If you can spare a few bucks for those affected by the Pack Fire, a little bit goes a long way ❤️

Mokelumne Peak

Mount Kaweah Day 3: Exit

Mount Kaweah Day 2: Mount Kaweah

Mount Kaweah Day 1: Approach

Notes:
- Approach was as expected, through the forest, past the mine, up the road, and into the forest again. Passed a few backpackers on the way up to Pine Creek Pass but not too busy.
- I expected mostly talus hopping over to Royce-Merriam Saddle but was pleasantly surprised to find large grassy benches all the way to Lake 11658. The travel was very easy here.
- There was some talus on the west and north shores of Lake 11658 but not bad. The route up to the Saddle passes over some more but it's also fine.
- An ice ax is NOT required for Royce-Merriam Saddle when it's snow free, which happens more often these days than when Secor was published. It's straightforward class 2 all the way up to the saddle.
- I climbed Royce first because it was higher mostly. The route was quite sandy, technically very easy, and a bit of a slog. There was a nice view from the summit, a bit boxed in to the north by the Hilgard-Gabb-Abbot ridge, and to the south by the Glacier Divide, but there was a good view of the Bear Basin and French Canyon areas.
- Down was easy, then up to Merriam Peak which was class 2 climber's right and a bit more adventurous climber's left. Also quite straightforward, though. I had some trouble finding the highest point, it's on the east of the deep notch.
- Enjoyed reading the summit register of Merriam Peak. This mountain has a huge north buttress, about 800 feet tall, with a number of technical routes on it. Peter Croft's name appeared many times, but there were some other famous climbers too.
- Down was easy. I tried to head down the southeast ridge/slope but was turned around right away by a seemingly impossible downclimb. I think it goes if you traverse around the east summit but I just went down the way I came.
- At Lake 11658 I ran into a guy who was going to camp out and take some star photographs, he seemed to know his stuff. Then many more backpackers headed mostly down from Pine Creek Pass.
- Nothing too exciting on the way down, it was pretty hot in the canyon.
- All in all, a great day. These two peaks were much easier than I expected, both technically and physically. Easy approaches (except for the distance), great rock, and awesome views. It'd be nice if the routes were a bit more challenging, but I did pick the easiest ones!

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Iain Macdonald

Royce Peak and Merriam Peak

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If you can spare a few bucks for those affected by the Pack Fire, a little bit goes a long way ❤️

Mokelumne Peak

Mount Kaweah Day 3: Exit

Mount Kaweah Day 2: Mount Kaweah

Mount Kaweah Day 1: Approach

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