Lunesta Fiesta

[DaveyTree]

Earlier this week I called my buddy Chris and brought up the idea of South Pillar during the full moon on Thursday night, 9/19. He was in and then Danny and Kalem were in. Plan was set. Go to work Thursday, come home and we meet at my house, drive up and climb, return home and go to work.

We got a late start and parked at 8:30. Took extra time to pack because we were all looking for extra layers. Hiking in, as soon as we crested for the hike down to the base the temp went up about 10 degrees. Peeled layers moon was bright and off we went. Had to use headlamps for the first 100' due to tree shadow darkness. After that the headlamps were not needed.

Very few times is everything perfect, weather, views, friends, the rocks, which makes it feel it was preordained. What an awesome night with all the city lights glowing in the valley. The silence only broken by our woops! and the woops of bats. 2 of our party had never climbed the route or at Fresno Dome. While enjoying the ledge on top of P2, we saw two headlamps coming to the base of South Pillar. Before long I here yell if it is Adam(Micronut). He woops back and he and Scott(Macronut) are coming up.

We top out and head to truck for snacks and beer. Adam and Scott take their time to get some good pics. We promise each other a yearly repeat of the first annual Lunesta Fiesta.

Get home at 4:45, go take a shower at Metalmark so I don't wake the fam and back to work at 0600.

Will update later after some sleep with some poor pics from my phone and better ones from cameras that were brought.

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2229934&tn=0#msg2230680

[daniel banquo merrick]

South Pillar Is one of the finest routes around - Doug Robinson's favorite. Doing it in moonlight is is a fine way to do a fine route.

[mungeclimber]

Looks good to me, what I could see of it.

[DaveyTree]

 I have Done the route many times and us def in my top 3 favorites.

Sorry about pics. Will update when the guys with the cameras post or send to me.

[John]

Love it! Sounds like a memorable blast and I like the catchy name too. Looking forward to more photos.

[YETI]

Nice, moonlight climbs are always memorable.

Good or bad.

2 teams on the same formation?  What are the chances?

[susan]

Sounds like a lot of fun! Brings back a few fond memories.

My first year or so of climbing, I remember starting a climb towards nightfall on Whitehorse Ledges with some friends, and all of us bringing our sleeping bags to bivy on the upper ledges. Don't recall the name of the route. Maybe doesn't matter as I took a wrong turn anyway at one point. Ironically, despite getting a little lost, it was a great experience focusing down to bare essentials while climbing in the dark, much less to distract than in the light of day. I hardly slept for the excitement and will always remember the beauty of that sunrise.

Plus, one time John and I got on Nutcracker at nightfall as a way to avoid the crowds, and topped out in the moonlight, dangling feet off the edge while enjoying a couple of beers we brought... a fun hike down practically swinging around the trees on the descent.



 

[DaveyTree]

Originally all going to climb together but the late arrivals were actually trying to get there before us and try to hide on top of P2 to scare the leader. They were late getting there.

[NateD]

Excellent! I gotta do this sometime.

[DaveyTree]

Here is Scott's TR on it. Better pics.

http://www.supertopo.com/tr/South-Pillar-By-Moonlight-A-Bedtime-Story/t12142n.html

[DaveyTree]

2nd annual this Sat and Sat night.

[mungeclimber]

Sweet!

[susan]

Sounds like a blast! Must be a full moon on the rise.

[DaveyTree]

Good times. Climbed Hawk Dome all day Saturday. Back to camp for dinner and beer before returning to do South Pillar by full moon. Actually a lit humid on the descent approach but once above the first pitch it was perfect. Clear views of the entire valley.

[susan]

I was wondering how that went. Glad to hear it! Would love to see photos if you get a chance. Night-time for sure sounds like the best time last weekend... It must have been a scorcher during the day... at least Sunday was.