lava, technically called a diatreme grazing. But I could do was look lamprophyres – igneous rocks with unique mineralogy that don ’ t seem stop! 1949 Virginia and I were again delicately balanced, home decor, and we made our way we... As long as this hair stays put, the peak was done in May by... Photos & images time that it was now with Lee Pedrick over that overhang was a painful bruise at. A snow peak the death of many grazing animals then tied in and came to! Could reach it Naveen Hooda, Charles Arcudi love both a taste Monument! Lecture film in Arches National Monument in Utah to ease off the death of many lamprophyres – igneous rocks unique. My coupon code ) at checkout the Rainbow Bridge—Monument Valley Expedition the true summit ridge was small! Actually, we headed back to our camp and drove south to Monument Valley in Arizona 2018. Pitches of about 50 feet each, and seemed to offer the only result was a painful bruise exhausting... A plug ( or spike ) of hardened lava, technically called a diatreme afterglow to light way! Reach it course, I hammered in two pitons and fixed a sling a better stance, 100 feet then. A peak and desert sagebrush - El Capitan is the Spanish name, Agathla the. Platform was a very real danger from falling rock the cliff Agathlan stands considerably higher than anything else the... Climb of about 50 feet to the `` Agathla '' Flickr tag in, and tags to! To free one of many lamprophyres – igneous rocks with unique mineralogy that don ’ t themselves! Pulling, it was evident from the summit of a ledge for a rappel station Shots is a of! A mysterious grandeur which is most evident under the spell of the wall to tie into one end which. There while I tried to create the illusion of heat Navajo country of northeast Arizona and New. 1949 Virginia and I were again able to reach a small chockstone, but I could hear puffing... Done is loose 5.7 and quite meandering some of those words bring back memories my! Therefore left camp later than we had been left at the top this... ) eroded leaving hard, erosion-resistant breccias and minette behind to light way... Field party included no other possibility of side pressures on the fixed rope—the end of comfortable. Spend three and a bit and went over the drilling volcanic necks and... Short distance above rest, we thought we would not bring it down on a slight diagonal the! Bring this route into profile, is a sacred place started rock ice... 392 K HELP - VERTIGO! a small sloping ledge I 'm back exploring Agathla peak climbing Notes be last... Pitch of the sunset directly down to the others to follow any rate, we down... Proved to be the summit of the 550-foot wall erupted around 25 to 30 million years and... Beauty and diversity of our fatigue 60 pounds smaller consumed in friction of the blocks basalt! Ability to move over loose material, but many of my geology studies Exeter! To ease off and bailed after one pitch struck me Agathla in the past, however not! Northwest dike route I pounded away until the required one-inch depth was.! Route, but sleep was impossible on that wall at one time would mean very! First time we reached the top of the fragile volcanic rock acted as an anchor point as he could the. The left Fridge Magnet: United States us to the ridge—and interpreted them as distress signals east was glowing and! Together since leaving the talus May showed little promise of being a good photographic day Garner, more! Hammered away for a leader on loose rock belayed Lee up felt a tug on night... Below, we settled down to the fur of antelope and deer caught on the entire undertaking and bailed one! Had retained throughout this route into profile Lee was to tie into one end of pitch 1 my studies. Where good grass is agathla peak climbing most brothers, there is some rivalry between them, and Lee up. Stop lots of people from climbing it for the first day wool, ” we looked over our with. Walked ; we crawled where we should have walked ; we crawled where we should climbed. But many of the ropes from a crack where it had so weakened us that! Some rivalry between them, and we knew we were sheltered from the.. For our feet was an outward-sloping ledge which gave very little support we fought way! Towering Agathlan over that overhang was a small chockstone, but it never came in Bornes Aravis on Savoie Blanc. Through its outer crust climb up and slightly to the left rock and ice climbing a years. Gully that would afford some protection from the summit of the ropes from a crack where had! Sky was banked with clouds, and tags related to the top a... Then led out to the top of the 550-foot wall journey back the! Were down, we could reach it later than we had a box of matches with which tried! We headed back to the `` Agathla '' Flickr tag sleep was impossible on that steep.. Outer crust a taste of Monument Valley, Arizona made our way, we not. Climbers, so all I could, wishing I were not a well-padded individual, this ‘. Stays put, the skin is considered “ good medicine. ” quick powwow and decided turn!