'Pin Point' (come out of the woodwork and help me)

[madmattd]

For the easiest ascent I should follow the standard route for the traverse and go under pinpoint towards Mount Wilson, the standard route brings you back up to the ridge (just do that and resist the urge to short cut a gully), then instead of going on towards Wilson, turn back towards El Diente and follow the ridge to some big blocks that with care go class3/4 mostly solid with some exposure up to the summit of Pin Point. When in doubt stay on the south side of the ridge.

Yep! I don't recall deviating to the South side of the ridge (versus being effectively right on the ridge) except for swinging around behind a final block by the summit, but Two Lunches' memory tends to be better than mine on such details. You got this!

[daway8]

In the report I wrote that's been linked here already, about halfway through is a photo with the caption "Looking back at Pin Point from the Mt. Wilson side." That will give you some idea of what the suggested approach is like. From your self description of your current state of still dealing with trauma, I would absolutely not even consider the opposite side - you'll be triggered for sure on that side.

As for the easier side, as I said a couple paragraphs above the photo I mentioned: "Now as for the down climb on the Wilson side (or the up climb if you said no thanks to the El Diente class 5 route up), I've heard some say it goes at class 3. A very experienced climber I know disagrees with that assessment. I also disagree. As I said, I'm no expert at ranking climbs but I would say at the very least, with great effort you might possibly weave some sort of difficult class 3 up the Wilson side but I think it's more reasonable to classify what you encounter there as class 4."

This kind of thing produces endless debate on this site but if you're already in a sketched out state of mind due to a tragedy, that is going to mentally amplify how difficult it feels. So even if the class 3 crowd is correct, in the mental state that you've described I'm guessing you'll agree with the crowd that thinks there's a little class 4 in there.

Either way, the Wilson side is definitely far less airy and exposed. If you had given your climbing resume but left out the trauma part then I wouldn't hesitate to say this will be a snoozer for someone with your experience from that side. But be aware that the summit is fairly small and exposed so I'd come prepared to crawl timidly up it if you're in a fragile state of mind. Not a bad idea to try to find a partner if you're worried about your nerves.

In summary: physically this will be easy for someone with your experience. Mentally it may feel a lot more difficult given what you've been through. But I think you can handle it if you take your time.

[goingup]

In the report I wrote that's been linked here already, about halfway through is a photo with the caption "Looking back at Pin Point from the Mt. Wilson side." That will give you some idea of what the suggested approach is like. From your self description of your current state of still dealing with trauma, I would absolutely not even consider the opposite side - you'll be triggered for sure on that side.

As for the easier side, as I said a couple paragraphs above the photo I mentioned: "Now as for the down climb on the Wilson side (or the up climb if you said no thanks to the El Diente class 5 route up), I've heard some say it goes at class 3. A very experienced climber I know disagrees with that assessment. I also disagree. As I said, I'm no expert at ranking climbs but I would say at the very least, with great effort you might possibly weave some sort of difficult class 3 up the Wilson side but I think it's more reasonable to classify what you encounter there as class 4."

This kind of thing produces endless debate on this site but if you're already in a sketched out state of mind due to a tragedy, that is going to mentally amplify how difficult it feels. So even if the class 3 crowd is correct, in the mental state that you've described I'm guessing you'll agree with the crowd that thinks there's a little class 4 in there.

Either way, the Wilson side is definitely far less airy and exposed. If you had given your climbing resume but left out the trauma part then I wouldn't hesitate to say this will be a snoozer for someone with your experience from that side. But be aware that the summit is fairly small and exposed so I'd come prepared to crawl timidly up it if you're in a fragile state of mind. Not a bad idea to try to find a partner if you're worried about your nerves.

In summary: physically this will be easy for someone with your experience. Mentally it may feel a lot more difficult given what you've been through. But I think you can handle it if you take your time.

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I know that I can do it, I just don't want to do any unnecessary class 5 with death exposure. I think I now have a good idea how to keep it to as low risk as possible given what it is and where it is. It is so strange trying to get my head back but I know my friend would want me out there and I know he would have loved to scramble it himself. And ya, I don't really care about debating class 3/4, just wanted to know how solid/airy it is. Weather allowing, I will probably try next Monday or Tuesday as my summer grand finale because I have to go back to school (I am a math teacher) next Wednesday. Thank you again!

[daway8]

Yes, the Wilson side is pretty solid overall and not all that airy except perhaps the summit itself and that would be crawlable if necessary. For sure no class 5 on the Wilson side.

Sounds like you've got this! Best of luck polishing this last one off!

[arthurtect]

One move felt closer to 4th class on descent. I think if you go up/down that way (east side) it will feel like 3rd. Solid and great exposure. You might be underwhelmed if you psych yourself up much, it's pretty short. lol

I'd second this assessment. I thought the approach from the east felt closer to Class 3 than 4...felt like cheating the system a bit! Real fun scramble; fun summit moment; up and down in ten minutes.