After climbing steep snow to reach this ledge, my climbing partner takes off his crampons in anticipation of climbing on rock during a winter ascent of Mt. Whitney's East Face. Despite the beautiful view, this was a tense moment, because as soon we left this ledge we were committed to climbing 1500 ft of technical rock to the summit, as the easiest and safest way off the face is to summit then descend. Even though his face is not visible, you can sense his contemplative apprehension.