Mount Russell: On the Knife Edge
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- Mount Russell has been on our hiking bucketlist for YEARS. But, because of its many challenging elements - 6000FT of climbing to its peak at 14,100FT in under 5 miles, its mile long knife edge class 3 ridge scramble, and its thunderstorm-prone location - we've spent the past few years physically preparing ourselves with extensive climbing training and waiting for the optimal conditions to make our summit attempt. Let us just say... the wait was worth it! This California 14er had it all - beautiful views of Mt. Whitney and the surrounding peaks, a classic hike in Eastern Sierra beauty, and a spicy ridge to top off the climb to the summit :) Of course, if you are interested in attempting to climb Mount Russell, proper experience/climbing/safety/navigation gear are essential.
#hiking #easternsierra #californiahiking
Especially for those of us who are not physically able to adventure due to medical challenges, thank you for providing us with the privilege of these views!
Jessica thanks so much for reminding us why we do this! That is literally our single favorite thing about filming these adventures -- it makes us feel great joy and sense of purpose to take you along with us to these places!! ❤️
I was a nurse to an amazing man named Evan for 16 years. He passed away over two years ago. He loved watching Adam and Elise on there amazing hikes because he was unable to do them, himself. They actually became good friends with him during the last few months of his life. They mean the world to me because of that.
How blessed you are to have the support of each other. I think the videos are as much about the growth in your own relationship as in conquering the places you do.
Thanks very much, Jon -- that's a great observation and we have to agree with it. We've really improved as teammates to one another over the years, and it's great to hear that that comes across in the videos! ❤️
Completely agree, well said!
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Hi are y’all guys have a video about Split mountain in sierra ?
@@Tj-wz1sx Not yet, but it is for sure on the list, maybe even for this fall! ❤
@@LiveHardxLoveHard You must do Split! The campsite at the base (think it is Red Lake) is absolutely stunning! And the climb is superb!
Thanks for the making me feel like I'm gonna fall butterflies.....again lol.
Haha even I got a little bit of butterflies on this one, Victor. Adam not at all, he was straight-up loving it the whole way, but I got a few flutters on that knife edge! ❤️ --E
Yeah and then there is that fear of heights thing.... Thanks for sharing as always. My palms were sweaty watching the video, but the view was stunning. Stay safe and climb on!
For sure, Kim! This climb is do-able for anyone comfortable with class 3, but they have to be able to deal with extreme exposure. Fear of heights would make it not fun! ❤️
So much fun to watch u guys vicariously! Love it! Keep the vids coming please!
Really glad you're enjoying! We will for sure keep the vids coming, every single Thursday!! ❤️
Woah. Wow! 3/4 of the way through this and had to pause to comment. This might be livehardlovehard's best video yet! The knife edge, the dangle! 😲 Inspiring! You guys are awesome! You've come a long way since I first started watching you guys.
So glad you're liking this one, Scott! It's for sure one of our favorite climbs we've ever done -- it was just so exhilarating all the way along that knife-edge ridge, but we felt really in control and like we could enjoy it even while being very careful. Really happy that exhilaration comes across in the video, because it was just totally amazing up there! ❤️
I love how supportive you both are of each other. Confident, but not arrogant, experienced and smart. What proper climbing is all about. Keep killing it guys!
Thanks very much, Andrew -- that is really great to hear! And we will absolutely keep on killing it. Having an incredible adventure summer so far! ❤️
Wow - we didn't have that for quite some time, but I was so afraid for you just looking at it 😱
Please keep on taking good care - we don't wanna loose you two! 😘
And thank you for your message and your compassion! ❤
Yes Andre! We had been wanting to do this climb for so long, and it was wonderful to finally get to do it. And don't worry, we were very careful, and will keep being careful because we have a lot to explore the next few years and don't have time to get injured! ❤️
My favorite of your videos so far, just because of the heart-stopping spectacularity in all shots ! And back in my misspent youth, a buddy and I walked that walk, also. Good thing we had a couple years at Joshua Tree and Tahquitz under our belts, just to learn tolerance for exposure (even unroped) Time was when the summit register still had Norman Clyde’s sign-in. Got a slide of that somewhere. Remember your Grateful Dead, “Estimated Prophet” ; ‘California. . .like an angel, standin’ in a shaft of light, risin’ up to Paradise,”
Holy Moly, that is honestly one of the coolest things I've ever heard. We've made a couple of very cool untravelled summits and seen Bob Burd not far below us in the register and that was cool enough, but Norman Clyde is fantastic. So great you got a pic of it and kept the slide. We would have photoed the heck out of that too!!! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard LOL...we have a photo of your sign-in on Silliman!!!
@@loveandmayhem8148 Haha that is awesome! Silliman is SUCH a great hike!!
There is something very special about you guys. In a world full of utter craziness, I can always turn to both of you for love, laughs, happiness and beauty. 💕
Thank you so much, that is just a lovely and touching compliment that we won't soon forget. And the feeling goes both ways -- the world really is full of craziness, but it is such a comfort to have this community to remind us that kindness and mutual support are still all around us as well. ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Amen! ❤
Tick that box. SO WELL DONE!! You two rock! Great practice for Matterhorn! Way to rise, Adam. Blessings to Guitar Jeff and God speed. I think you guys should claim and name that obstacle on the final ridge line to the summit the GuitarJeff Step! People can pay also homage to Jeff as they look over toward Guitar Lake from there! Music, Elise, beautiful and perfect as ever. Love you two. ❤
Thanks GW! Love the idea about Guitar Jeff Step -- genius! Once I start guiding people up this thing, I'm just straight up gonna start calling it that and hopefully it will catch on! --A
I have to clean my keyboard off because my palms are dripping sweat onto it. Hoooollly crap that looks terrifying! Do you guys ever get into the exposure and think "I really will be very glad to be done with this"? Amazing video and I'm glad you guys got down safely so you could post it :) I was just up in Whitney Portal last weekend for some recreational camping with friends and it's such beautiful country. Congratulations! So cool!
Thanks Matt! Actually, once we got onto the ridge line it was really, really fun because the rock and holds were so good. If it had been crumbly rock, or a lack of solid holds, we would def have been looking forward to being done (like we were on the Galena traverse). But here we felt very in control of each move, so the exposure felt more exhilarating than terrifying if that makes sense. Glad you were up at the Portal -- such a great area in every direction! ❤️
Adam and Elise, I'm a 73 years old guy. Four years ago, my son and I secured the Mt. Whitney pass. When we arrived, I told him let's drive up and do a short hike up and familiarize ourselves with the trail. It was early afternoon and hot. We were going up the next day. Now, previously our climbing was limited to the White Mountains of Vermont and a trip to Yosemite (no half dome). We were about to turn around at the log bridge when I said "let's try it". Of course, we didn't have poles and at the end of the last log I slipped and sprained my ankle. That was it. I had given up my bucket list goal of doing at least one over 14'er when I discovered your videos. Now I'm psyched again. Going to shoot for one of the Colorado 14'ers next summer. btw I have a titanium left shoulder, left hip and left knee from marathons and lifting in the '80's. Also, three fused vertebrae in my lower back. I'm going to let you know when (not if) I accomplish it. Hope you remember this post. You two are terrific inspirations. I will remember to take at least a dozen poptarts! Ken
Ken this is making us so stoked to read -- thank you for telling us that!! We cannot wait to see what 14er you choose, and we have a suggestion if you want one. Mt Elbert is CO's highest peak at over 14,400, but it also has a relatively smooth trail to the top which would be easier on your knees, hip, and back than trails that require a lot of scrambling. And the view from the top is amazing! Anyway, please keep us updated on your training progress and your 14er adventure -- we're very excited about it! ❤️
White Mountain CA
Old folks home.
Went up last year with my three replaced knees. Have your kid take a mountain bike for you to ride back down. Bam.
14252. Road to top. The Patriarch Grove out by it is exceptional to walk up surrounding hills.
It's over 11000 feet at both Bristlecone sights. Parking at locked gate is 12000+
Parking at Cottonwood Lakes is over 10k. Basically no real steep sections out to Lakes. 11600 unless you want to go up wall 🧱 to Langley. Not me. Some like Langley. Beartooth man. It's user friendly.
Best in USA in late July
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Thanks for the reply. I'm gathering all of the info that I can get my hands on. I can't run anymore because of my artificial knee and hip. I have a high-end elliptical that I use 4 times a week plus a stationary bike plus a Golden and a Lab mix that I walk in our hilly park. One thing that I've found that I use religiously when I'm in fairly decent shape is a Sparthos Workout Mask for High Altitudes. You can adjust the air flow to match a given altitude. I'm sure that you two wouldn't need them but there may be others in the community that live 300 feet above sea level as I do. It does work. Amazon $39.97. Here is the splash info "Sparthos High Altitude Mask - Simulate High Altitudes - for Gym, Cardio, Fitness, Running, Endurance and HIIT Training [16 Breathing Levels] " . Thanks for the videos. Most inspiring. And if that's you singing in the background Elise, you have the voice of an angel!!
@@kenkrempasky2732 Thanks so much, Ken! That is me singing in all the videos -- so glad you like it! ❤ --E
You guys scare the heck out of me!
Haha no worries, Joseph, this one had some intense exposure for sure but luckily the rock was really good and had lots of solid holds. The really scary ones are the ones with loose rock, but we're trying to stay away from those as much as possible! ❤️
Here you two go again scaring the daylights out of me! I sit here watching you both climbing the knife edge, just inches away from plummeting several thousand feet to your demise. And what do you do? Dangle your feet over the edge while enjoying jelly beans and pop tarts! And I set here with my feet tingling while my heart races, covering my eyes from fear. You two are the best!!!! 😘
Haha yes Phyllis! You know I always say nothing makes a pop tart taste better than a 3000 foot drop, and I've now done enough personal research to confirm that it's true! Really glad you saw this one -- it is already one of our all time favorite climbs! ❤️ --A
@@LiveHardxLoveHard 🤣
This one seriously had my heart pounding just watching! Y’all are so inspiring ❤
Thanks Jennifer, that really means a lot to us. Our biggest shared life goal is to be inspiring in positive ways, so knowing that you feel inspired from this is super encouraging and motivating! ❤️
I had to keep telling myself, “I know they make it because I’m watching the video” 😂. Awesome climb guys 👍🏽
Thanks Ray! Yes this one definitely raises the pulse a little with those long drop offs. The nice thing is that it remained class 3 the whole way, so even though the drops were scary looking at least we didn't have to make any hard moves with 3000 feet of air below us! ❤️
You guys rock! I love your adventures to places I could never go. Even with your photography I know when to say “hard pass”. So cool to see what is….thank you…awesome!
Thanks Bruce! Delighted to share this one with you. Yes this one isn't technical, but definitely requires an enjoyment of long, steep drop-offs and high-consequence class 3 scrambling, which is for sure an acquired taste! ❤️
Awesome that you gave a shout out to Guitar Jeff. Great video!
Thanks very much! We're really going to miss Guitar Jeff, but so glad to celebrate his spirit right there with Guitar Lake in the background! ❤️
You two have got it going on !
It gave me the willies just watching watching you all going up that knife edge. Fantastic job...your support for each other is fantastic.
The views just out of this world.
Be safe and thx for your experiences.
Thank you! We really needed a lot of cooperation and mutual support on this one, and so happy you picked up on those vibes -- a true team effort! ❤️
Hey guys, I have been looking forward to this video ever since you mentioned you were going to climb Russell. I read about Russell years ago, the scree slope and the knife edge, and it was really phenomenal to see all of it in the video. The knife edge was scarier, longer and more exposed than I had imagined! You both have nerves of steel! The views from up there are beyond mind blowing. I'm gonna watch the down climb video, if I dare! Double dangle on!
Haha you know it's a special climb when E does the double dangle, David! Really glad to show you this one. It's been top of our list for two years now, but it never worked out for us to be there at the right time with permits, weather, etc, while we were in LA. But once we got up to the Sierra we knew it would happen. So happy about it, and it's a climb neither of us will ever forget! --A
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Yeah, the weather looked perfect.
What an amazing mountain view of gorgeous blue icy lakes - way to go Adam in your sleep depraved state
Thanks Rick! It really was an incredible view of the lakes -- I could see 9 different ones just sitting on that summit snack spot. Heaven! --A
That was a crazy climb! You guys are awesome!👏👏
Thanks Ken! This one really was unique with that crazy long knife edge -- so glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
You know....there are many good channels on hiking, however, this IMO trumps them all ! Cheers to another fantastic segment. Thanks for sharing as always.
Next episode I'm going to strap on my HR monitor just to see how I handle it, just for grins....lol
Thank you so much, that is really wonderful to hear! We were so looking forward to sharing this one with you guys -- really glad you liked it and were feeling that exposure! ❤️
Wow gorgeous. Nerves of steel you guys on those ledges -
Thanks Shelley! Yes this one was much more about controlling nerves than about any technical climbing. But wow did that make it exhilarating!! ❤️
This is a big hike Elise... À massive rock formation and more than 14000 feet.. I am impressed... But afraid at same time as so many loose rocks and unstable sands.. But from the top I understand you and Adam... Just incredible views.. Thanks for the videos.. It's my favorite Thursday night pleasure.. Hope your nomads life is going well.. Thanks 🤗😘👌🥂
Thanks very much, Serge! The good news is that the rocks on the ridge were really good and not loose, so it was just all that sand and scree down lower that was a challenge but at least not too dangerous! So happy to show you this one -- it was my favorite climb in a long time! ❤️ --E
@@LiveHardxLoveHard oh great Elise I was really worried... 👌
Wow!! Just loved watching every minute of your journey on that video. That scenery and knife edge is truly breathtaking. Even i got goosebumps watching it haha. You two are just amazing 🥰
Thanks Tony! It's such a pleasure when we're high up on these really spectacular ones just thinking about how much you guys are going to enjoy the footage, and really happy that you loved this one. That gives us great energy going into the next adventure! ❤️
Rough and tough! Thanks for the inspiration!
Our pleasure, Luke! Hope you do this one -- it is truly spectacular, and well worth the slog up to the ridge. ❤️
That gnarly climb put me on the edge of my seat. My legs would most likely be shaken along that knife edge.
Ya it's really the exposure just being right there and ever-present that makes this such an emotional challenge. There are literally no really hard moves, but the challenge really is to keep your body from freaking out when it's looking down 3000 feet! ❤️
those lakes reminded me of Guitar lake when we climbed Whitney in the 60's as a boy scout. THANKS, p.s. insane!!!!! love it
Not only did it remind you of Guitar Lake, Bob, that actually was Guitar Lake we showed in the 360! You can see it from Russell as well as from Whitney!! I wonder if they still take boy scouts up Whitney...would sure be cool if they did! ❤️
ELISE and ADAM a hello from France. Back to the roots with this beautiful and scabrous adventure in mountains with impressive panoramas. I've been following you for a few years, and despite your physical condition, your caution and your professionalism, I admit that sometimes I'm afraid for you, but everything is said in ELISE's song, no fear, only the desire to fly beyond the peaks. This time ELISE didn't have gloves, it's surprising on such sharp rocks, and ADAM you almost never wear them. Kisses to you both. DAN
ELISE et ADAM un bonjour de France. Retour aux sources avec cette belle aventure scabreuse dans des montagnes au panorama impressionnant. Je vous suis depuis quelques années, et malgré votre condition physique, votre prudence et votre professionnalisme, j’avoue que parfois j’ai peur pour vous, mais tout est dit dans la chanson d’ELISE, pas de peur, seulement l’envie de voler par-delà des cimes. Cette fois ELISE n’avait pas de gants, c’est surprenant sur des rochers aussi acérés, et ADAM tu n’en mets presque jamais. Bises à vous deux. DAN
Dan thank you so much -- I'm really happy you like the song! It is one of our favorites. And you are right about the gloves -- I did bring some in my pack, but Adam said he wanted to feel the rock so I just followed his lead and went bare-handed on the way up. But then I did wear them on the way down when I felt more confident, because some of those rocks were sharp! ❤️ --E
I love a good scramble....but I'll leave that knife edge to you guys!! What a crazy summit. Great video!
Haha that's totally fair, Sarah. Knife-edges with exposure like this one are definitely an acquired taste. I suspect that your love of scrambles will eventually lead you to acquiring that taste, but there's no need to rush it! --A
Such an incredible video and climb…I hope it was everything you guys dreamed of! Looks like the video has gotten a lot of attention, too…excited to see the channel grow. Well deserved
Thanks Colby! It really was everything we'd hoped for. The views and the exposure were insane, but the rock and the holds were great so it wasn't like we were nervous the whole time or anything. There were a couple of scary moves here and there, but overall the whole traverse was an absolute blast! ❤️
Another harrowing hike! What amazes me is how nonchalant you are about all of your down-climbs. Seems like you should get parachutes asa reward. Love you guys.
Haha Elise doesn't want to hear that, Bob, because my dream is to go up there with a paraglider and just glide all the way back down into Lone Pine, but she thinks I'm crazy! ❤️
"Russelll?...Somebody gonna get a hurt reall bad!"
Well done, Adam, for your amazing spirit as always, despite not being able to see perfectly and facing several adversities. Hope you recover to 100% health very very soon. Fur Elise: Looking amazing, agile as ever🎵
Thanks very much! Ya in truth I haven't been feeling my best physically, but emotionally and in terms of life goals the past couple of months have been amazing, so I would make that trade any day! --A
Incredible! If there was a way to fall 10 times down the side, I would have done it with my vertigo. This is so cool!
Haha ya Monte this one would definitely not be fun with vertigo, but so happy to take you along on it virtually! It was one of the two or three most thrilling summits we've ever done. ❤️
Gosh, what a forbidding landscape, as far as the eye can see! These gazing-off-cliff views are the one time 3D vid would really add to your wonderful videography. Adam, sending healing vibes - and new shades (maybe with earpiece strap? :) -Liam
Thanks Liam! Oh my gosh if we had this thing in 3D it would be insane! If they come up with good portable 3D cameras we will jump on that for sure. And the glasses strap is a good idea, especially if I'm gonna keep putting us in bushwhack situations! --A
This time of year I'm usually focusing on a short trip to CO to hike some 14ers, so I'm doing a lot of CO route researching. Wow, I really need to think about a CA hike to one of those grand mountains! Thank you so much for sharing this epic hike/climb to Mt Russell!! It looks pretty gnarly in spots but definitely great that you do this together for numerous reasons! Love your music near the top as well!! Cheers and will look forward to your next adventure and way to persevere!! Very inspirational!! 🦾🦾
Dan let us know what gems you find for CO -- we're going to be heading there in the fall! And yes you for sure need to do Russell. The whole ridge line is epic, and with good route finding there's virtually nothing harder than class 3. It's just about mentally handling the extreme exposure -- it's a climb you won't ever forget. Arguably even more exhilarating than Maroon, and you know we love Maroon! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard - Will do, for sure! I don't think for this trip that I'll be doing any thing spicy, just trying to add to my 14er checklist. So probably Belford/Oxford, DeCaLiBron, and maybe a couple others. May try our friend Karl's Ruby to Gray's (check out his video: Grays Peak - Ruby Mtn Ridge Traverse | Through the Clouds! via Peru Creek, CO)..... Cheers!
Holy crap guys. Amazing!!!
Thanks Dan! So happy you saw this one -- we've wanted it for a long time, and it felt so amazing to finally do it! ❤️
You two are amazing. If it's hikable...you go. And to think you are fueled by pop tops.. incredible. 😅
Haha pop tarts and jellybeans, Jason -- don't forget the Jellybeans! ❤️
Oh just so incredible!! And probably for treks like this . . You have protein covered jellies 🍬@@LiveHardxLoveHard
Adam ,Elise! "Thanks for the Ride"! I can Feel the Oneness from here Toronto i would Luv it! It would quiet me down( Calm me) ! Dean( Soul)
That is great to hear, Dean! And you are right. Even when we are far from the Sierra, we can go to those peaks and lakes in our minds and spirits and feel at one with the universe! ❤️
Wow, I actually found this one tough to watch. My hands were getting sweaty 😂. Well done guys
Haha yeah those long drops can hit you right in the nervous system for sure! But rest assured it is actually a pretty safe route in terms of having good rock quality and excellent hand and foot holds the whole way. ❤️
Epic climb. fighting through the adversity to get to the summit, well done both of you!! Adam what a fighter mate and one of the best snack spots at the top, well deserved. :)
Thank you -- I really appreciate that you understand how much sweeter a great snack spot is when it's truly hard earned. Those ones on the ridge and summit were among my all time favorites! --A
Omg I had to watch with breaks to ease the tension ! That knife ridge looked so scary . As for the double dangle at snack top my calves were quivering !
Haha we did the same thing when climbing the ridge! We didn't show them all, but we took about 5 breaks just to shake it out and make sure we were totally sharp! ❤️
God Bless you ! Thank you for taking us along on your wonderful adventures.
Well done guys, that was a gnarly hike, especially that ridge at the end. My palms were sweating just watching you do it! Thanks for sharing
Thanks very much! Ya it's a really interesting hike in that it's not technical, but it has so much exposure that there are places where it almost feels technical. But if you're okay with the exposure part, it sure is fun!! ❤️
Great idea to have e-ledges for us virtual hikers :)
Haha one day they're gonna make the cameras and satellite links so good we'll be able to take you along on the entire e-climb! ❤️
Super gnarly and while all of your videos are impressive, this one is off the charts.
Really happy you enjoyed it!! Once we got up on that ridge line and saw what it actually was, I can't tell you how excited we were to show it to you guys. Probably the most epic ridge to a summit we've ever encountered, even adding in the Alps! ❤️
This is BIG TIME! Can't wait to be in the Sierras next week. Love it, ya'll! 😍
Yes! So excited for you!! It doesn't matter how many times we go, or even partially living there at this point, we still get completely excited every single time we get to one of those classic trailheads. You're gonna have the best time!!! ❤️
Mad respect for this one . Me and my buddies are thinking about attempting this one sometime in the next few months , video was super helpful.
Matthew that is great to hear! As long as no one has a fear of heights and you're all altitude acclimated you guys are going to love it. Nothing harder than class 3, but lots and lots of very exhilarating class 3, and reaching that summit is freaking epic! ❤️
here are a couple tips for your upcoming attempt. You can avoid the sand slog by going directly up the drainage of upper boy scout lake, bang a right at the chute just before the ridge on Russel, keep in mind this way is still a slog its just not as loose as the other way. I think this way is referred to as the "rockwell varation" Buy some of those trail running gaiters as there is so much sand and rocks on both the way up and down they will keep your shoes or boots from filling up. If you have the skill set you can rappel down the south chute which is in between the two summits its easy to find and there will be old slings there. This variation is cool because you don't have to retrace the traverse and you end up on the north side of whitney then just hike out via the Whitney Russel col and drop down into iceberg lake. this makes it a big loop and keeps it fresh!
Very well done. Awesomely beautiful. The hike/climb didn't look all that much fun, though with willows, steep steep, scree fields, and then that scarey knife edge. Congratulations on conquering another difficult summit.
Thanks Mickey! Ya the scree going up was rough, but honestly the knife edge was so, so fun. It was good rock with really nice holds, which makes all the difference on that kind of thing! ❤️
@LiveHardxLoveHard
Yea, sure, you two are incredible. I would do that long scree field 100 times before doing that knife edge. In fact, I know I'll never do Russell because of that knife edge. 🙂
Oh, that was intense! Thanks for taking us along, as always! It reminded me a bit of the knife edge I attempted years ago - trying to summit Mount Lyell from the south. Drop offs weren't quite as bad there but still a pretty sketch ridge traverse. Maybe look into that some time for one of your adventures! Adam, I feel for you - one of the side effects of my RA is Chrohn's too.
Jeff we will look into Lyell for sure -- you know we can't turn down a nice traverse! Sorry to hear about the RA -- we have so much in common, both for better and worse, but mostly better! --A
Good lord! Is that the hardest climb yet?! That looked GNARLY!
It was definitely one of the hardest, Thomas, just given the extreme elevation and the cardio difficulty of getting up to the ridge, and then the two-way challenge of the traverse. For me, the ridge line was actually a ton of fun because thankfully the rock was really good, but the sheer length of the traverse combined with the focused, more technical parts were also a challenge so I would definitely put this in the top 5 hardest climbs. Cactus to Clouds to Cactus and the Iron-Baldy traverse were both harder physically, but neither was as technical. --A
you guys... Adam and Alise you keep scaring me with your climbs ... love ya for it tho from a very flat southampton UK
Thanks very much! I feel you on the flatness -- many years ago I went to boarding school in Devon, just outside of Exeter, and it was also very flat. We did get out to the water fairly often, which was nice, but topographically I was glad to get back to the American West. ❤️
I have a fear of heights...even watching the video!
Oh my gosh, Aaron, then definitely do Whitney but not this one! Whitney on the regular trail you can do without much exposure at all to long drops, but on Russell there's no way to avoid it! ❤️
This is one of your best videos ever! It's clear that overcoming the crazy Mount Russell challenges required immense mental and physical determination. Congratulations on your achievement! You did it!!! Watching the video was exhilarating and got my heart pumping - almost like a cardio workout! : )
By the way, I stumbled upon a TH-cam video titled 'Skiing Down Rocky Mountains In The Dolomites' and couldn't help but wonder: would it be possible for you to grab some rock skis and ski down the slope instead of carefully making your way down?
♥it!!!
Thanks so much, Robert! Oh my gosh, this down climb once off the ridge would have been absolutely perfect for rock skiing! We were even kind of skiing just in our boots going down the scree field. We will def have to look into that -- it would be so fun for long scree fields, and make for entertaining video footage too! ❤️
Awesome!!! Russell always looked so much more tempting than Whitney. Def. on my to do list once I get back out west.
Yes! We felt the same way, especially because when you look at it from Whitney the knife edge really does look intimidating. But it is definitely doable as a class 3 the whole way as long as you are careful about route-finding and picking the right lines. Very excited you're going to do it -- it is truly epic being up there in person, and you won't regret the effort! ❤️
This is a good one .not for the faint of heart.
That's for sure, David -- anyone who does this one needs to be ready for it not just physically but emotionally as well! ❤️
One word ... Insane !
Haha we were feeling a little crazy ourselves a couple times up there! ❤️
I'm 32 and climb mountains and this looks exhausting, that false summit is heartbreaking. Doing exposed tedious 3rd class climbing while tired and at altitude is hard work, but you two always pull through!
Thanks very much, and you are right about the altitude! Even pretty simple moves feel a lot harder at 14,000 feet. But this summit is so freaking epic with those 360 views that it is totally worth all the effort -- we def think you'd enjoy it a lot! ❤
You guys love the danger zone. Stay safe out there! Amazing place Ive never seen on video. I guess everyday of life is a leap of faith.
Thanks very much, and so happy we could take you to a place you hadn't seen before! And don't worry, we will always stay safe, and make sure that we're totally trained and prepared for any challenge before we try it! ❤️
Wow. This channel and you two never get old!
Haha thanks Steve! I'm not going to lie -- I was feeling every one of my 30-something years after this one, but it was completely worth it! ❤️ --E
Just watching you climbing that knife edge gave me goosebumps... I don't think I could ever do this kind of a thing just psychologically... But seeing you doing it was really cool. Again, I am reiterating that if you ever decide to do Hardergrat near Interlaken in Switzerland, you'll be stoked! Hey Adam, that scree is like an epitome of the giving up vert, isn't it? Each step, you get up by 40 cm and at the same time slide down by 20 - seems like constant giving up vert even though going up))) Crazy! Loved this video even more than usual!
Haha yes you are 100 percent right! In fact, there was originally a whole segment of me complaining about how much extra we had to climb from continually slipping back down, but we had to make some cuts because the video was getting a bit long. And we for sure have Hardergrat on our to-do list for next time we are over there! --A
Simply spectacular, thank you for showing us these scenic beauties.
It's our pleasure, Joao! We love sharing these places with you!! ❤️
Let's Go Adam !!!🦾🦾🦾
Let's Goooooooo -- always! So worth the effort! 🙏💪 --A
Incredible views up there! Great video, as always!!!
Miguel it was totally amazing! Probably the best views we've ever had from a Sierra summit, and that's definitely saying something! ❤️
Shepherd Pass to Tyndall is another less frightening one. Long haul up to pass 12800+, but Lake is right there at the pass, Tyndall is freakishly ginormous, that view is literally the top three I have seen in the west. Rounding the corner and Tyndall there. Yes, there are the pretty views but as far as shocking it and Toroweap blew me away. Gould is the easiest and the view is of three valleys one basin, Golden Trout Lake. You can see Junction Williamson Tyndall University Dragon and a bunch more
We've been getting a few Tyndall recommendations lately! It's already on the list, but we might need to move it up!
Holy crap that's some amazing view and some scary areas. I got dizzy watching it on the huge TV. I like to hear your Warrior cry next time you guys accomplished a high crazy ⛰️ climb climbing
Haha so glad you watched it on the big screen! Oh my gosh that ridge was epic. We promise there will be some more warrior cries coming your way this year!! ❤️
Great video! That ridge looked like so much fun. I may check it out . Thank you so much.
Thanks Guregori! Yes it was one of the funnest ridge traverses we've ever done, and we've done a lot of them. Hope you get a chance to do it! ❤️
Absolutely magnificent summit shots!!! You two are simply awesome!!! 💞
Thank you so much! We're delighted that those summit shots came through on camera -- in person it just blew us away, and we stayed up there for a long time just trying to soak it all in! ❤️
FANTASTIC !! 🙂
Thanks Petr! This one is a real California classic!!! ❤️
You are so in paradise! So happy for you! It’s a happy playground. So very challenging and thrilling. And filming it to boot! You guys are amazing. And once again, thanks sooooo much for sharing. Wish I was there. So inspiring and beautiful. Sierras are my favorite mountains. Damn, thanks🏄♀️🤸♂️🌷💕🏜️
Yes Mary! The Sierra in summer is definitely as close as we'll get to paradise on earth. Super glad we could show you this perspective on the area with perfect weather too -- it's definitely a day we'll never forget. ❤️
hurts just watching this! definitely afraid of those heights!
Haha ya Thaddee as amazing as this climb is, it would not be fun do do it with a fear of heights because there's literally no avoiding some of the knife-edge drop offs. With that said though, it really can be done class 3 the whole way so at least there are no really gnarly moves that have to be done over those giant drops! ❤️
Congrats for your climb 👍
Thanks very much -- this one felt really good! ❤️
If Adam ever earned a poptart it was definitely on this hike. Have 2 or 3!
Haha yes!!!! 💪❤️
Please please stay safe out there to the both of you
Don't worry we are really committed to safety as we do some harder peaks this year. We're taking it step by step, and making darn sure we don't try anything with exposure unless we're sure we can handle every move. ❤️
Unbelievable what you both do and accomplish. So fearless, and so supportive of each other. Keep it up, but be careful too.
Thanks very much, Glen, and we promise we will keep being careful and prepared. We actually delayed doing this one for a year just to make sure our rock climbing skills were totally on point. It turned out that there weren't really any hard moves on the route, but we were totally ready and prepared for it if there had been. ❤️
Never get tired of hearing your beautiful voice singing live hard, love harder to finish off the awesome video.
Thanks Joe! That's very encouraging, and makes me feel really happy to hear! ❤️ --E
Thank you two for this scary, amazing adventure. Have you considered any hikes in the North Cascades, went there in 2023 and discovered some amazing hikes. &
Yes Paul! We have big plans for a Washington/Cascades trip, and are currently trying to figure out when we can fit it in. Adam grew up in that area and absolutely loves it, and we intend to go for a month or more!! ❤️
U guys are wild! It looks very intimidating
Haha it really was one of the most intimidating ridges we've ever been on in terms of constant exposure to big drops, but on the bright side there were no really hard moves or bad rock -- it was all very doable as long as you can handle looking at all those long drops right next to you! ❤️
Fantastic! Didn't know how high those mountains are over there 😮The ridge would allow for easy placement of protection gear with its many cracks - for the less gnarly-dicey-resitant folks😀. More weight and more time, though.
Yes Hermann! There are many opportunities to place protection along the class 3 route, and also there is another way up called Fishhook Arrete that is a 5.9 trad climb with about 8 pitches. It looks like a beautiful route, and if we're up for carrying all the gear we might try it at some point in the future. ❤️
The only thing gnarlier than that skree field, was that ridgeline knife edge 😮!! NO WAY could I do this! 10/10 for both of you!
Haha thank you -- a perfect 10 on the balance beam, just in time for the Olympics!!! ❤️
You guys are great! Unfortunately after this video I decided that I will never attempt to climb Mount Russell. The level of terror would end me. The video almost did it, but I loved it.
Haha fair enough, Dan. We felt the same way the first time we ever looked across at it from the top of Whitney. But something about that incredibly long knife edge just kept calling to us, and eventually we succumbed! ❤️
you guys are crazy! Iam sweating in my palms looking at this video! Thanks for sharing ❤
So happy to share this one with you! The views and the drops were epic the whole way along the ridge, and even while we were on it we were talking about how excited we were to show it to you guys -- def an all-time fave! ❤️
I had sweaty hands for the second half of the video, you guys are awesome!
Thanks so much! Ya those drop offs are no joke, but luckily the rock and holds were great which made it a lot more enjoyable than it could have been! ❤️
Love the song E!
Thanks very much, Bill! That is one of our favorites!! ❤️
Wow! Awesome Knife Edge Ridge & wonderful video shots all around on a gorgeous day! Way to Go!
Thanks Denise! It really was a beautiful day up there, and even for the whole down climb not a cloud in the sky. So glad you enjoyed! ❤️
I did this a few years ago. Very good route. I had a guide and a rope, so it wasn't so stressful. 😅 Nice work
Thanks Mike! Ya there really is a legitimately class 3 route the whole way through, it's just about route-finding it and being comfortable with the exposure so it makes a lot of sense why a guide would be useful on this! ❤️
Great job guys! That’s some serious exposure. I’m off to do Agassiz and Split Mountain in the next few days. Some day I’ll hit up Russell.
That is awesome!! Please let us know how both of them go and if you'd recommend one more than another, because they are both peaks that are definitely on our list too. Have a great time and crush it out there! ❤️
Waterfall sounds wonderful, Being home bound and watching you both is great I get to enjoy the adventure you take us along ,Thank you for sharing but YIKES 😮
Andrea we loved taking you on this one! Really glad you enjoyed, and it was honestly perfect for making a video because the drops were so severe but the holds were really great so it was actually never too scary. We had a pretty great time (except for the bushwhacking -- that sucked!). ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard ❤️💯🙏
Awesome!! 🤩
Thanks Susan! It felt amazing up there!! ❤️
For real guys, I watch a lot of these, being with Karl Decker, and I have to say, this is your crowning achievement! Tremendous narrative and tension capture, one helluva job!!! Thanks 👍👍
Thanks Eric! That really means a lot to us, especially given that you definitely know adventure hanging out with Karl the CO adventure legend! ❤️
That was the most intense hike I have ever seen. Congratulations. I like to think i am pretty brave but I do not think I will be attempting this one.
Thanks Steve! Yes this one really requires a tolerance for some extreme drop-offs. That tolerance can definitely be developed over time if you want to, though, just by very gradual exposure training. Even three years ago I never would have sat on one of Adam's dangling snack spots with him, but now it's much easier just from gradually getting used to it. ❤️ --E
First I must say way to hang in there Adam, it's tough going when you don't feel good, Russell is such a great mountain, the Fishook is a true classic and not that difficult, I find myself going back every year and , my hope is that you guys find yourself doing the same, it's such a beautiful place, congratulations on a very special mountain, thanks so much Larry Owens
Thanks very much, Larry! I think we are going to follow your lead on this. We've really come to love that whole area, and want to do some of the easier class 5 routes up Whitney and then maybe Russell too. So we will definitely be going back repeatedly! ❤️
Greaaaaat………job!!!!!!
Thanks Marc! This one felt really, really good! ❤️
What a dramatic landscape (and climb) - stunning!
Thanks Catherine! Really happy we could show you this one -- it is a true classic of California mountaineering, and to get it on a perfectly clear day like that was really a blessing. ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard It was wonderful - and for me a landscape that is so very unfamiliar. ❤
Had to watch it again. Epic. Talking Jeff up with Whitney behind you, really cool. I always tell you, go to the mountain next to the mountain. 😅
Equivalent view but not as good is Tyndall. Gould. If looking for high and multi peak Shepherd Pass is your ticket to Paradise.
Ya you were right about that for sure, Dan. The views from Russell summit are actually way better than Whitney summit since you get the full 360. Shepherd Pass is def gonna happen! ❤️
A traverse that nobody does is Bradley University Kearsarge Pinnacles. Junction Peak is right off Shepherd Pass literally turn right walk up it, but you can do Panoramic right at pass above the lake. Once you go to Shepherd Pass, it's over. Your sold as far as peaks on multi day effort goes. They are huge. Easier than Palisades overall.
Dragon is a fatal funnel. You get ten times the bang for your buck off Mount Gould and better view of Golden Trout Lake. Mucho easier, too.
Russell is number one knife edge. Because it is next to Whitney.
I'm not sure I've sweat so much watching a video since I saw "Free Solo". It looks like you were scrambling up large Jenga pieces that were about to fall any second. I have no clue how you navigated it either. Congrats!
Thank you so much! I was thinking exactly the same thing when we were up there -- that it looked like a giant Jenga!! Luckily Adam is really talented at navigating ridge lines because he's been doing it since he was a kid, and he can almost always find us a safe way through. ❤️ --E
Incredible footage! Beautiful mountain! The helmet only works if you wear it. 😉
Thanks Josh! I hope everyone saw that we wore the helmets all the way through the E-ledges, which is why we brought them for the potential of rockfall. No rockfall potential on the ridge traverse, and if you fell off that knife edge a helmet would be zero help! ❤️
Congratulations for achieving this summit that you've both wanted for a time !
Thank you! There really is something special about wanting something, being nervous about it, and then making it happen. We're still feeling high from it! ❤️
Enjoy and bask in that feeling you two absolutely deserve it ! Thank you for sharing ,you make me feel happy and inspired .
So impressive. Did any rocks on the knife edge ever move unexpectedly under your feet?
Thanks, and that's a good question. Happy to report that the rocks were extremely stable -- lots of good holds, and nothing crumbly. It made for a truly enjoyable ridge traverse. Challenging, but super fun. ❤️