6/05/2022 7:45:00 pm, Travis

Mount Gould (T#19) and Dragon Peak (T#20)

Travis Day 9

When I finally awoke, I felt like a bear emerging from hibernation. Last night I slept like a rock having come off an 18 hour epic where we arrived at camp at 1:30am. Naturally, I had shut out like a light. I could tell it was late morning by the height of the sunlight cascading through my tent. I looked at my watch: 9 o'clock. We had mountains to climb!

I peeked out of my tent and saw Nathan was up and already packing. I made some coffee and began to break down camp. Even though I had slept well, I was not feeling psyched to continue the trip. Mentally, I was exhausted. I don't mind long days or getting to camp late. What had made yesterday particularly difficult were the snowy conditions. Yes, I am a mountain man, but first and foremost I am a desert dweller. I don't really enjoy the presence of snow while climbing technical rock. And yesterday was a lot of that. I knew I could come back for these peaks in the summer and do them way more efficiently while having more fun. I hadn't mentioned it to Nathan but I had been thinking of bailing last night. It was a tough call, I hate bailing, and especially if it means leaving a partner alone. So I bottled up my emotions, stuffed everything in my pack and put one foot in front of the other.

How could I be so selfish and bail? Am I really not tough enough to handle a few more days out in the snow? Should I even be attempting this project? My mind was boiling over with thoughts and emotions but on we went to climb East Vidette, which, to be fair, was an incredibly aesthetic peak. It just didn't feel right. Nathan and I stopped to assess our plan of attack on Vidette and I took the opportunity to grab my sunglasses. But where were they… I couldn't find them… I must have dropped them last night! Even though it was only morning the sun was glaringly bright and the albedo from the snow made it unbearable to look around without glasses. This was the tipping point.

"Nathan, I think I'm going to bail."

He turned, "Wait, seriously?"

Saying it out loud had released a river of emotion and I even felt tears welling in my eyes. "I don't want to but I don't think I want to finish this trip. I don't want to leave you alone either. I'd just rather do these peaks in the summer when they are dry." I looked down defeated after finally putting words to being a quitter.

"That's ok, I will be fine alone. If I were you I'd come back to, this is messed up. You can still go climb all those peaks out of Onion Valley road, those are dry."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too! Are you sure you are ok out here?"

"Yeah I'll be fine." It seemed like everything would work out. Nathan could still continue and I could climb some other peaks that would have better conditions. I gave Nathan a bunch of my food and my stove and we made plans to meet at Shepherds Pass in a few days. We said our farewells and headed off in opposite directions.

I made my way to the top of Kearsarge pass and from there climbed the ridge to Gould's fun 3rd class summit block.

Mount Gould summit
Mount Gould summit
University Peak
University Peak
East Vidette above Kearsarge Pinnacles
East Vidette above Kearsarge Pinnacles

From the top I eyed the ridgeline to Dragon. It looked rather fun, although potentially loose.

Dragon Peak
Dragon Peak

As I continued along the ridge I found my assumptions had been correct. After an hour or so I found my way on top of Dragon. Since it was early I enjoyed the view.

Gardiner, Cotter, and Clarence King (L to R)
Gardiner, Cotter, and Clarence King (L to R)
Dragon Peak summit
Dragon Peak summit

I was glad that I made the decision to go my own way. As much as I enjoy Nathan's company it was nice to climb in solitude. I scrambled back to Kearsarge Pass, grabbed my pack, and followed the snowy trail back to my van. I cooked up some beans and eggs, wrapped it in a burrito, ate, and went to bed.

Meanwhile, Nathan climbed the Videttes.

View the activity here.