We reached the high campsite next to Thumb Rock at about 10,800 feet at
4:30pm and were soon joined by Dave Anderson and his two companions.
We learned that
Bruce Carson
had been the leader of his party,
but had gotten sick on the approach and turned back.
At 5:30pm yet another party arrived;
things were getting a bit crowded –
there is very little space and even less level space at this site.
We all worked madly to create some good places for tents.
The last party included a woman
(Tory Stevens)
I had taught in the beginning climbing course the previous summer.
She had taken no courses since then but was the apparent leader of the
party and it appeared that others in her party were of comparable
experience.
To have such a crowd is highly unusual;
normally one expects to be on this route alone.
In the background the Carbon Glacier can be seen winding down the valley,
littered with the debris that fell with the avalanches off the walls and
ridges of its origin.
