THE SLABS

May 30,1963 Les,Max,Andrzej

This was an easy climb. We had just finished Rappel Chimney and were preparing to complete the route to the rim, climbing the band of cliffs above Sherwood Forest. The Slabs route would bring us to the rim, allow us to plan an easy descent, and explore the areas around Ribbon Creek.

It was a very enjoyable climb. Ribbon Creek was in full flood. The falls were fantastic, filling the amphitheatre with spray. Views of the Valley opened as we worked our way up through ledges and short climbs, There were seeps on the ledges and flowers peeking from the rocks. On the rim, watching the waters of the creek rush through the woods and then shoot out into space to fall the thousand feet into the amphitheatre was inspiring. This area may be one of Yosemite's most spectacular, although seldom visited areas.

The Approach

We followed Ribbon Creek. First the creek flowed over boulders passing through open pine woods. Then it steepened and we climbed through scrub oak and bay. We could see Ribbon Wall on our right and Cathedral Rocks across the valley.

Ribbon Wall

LW63May-03

Cathedral Rocks

LW63May-02

The Hourglass is behind trees on the lower right.

The Amphitheatre

As we walked along the base of the West Portal, the spray from the alcove followed us. The walls above were wet. The sun shone through the mist. The branches of the oaks looked like surrealistic hands.

Spray From The Amphitheatre

Drifted Around the Cliffs Below

LW63May-01

Spray From the Amphitheatre

And Rose High on the Walls

LW63May-04

Across the alcove the mist rose up the walls of Ribbon Cliff, blanketing our Chockstone Chimney climb and shrouding the upper spires.

The Falls

The falls roared in our ears. This was the noise of Yosemite in spring. Nature was alive and sculpturing one of her great creations.

LW63May-05

LW63May-12

LW63May-11

Camping

The approach and route finding through the lower ledges had taken a long time. We camped at the base of the final wall.

LW63May-09

LW63May-08

The Climb

The climb was more a problem in route finding than climbing. We followed ledges back and forth occasionally making a few climbing moves. There were only a few pitches of class five climbing.

Andrzej