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Joined: Aug 2003
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Doug Forbes and I had plans for a summit attempt of Whitney on Sunday from Trail Camp, but windy conditions on Saturday forced us to stay at Outpost Camp instead. Snow starting falling early Saturday evening and picked up again during the night. When we woke up Sunday morning there was about 8" of snow and it was still falling. We decided to cancel our summit attempt and hike out before we wouldn't be able to drive out of the portal. The portal had about 6" of snow when we drove out. Pictures
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Glad to see u guys made it home ok. We camped at outpost friday night and headed up to trail camp for a look around on sat. Arrived there around 12:30 and ate lunch. It started snowing so we headed down. Saw your tents at outpost camp where we collected our gear. Ours were the Big Agnes tents, one which was blown over at that point. The weather cleared up for us as we made our way down the trail. Who ever prediced the 90 mph winds prob wasn't to far off. We were getting blown all over the place near mirror lake on our way down!!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Amazing! What a difference a day makes. I'm glad to see you guys made it out OK, looks like it was coming down pretty hard for a while!
-L
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Joined: Jun 2003
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what a difference a day makes indeed - it was fun hiking down the North Fork in mild snow conditions on Saturday afternoon. the wind must have sounded like a freight train trying to sleep that night.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Goat- we were wondering if you went to the summit or not. We were going to say "hi" but when we looked out of our tent later, you guys were already gone. Sounds like we made a good decision on staying at Outpost camp. Laura- We missed you while we were tent bound. We could of had a party  Tomcat- We had lunch with Richard on Sunday and he mentioned you were in the neighborhood. I mentioned to Doug F. as we passed the North Fork Sunday morning that I'm glad we didn't have to come down the ledges.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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no we didn't summit, we were just scouting around. After looking at your pics we were really glad we didn't go for the top or stick around to watch the snow. We made it down just fine, but would of had alot of trouble if we would of been a couple hours later or overnight like u guys.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,428 Likes: 7
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I was beginning to wonder whether Whitney had it out for Doug when I saw how nasty the weather had turned.
This is how things went for me:
- About 03:00, I wake up and think I have gone blind. I find my headlamp and when the light goes on, I see that the car is encased in snow.
- About 04:30, I decide "the heck with you guys. You're on your own."
- About 06:00, I get out and take a few photos before high-tailing it to lower ground. I hope it doesn't snow this hard all day, or you'll be stuck.
- Several times between 08:00 and 11:00, people stop and ask me if I'm all right. I let them know I'm waiting on you to get down. During this time I keep thinking that I hope you weren't still up at Trail Camp.
It was a relief to see the Prius pull up next to me.
It was good seeing you guys up there. Maybe next time, it'll be something besides the brief encounter on the trail and lunch. (Thanks again, Doug.)
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Joined: Jun 2003
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and to think I almost headed back up for a Sunday hike too. eating dinner in Lone Pine Saturday I realized that this weather wasn't gonna let up - if I had gone back up my sleeping bag would have been encased in snow. good thing the tax man came a calling me home. glad noone turned into popsicles.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Yes Richard, Whitney is my Long Time Lover: sometimes it's butterflies and daisies; other times it's....SPICY! The relationship grows closer through storm-bound nights, summit days, and even the bad/scary days. My pleasure - great mountain conversation!
Great photos Mike! You really captured the little sneak-back of winter. Yes, Outpost good - Trail Camp bad (wind roaring over the Mirror Lake Bluff & visions of being blown flat with full pack).
Laura: We missed your strength and humor....Don't worry though, I upheld the tradition of 1/2 body-weight packs - just kidding. Mike's and my storm gear and good snacks were very welcome when the storm decided to stick around (prepare for the worst).
Goatboy & Tomcat: Glad you guys made it down OK - it must have been pretty rowdy upstairs at 12,000'+!
Bruno: We missed you - bet you were out climbing a rock. Summit or not, a day in the mountains or rock climbing is better than just about anything.
Maybe the last April weekend: snowshoes, crampons & axe....oh my!
Doug F.
Doug Forbes
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Wow, y'all missed little ol' me?? Cheez, I'm sorry I missed the cuddle-fest at Outpost!
Doug: really... SPICY? I almost died laughing!
Last weekend of April I'm in J-Tree on my Sierra Club experience trip to Quail Mtn. I'm gonna see if I can carry 2/3 of my body weight in water alone... no, really.
Ok, no, I am going to see if I can get the pack under 40# (water and food and booze INCLUDED!).
My May is fairly open, however...
-L
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