Early afternoon, after a few hours’ drive from Mount Rose south of Reno, I approach Virginia Peak, northwest of Reno and near Pyramid Lake. It’s the second Ribu today. I drive up unpaved Microwave Rd., and the road name hilariously matches the warning sign at the top about potential radiation—maybe I’ll shine today like casino machines. I park near the antennas at an altitude of 2530m. From there, it’s a short walk to the other antennas and a pile of rocks to climb.
The sign warns of radio frequencies exceeding standards. Okay, it is what it is, but that can’t stop a peak bagger from bagging peaks, especially when there’s a big cairn and an ascent log box waiting.
Two Ribus in one day and I still have plenty of time to get back to the hotel room and work. That’s exactly what I do, spending the rest of the day with a keyboard and a cup of coffee in hand. Tomorrow morning, I’ll drive towards Rye Patch Reservoir and try to climb another ultra-prominent peak—Star Peak.
