Don't let the brown's of the summer fool you- many a sweet couloir doth reside herein.
Mt. Laurel
Mt Laurel is ordinarily just a nice view for the fisherman (and women) who recreate the shores of convict lake. To us mountaineers, however, it is one of the most unique experiences that you can get in the Sierra. It is a different view, incredible rainbow colored rock seen nowhere else, and just a different expereince (being in a 5.2 gully until you are on the summit) than any other climb in the Sierra. In the morning, hike the beautiful shorline of convict lake before heading up towards your objective. As you begin your 5.2 climb and are enjoying the view of the lake and the movement of climbing, be sure to remind yourself that on heay snow years, skiers enjoy challenging themselves by skiing what you are climbing (woah!). The great thing about climbs like this one is that most of the time you are climbing, 90% of your view is obstructed by the cliffs on either side of you. Summiting by climbing a couloir like this one is like surfacing after diving for a quarter in the pool when you were a kid. A great big view, a big breathe of fresh air, and an overwhelming desire for more!
