I first saw Temple Crag during the summer of 1996 when Randal G. and Brad C. and myself went backpacking up the North Fork of Bing Pine Creek. This area, known as the Palisades, is the most alpine region in the Sierras. It is a very magical place and anyone who sees Temple Crag and the other peaks and lakes becomes enchanted by it. Needless to say I have been back every year since during all seasons, sometimes multiple times a year for day hikes, snowshoeing and of coarse backpacking. Kim Livingstone joined Randal Gengor and myself four consecutive years and we were successful in climbing Mt. Gayley up a class 3 route known as the "yellow brick road". Since then I have solo climbed class 2/3 routes up Mt Agassiz, and Cloudripper. Temple Crag is rock climbers dream, and with many class 5 routes there is only one "easy" class 3 way up! The time had finally come for me to make the commitment and "go for it". From a camp at 10,000ft.elev. I climbed the 3,000 to the peak in 3.5 hours. Probably the most exhilarating thing I have ever done I learned alot about myself. At 13,000 ft. near the summit came the moment of truth, just 50 ft. from the top I encountered the last bit of class 3 climbing. Only this time there was over 1000 ft. of exposure on both sides. I thought "can't I just say I did it" who would know after all I was very close. I will let the pictures speak!