May 2005 with Jeff Benowitz and Seth Adams
Photos copyright 2005 Jed Brown unless otherwise noted.
We moved camp so we could access the S Ridge of Balchen and waited out some bad weather
Jeff with The Two Essentials.
We can see Hess, but can we see Balchen? (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
After more bad weather and another day of walking the rack, we got a break.
The S Ridge of Balchen on our summit day. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
10910 from the S Ridge Col on Balchen. Part of the E Ridge is on the left.
We can see Traleika!
Pitch 1. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth at the first belay. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Good thing we have all this rack. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
The view from the Handicap Parking Belay.
Seth pulling down on the Gunks 5.3 pitch. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Jed on pitch 4. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Seth finishing pitch 4. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
Setting out on the upper S Ridge. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
On the upper S Ridge. (c) Jeff Benowitz 2005
The view from the summit was so good and I have pictures to prove it. The descent was relatively uneventful despite some crappy weather. We called the route The Handicap Ramp and rated it 5.4c because ratings are for hotels.
The E Face of Hess.
Contact: Jed Brown jed AT 59A2 DOT org
