Alaskan Walls 1997

After a week of high standard rock climbing in Yosemite, this pair flew into Ruth Gorge to find it unseasonably warm. As a result, attempts on the S Face of Mt Bradley, 2,774m, and the S Face of Mt Dickie, 2,909m, both failed due to rock and ice fall and the lack of safe lines. A five-day attempt on Mt Barrille, 2,332m, involving climbing up to 'new wave A4' (one pitch took 13 hours to lead) ended at 3/4 height after Gore was struck by a rock and ice avalanche, with the rope being cut and Karo having a near-death experience.