2. 2009

New Route in Reed Valley

Tracy and I headed to Reed Valley to meet up with Kelsey Gray and Dane Ketner and climb a new route we call Rise 5.9 on a wall we call the High Dive.
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The sky darkens overhead as Kelsey Gray starts to head home after a long day on the rocks.
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The sky darkens overhead as Kelsey Gray starts to head home after a long day on the rocks.

AlaskaHatcher PassReed ValleyRock ClimbingKelsey Gray2009Matanuska Susitna Valley

  • On the hike in to Reed Valley we spotted an eagle circling high overhead.
  • Kelsey Gray works his way higher on a 5.11 on the Monkey Face Wall above Lower Reed Lake.
  • Hatcher Pass has a large number of the world's best campsites. Tracy finishes making camp and heads for the climbs with Lower Reed Lake in the background.
  • Uncharacteristically beautiful weather is very welcome during our late-season climbing in Reed Valley. Tracy Borland tops out the third pitch during the F.A. of <i>Rise 5.9</i> with Lower Reed Lake shining behind.
  • Tracy eyes the camera from the last holds of the spectacular third pitch of <i>Rise 5.9</i> on the route's first ascent.
  • Dane Ketner climbs out the last few minutes of direct sunlight on the third pitch of <i>Rise 5.9</I>.
  • Waning sunlight spotlights Dane Ketner as he cleans the pro on the third pitch of <i>Rise 5.9</i>.
  • The mountains look on as Kelsey Gray takes to the open air on the long rappel after completing our route.
  • The sky darkens overhead as Kelsey Gray starts to head home after a long day on the rocks.
  • Dane Ketner scopes out the rest of the rappel on his way down from the F.A. of <i>Rise 5.9</i>.
  • Dane Ketner rappels the waning light away as we wrap up our day of climbing.
  • Dane Ketner rappels the waning light away as we wrap up our day of climbing.
  • Tracy Borland drops into sight from the shadow of the wall as the sun goes down over Hatchers.
  • Lower Reed Lake reflects the local peaks and ridges in the waning evening light.
  • Reed Valley soaks in the morning sunlight as we crawl from the tent and face the peaks around us.
  • Morning greets us with another bright day, and the fireweed soaks up its few remaining summer rays.
  • Tracy tries her hand at drilling the bolts for our new route, <i>Rise 5.9</i>.
  • A two-rope rappel brings Tracy to the top of the first pitch, where we placed another anchor for climbers coming along after us.
  • Tracy relaxes at the anchors on the slabby first pitch of <i>Rise 5.9</i> with the beautiful Reed Valley providing surroundings.
  • I tied this knot five years ago in an attempt to climb this route that didn't end in topping out. This trip was a bit more successful, and I cleaned up my old mess.
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