I ascended Lamarck Col from the west after climbing Mt. Lamarck in fall's shoulder season 2015. The way from the summit to the col led me through a beautiful and fun class 2 route above Darwin Bench. The views to Darwin and Mendel were spectacular, lending me a lot of respect for those that climb these peaks, or even complete a traverse along the full ridgeline. Great vistas and great weather gave me yet another perfect weekend in California's Sierra Nevada.