1960s ASCENT OF EICHORN PINNACLE IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK DOCUMENTARY MOUNTAINEERING XD60804

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website This is an episode of the television show “True Adventure“ hosted by actor Bill Burrud. Burrud narrates the story of how two Yosemite Park Rangers scaled the Eichorn Pinnacle. This feature is an impressive 50-foot needle that comprises Cathedral Peak’s west summit. Burrud describes the Sierra Nevada as a rock climber’s heaven: it has about a dozen peaks that anyone can climb. (1:06). He then proceeds to discuss the Eichorn, and how dangerous it is, even for experienced climbers (1:12). Here, he shows his viewers the two National Park Rangers that we follow throughout the film, John Merryman and Morrie Conrad. Burrud claims that even mountains ten times higher, do not pose more challenge to a skilled climber than the Eichorn (1:45). Burrud begins the next section of the film with an introduction to Yosemite. At 3:13, Burrud states that “your rope is your lifeline” he also mentions the importance of pitons. Burrud tells the viewers that the Eichorn’s Pinnacle is in the Cathedral Range, which divides “the upper basin of the Merced River from that of the Toulumne” (4:56). The trek to the base of Eichorn is relatively easy. Eichorn Pinnacle is actually below and to the west of Cathedral Peak, which is just shy of 11,000 feet. Cathedral Range was first summited in 1869, but it was not until July 1931 that people made it to the top of Eichorn (6:21-23). At (7:00), the two expert climbers begin their ascent. Burrud explains the Sierra Club’s mountain climbing classification system, a system based not on difficulty of the mountain or peak, but rather on what a competent party will need (7:28-37). Eichorn’s Pinnacle is usually considered a class 4 ascent (8:03). However, the two climbers chose a route that is classified as level six. They begin to put the pitons and nylon rope to use. The rest of the film plays out as: partial view of Yosemite (8:54). The strain of the piton is shown as the climbers are going up with suspenseful music playing in the background (9:44). View of Eichorn (9:55). Burrud explains that climbers climb in turns (10:19-20). The second phase of the climb begins (11:19). Mari reaches the top of the Eichorn (11:49). Both John and Mari stand at the top of the Eichorn (12:39). View of the Sierra Nevada (12:48). The descent begins (13:48). They use the rope not just for safety, but also to jump down, they officially start the descent at 14:57. Tense music plays while they go straight down. The first stage, the hard part, of the descent is completed (16:36). They return via the shaded side of the mountain. They are back on level ground (17:57). Burrud states that a California geological survey report describes half dome as a peak that will “never be trodden by human foot” (18:37).In the final section, Burrud starts to talk about the giant Sequoias, the wildlife, and the surrounding nature in Yosemite National Park (19:00-24:09). A deer is caught on camera (19:34). A black bear is filmed (19:45). A bird (19:51). A squirrel (20:22). The Merced River (20:42). A clear stream (21:12). Trout under clear water (21:15). Waterfall that cascades (21:52). Free leaping waterfall (22:12). Vernal Fall (22:53). Bridal Veil Fall (23:26). A rainbow is featured (23:56). The conclusion, Burrud himself comes back on the screen (24:16). He talks about the first climb of the Matterhorn. We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit