Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Conditions On Baldy

news accounts were sketchy about what happened. One suggested they were hiking up the bowl, another said they were near the end of the hike walking along the ridge when the avalanche happened. These were three young guys, all in their 20's, all with crampons and ice axes and experience using them.

Brent N

There's a video clip here, including an interview with one of the "victims" (must be a better term than that) as he left the hospital -

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/...-411904895.html

Mt. Baldy road was in good condition.
The outhouse area in Manker was frozen early in the morning.
White gate to San Antonio Fall was dry.
Rest of the Ski hut trail was covered 1-3 feet of snow to Ski hut. The trail was modified for winter trail. A few sections of trail needed some attention.
The trail from Ski hut to the summit wasn't established.
The Bowl was covered with solid snow, some section was hard. Upper section's bottom layer was icy. Most of the climbers went up the Bowl today.

There was a climber fell upper section of Bowl today when I was climbing just 20 yards below. I avoided him on time. He self-arrested head down position and stopped 10 yards below.
He was all right.

The snow was very deep every where. Nobody came up from DBT or Bear canyon directions when we were there.

Looking at this newscast which started as "they'll tell how they escaped from under a wall of snow" ?? also the picture of the three
is at the top of Timber Mountain.. Did the slide even happen on Baldy? Anyone have more info?

The entire surface, west side, main, east side, of the bowl was very smooth without any significant rough area yesterday.
There were a few small area had rough snow ridges at upper section of the main bowl.

I have seen a large area the snow was shifted like a sand, not like a wall of snow, many years ago.

The news station wanted to make the new more exciting and entertaining one for the public.
I wish news station or authority should provide more specific and accurate information to the public so we can learn from the news.

Mt. Baldy condition on last Saturday.
https://goo.gl/photos/PQcSpbXWe8cJUMG88
photo credit: Todd M./other hikers

Mt. Baldy road/Manker flat: dry
Manker flat outhouse to San Antonio fall: very icy with melted snow and water early in the morning.
There was a big dead tree blocking the trail around 7900 feet elevation. One section of trail, there were many fallen rocks on snowy trail below Ski hut.
Solid snow to the summit.
Snow in the bowl was hard and crusty early in the morning according to my friends.
Snow on the trail was slusy late morning.

https://goo.gl/photos/EU56xzg2ajdm4YXt6

FYI - be safe out there everyone!

Trail & Snow Conditions: Avalanche Danger in Icehouse Canyon (Mt. Baldy Area), February 19, 2017

Has anyone been up Baldy since Sunday's storm who can report on trail conditions? I plan on taking the Ski hut trail all the way, which means we won't be using the bowl. I'd appreciate any observations.

Brent N

Hi Brent,
I was up there today.
Mt. Baldy road- Dry
Manker to 7500 - mostly snow free but some section was icy.
Ski hut to the summit was solid consolidated snow with 3-10 inches of new snow from last week.
There were two signs of avalanche in west side of the Bowl.
There was a nice alternate route under the tree section.
From 8600-9000 is straight up the south facing slope with good snow.
The slope facing west, 9200-9400, was very icy so it is a good idea to have crampons or ice axe ready. If you slip, it will be a long slide down into the deep Goode canyon without stopping. I made steps with ice axe on the way down but. Going up is fine with micro but it is nice to have crampons for going down.
There was no hikers from DBT or Bear canyon.
Have a nice and safe weekend.

https://goo.gl/photos/EMzh2XTowkyUD88L9

Hi, Shin. Welcome back home. Thank you so much for the beta. It sounds like you even broke some trail for us. He doesn't have self arrest skills yet, so, I think we'll turn around after the Forrest section. I hope to see you soon.

I had a nice hike with James L. today.
The condition of trail is still same as last week.
The trail beyond Ski hut was still covered with consolidated snow to the summit but much more manageable than last week.
Micro spike and trekking pole will be helpful.
https://goo.gl/photos/uE7qArkCAPcwzGdbA

Hi Shin,
thanks for the input. not 5 min ago we were
wondering what it would be like on Sunday. Sounds
like it will be similar.
Happy Hiking.
Rick

Baldy Birthday climb (68yrs old) PDT 3/12/17.. left the parking lot 7:30. Trail to ski hut mostly dry below 7500' Met two teams of "army" Medics that had spent the night on top. reported cold and windy. Above the ski hut mostly solid snow. Trail was pretty much direct, no switch backs. Quite windy above the top of the bowls. Snapped a couple pics on the summit and headed back down as I was concerned the snow was softening up rapidly and getting very slippery. It was. I didn't bring an Ice Axe and was wasn't comfortable glissading with out on. Several did the West Bowl from the top (Paul and Jordon Romero were the first down) That sure make short work of the descent. Not many on the trail. Some sort of boot traction was required to be safe. With the warm temps predicted I think the conditions on descents will be sketchy. Be safe and Have fun. Rick

Hey All,
I think I was given wrong info re: the Romero's. A fellow I was
hiking with spoke with them on the summit and said that's who they
were, but the son looked on 14 or so.. That means he wouldn't have
aged in 6 years.. sorry for any confusion.

Tragic, Let's hope this isn't anyone we know!

http://www.pe.com/articles/incident-827304-baldy-saturday.html

Hike Safely!

-Dan

A little late with these photos. These are from March 10th. We were lucky to be there in the morning while the snow was still firm. With all the heat this week the snow could be less and different condition.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/100492563@N07/albums/72157677782405414

Great shots - Thanks for the update Leadfoot~

The level of snow is still very deep above Ski hut but snow is melting fast entire mountain except north face of Mt. Baldy.
Many signs of falling rocks and big boulders in the bowl last Saturday.
https://goo.gl/photos/Zkuvgg3Anq7iniNp7

I hope this won't happen.
http://www.sbsun.com/lifestyle/20170317/mt-baldy-deaths-lead-to-questions-about-trail-safety

There was a SAR operation was under way this morning. A hiker in shorts was missing since Friday night. He was on DBT. There were many SAR rangers, trucks and helicopter in the mountain.

Manker to Ski hut: Dry
Ski hut to the ridge above tree section: Solid snow
8800-9200 : Mostly dry
9200-summit : Solid consolidated snow.

https://goo.gl/photos/h8tzxCUexpkEaHgL7
I added one picture of north face of Mt. Baldy looking from Mt. Waterman on 3/29/2017. The north side has still covered with solid snow.

It was very nice to see Phil B. and his family on the mountain.
Rick G. has a better idea about current trail condition of DBT.

Micro spike and trekking poles will be very helpful.