MrBill's Albums - The Gong Show Approach, September 23, 2025

Stella and Frank return across Rock Creek for their second packs.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:33:35 +0000

Stella and Frank return across Rock Creek for their second packs. / Stella and Frank return across Rock Creek for their second packs.

Stella crosses Rock Creek while Frank starts in the background.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:32:56 +0000

Stella crosses Rock Creek while Frank starts in the background. / Stella crosses Rock Creek while Frank starts in the background.

The Gong Show wall is at the top of a long scree and talus scramble. Argh!

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:32:20 +0000

The Gong Show wall is at the top of a long scree and talus scramble. Argh! / The Gong Show wall is at the top of a long scree and talus scramble. Argh! The red line shows where on the wall was the route we worked on. The Lower Tier is apparently off to the right of the photo, the wall there being higher above the creek, in spite of its name.

Stella gets the pinch on the left, but what to grab with the right hand?

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:31:55 +0000

Stella gets the pinch on the left, but what to grab with the right hand? / Stella gets the pinch on the left, but what to grab with the right hand? Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Bill starts up the climb.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:31:18 +0000

Bill starts up the climb. / Bill starts up the climb. I don't get far, about as far as Stella got in the next photo. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Frank decides to down-climb while on the rope.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:30:36 +0000

Frank decides to down-climb while on the rope. / Frank decides to down-climb while on the rope.

Frank gets lowered after setting up the anchor.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:29:54 +0000

Frank gets lowered after setting up the anchor. / Frank gets lowered after setting up the anchor.

Frank reaches the anchor bolts and sets up a top-rope anchor.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:29:16 +0000

Frank reaches the anchor bolts and sets up a top-rope anchor. / Frank reaches the anchor bolts and sets up a top-rope anchor.

Frank continues higher.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:28:39 +0000

Frank continues higher. / Frank continues higher.

Frank is now lead-climbing as he's above the highest draw.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:28:07 +0000

Frank is now lead-climbing as he's above the highest draw. / Frank is now lead-climbing as he's above the highest draw. Fortunately, the climbing is easier here. But, where is the next bolt?

Frank gets past the crux while Stella keeps a tight rope.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:27:24 +0000

Frank gets past the crux while Stella keeps a tight rope. / Frank gets past the crux while Stella keeps a tight rope.

Frank makes progress.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:26:43 +0000

Frank makes progress. / Frank makes progress.

Frank again uses the stick clip to place a draw at the next highest bolt.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:25:57 +0000

Frank again uses the stick clip to place a draw at the next highest bolt. / Frank again uses the stick clip to place a draw at the next highest bolt. This allows Frank some degree of safety while climbing near the ground. As long as he's climbing below the highest draw he is essentially on "top rope".

Frank uses our stickclip to place a draw at the lowest bolt.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:25:13 +0000

Frank uses our stickclip to place a draw at the lowest bolt. / Frank uses our stickclip to place a draw at the lowest bolt.

Frank and Stella return through the talus field wearing two packs.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:24:23 +0000

Frank and Stella return through the talus field wearing two packs. / Frank and Stella return through the talus field wearing two packs. We decided it was too much trouble to scramble to the Lower Tier at The Gong Show. We were getting worn out scrambling on this stuff carrying two packs of gear before we even started technical climbing!

Stella scrambles across a steep slope of scree and talus while wearing two packs.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:23:44 +0000

Stella scrambles across a steep slope of scree and talus while wearing two packs. / Stella scrambles across a steep slope of scree and talus while wearing two packs. Getting to the base of the climbs is a major ordeal!

Frank and Stella pause on a rock while Frank checks his GPS to see where our approach route continues.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:22:59 +0000

Frank and Stella pause on a rock while Frank checks his GPS to see where our approach route continues. / Frank and Stella pause on a rock while Frank checks his GPS to see where our approach route continues.

Stella crosses Rock Creek.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:22:31 +0000

Stella crosses Rock Creek. / Stella crosses Rock Creek.

Bill crosses Rock Creek.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:21:52 +0000

Bill crosses Rock Creek. / Bill crosses Rock Creek. Our first crux. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.

Stella and Frank prepare for the approach to The Gong Show.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:21:20 +0000

Stella and Frank prepare for the approach to The Gong Show. / Stella and Frank prepare for the approach to The Gong Show.