Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Whitney Area Dayhike 6/18

I posted a few photos of the switchbacks in another <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003179">thread</a>. I also have more photos that may be of interest to those doing other routes (Mountaineers Route, Mt Russell, etc.).

REPORT

<a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52815"><img src="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/sendbinarydb.aspx?ID=52815&width=300" align=right vspace=6 hspace=25></a>On Satuday (6/18/05) I dayhiked Carillon, Russell, Whitney, Keeler Needle, and Muir from the Portal. In the process I took a good deal of photographs. My route was nearly identical to a hike I did last September, though this time I got one more peak despite all the snow.

My ascent up Mount Russell was via the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52840">East Ridge</a>. I descended the South Headwall of Russell and then ascended Whitney via the mostly snow covered <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52958">North Face</a>. Then on the way down the main trail I did Keeler Needle and Mt Muir.

For those going up the North Fork, there's no snow until after <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52775">Lower Boy Scout Lake</a>. Beyond that you traverse part of a snowfield (below Thor Peak) until you reach the slabs. The slabs were also clear of snow so you can get to Upper Boy Scout Lake without having to deal with very much snow. Above <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52791">UBSL</a> you'll be mostly on snow. Snow coverage in the couloir up to the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52813">Whitney Notch</a> still looks good.

The <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52786">sandy slope</a> above UBSL that leads to the Russell/Carillon saddle had a strip of snow most of the way up so that you don't have so much sand to deal with (this strip of snow is what enticed me in the first place). I put on the crampons and ascended the strip of snow to the upper <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52810">saddle/plateau</a> between Russell and Carillon. It was still strenuous. Unlike the weekend before when the condition of the snow was excellent, low temps a night or two before had frozen the snow into hard icy stuff. There were also a lot of sun-cups which made the snow uneven.

The <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52839">East Ridge</a> of Mount Russell is pretty much devoid of any significant snow except for a <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52850">patch</a> just below the East summit (visible from the Russell/Carillon saddle). This patch is steep (and looks scary from the saddle), but a nice path through the snow was left by previous parties. I had my ice axe out and made sure I planted it well, but I did not bother to put my crampons on. This is not a place you want to slip however.

Between the east and <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52901">west</a> summits I did not enounter any significant snow. There was no significant snow when I descended the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52939">South Headwall</a> and down the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52974">south slope</a>.

<a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52957"><img src="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/sendbinarydb.aspx?ID=52957&width=300" align=right vspace=6 hspace=25></a>As expected, the North Face of Whitney had large snowfields and after a few minutes of ascending I was able to stay on snow most of the way to the top. Again the snow was hard and here it had more fins and ridges than suncups. It was definitely not optimal but was far better to ascend than to descend and I was glad I wasn't going back this way.

From Whitney down to Trail Crest there are some <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53053">patches</a> of snow but nothing that requires the use of crampons or ice axe. <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53061">Mount Muir</a> was completely free of snow as was the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53034">Keeler Needle</a>.

The <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53073">snow slope</a> to the side of the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewer.asp?FolderID=401">switchbacks</a> is another matter. I had hoped that it would soften up in the late afternoon so that I could have a nice quick glissade down to Trail Camp. This was not the case. It was about 5:15pm when I reached <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53103">Trail Crest</a>. The snow on the slope was just as hard and unpleasant as that which I had encountered earlier in the day. Unfortunately I now had to descend this stuff. I started to do a glissade but quickly found this to be painful (due to the hard icy snow) and a bit dangerous. My shell pants were ripped up in no time. I tried moving around to a sunnier part of the slope but could not find any soft snow. For awhile I alternated between trying to glissade and simply walking down the slope. Neither method was pleasant. A few times I tried using <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53114">glissade chutes</a> left by others. These chutes were smooth and slick. The snow was too hard to push the ice axe handle into. I had to resort to some creative use of the ice axe to control the descent. Eventually I was passed by two individuals who were walking down the slope with crampons on. This appeared to be the optimal way down and I was annoyed that I hadn't done this from the beginning. I stopped, put on my crampons, and then cramponed down to Trail Camp. What I was hoping would take 5 minutes took an hour.

I should also point out that it didn't appear that anyone has used the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53068">switchbacks</a> yet. While the upper switchbacks are mostly clear, the area where the <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53121">cables</a> are is still packed with snow. Thus, at the moment, the snow slope is still the only option. Bring an ice axe and crampons and be especially careful!

If you're camping at <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53129">Trail Camp</a> you shouldn't have a problem finding a dry spot and you can obtain water from the small lake.

Despite the complication below Trail Crest I made good time back to the Portal. I used a <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53143">bypass trail</a> that kept me on snow most of the way down to Lone Pine Lake. This trail allowed me to bypass <a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=53150">Outpost Camp</a> on the way down. Fortunately this snow was just a bit softer and I was able to take large strides. It was a very direct route unlike the meandering main trail. A lot of this snow can probably be bypassed if you stick to the main trail though I think above Mirror Lake you will be mostly on snow to Trail Camp.

Anyway, that's the report. The photos are here:

<a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewer.asp?FolderID=402">Whitney Region Dayhike 6/18/05</a>

-Rick

hey Rick,
congradulations on another big accomplishment. between this and your hike to telescope a couple weeks ago, you are knocking out some big hikes - another league beyond us ro****s. who knows what is left on your list of goals.
glad to know that was not you behind us at iceberg lake - i was thinking you must have gotten a late start to be just hitting the chute when i looked down and saw a group of six just getting to iceberg. a group of hikers had turned back from east face lake after camping the night at upper boy scout lake and said noone had been up before us that morning. I should have known you had turned to knock out russell and carillon along the way.
congrats again on a great hike - see you more during the summer. sounds like we are going to be a week behind you doing tyndall/williamson - we are scheduled for july 9-11.

Thanks Tom. I probably couldn't keep up with Rockwell in his younger years, but I figure I might as well do what I can while I can.

Hey did you ever find your ice axe? I tried looking for it when I headed down from Thor the weekend before last and again a little bit on my way down from Whitney. Didn't find any more than a few bits of trash.

Beyond Shepherds Pass I'm hoping to do Tyndall (again), Versteeg, Trojan, Barnard, Junction, and Keith. Not sure if I'll have time to squeeze them all in however.

This weekend I'm doing Mount Sill (and having a closer look at my remaining 14ers).

-Rick

the ice axe i have finally written off - bought a new about 2 weeks ago. broke it in on my whtiney trip and this time I used a leash to keep it. Next week foinf san jacinto with a friend. the following week - got our eyes on such peeks as university, dragon and gould - keep on hiking all

Rick,
Excellent Report! Those pictures of Russel are enticing to say the least! Congrats!
Gusto

When I was up on Thor peak a few weeks ago it was hard to find firm snow...probably the same when you were there.

The night before you went to Carillon Russell Whitney and Muir it was 39 degrees in Bishop. That would translate to about 10 degrees at 14000 feet. That would have frozen the snow solid.

This coming weekend nighttime lows in Lone Pine are projected at about 60 degrees. Certainly that suggests snow will be a little softer. I hope so so we can do some glissading without ripping our pants etc.

Rick, since you seem to be pushing the envelope a lot, here's another challenge for you: Mt. Goddard and back in a long day.

Took me seven tries. The various things that have to mesh together are: time to start, place to start, route to travel. Obviously, you want a full moon. Hint: The variation that worked for me involved 34.6 miles, 9800' elevation gain, three passes to go over (each way).

Lots of cross-country travel including some class 3 sections. Even if you plan your start time judiciously, you likely will have to deal with some of them in darkness at some point on the trip.

Since part of the fun is trying and failing but learning in the process, I won't say any more.

I did Mt Goddard as a sidetrip many years ago (1974).

But then we foolishly headed down Goddard Creek. It was a h-e-l-l-ous trip down that manzanita choked, cliffy, rattlesnake infested place. But it was an adventure (g)

Starr's Guide noted it as a knapsack route, if I recall.

Afterward I saw a smaller booklet (there were a series of these small format booklets for various areas of the Sierra). It mentioned (sheesh, I think I still recall) Ragged Spur and to NOT go down Goddard Creek. It explained what I already had learned personally - awful.

I think it took almost two days to do what I think was about 2 miles of travel. I admit we were not very experienced offtrail hikers back then. There was only that one rattlesnake - crawled into camp in the morning and one of us watched it as the other one packed and vice versa.

(was it in this board - I, too, had an encounter with another rattlesnake not far from the Kern Hot Springs)

Yikes! I don't think I can hope to match your achievements Bob. That sounds like one killer dayhike. But now you've left me with another intriguing challenge that will gnaw away at me. The fact that it took someone of your skill 7 tries means I would have only the faintest chance for success. Hmmmm.... I like those odds.

-Rick

Speaking about challenges, the Western States 100 endurance run is this weekend. If you want to follow it, the website is www.ws100.com

Nice Job Rick! and I always like your detailed pictures. I was wondering about your route from Russell to Whitney. I have done this twice as a dayhike and both times gone over Whitney Russell Pass and down to Iceberg and then up the MR. It seems like a lot of trouble to go over the pass drop down and then ascend the MR when you could just go straight up the north face. Was the snow hard enough to require crampons. Thanks, Steve.

Steve,

The decision whether to drop down to Iceberg and go up the MR or to just ascend the North Face was one I considered this time and the last. This time the decision was easier for two reasons. First it looked pretty clear that the snow smoothed out the route up the North Face (covering up a lot of loose stuff). Second, I opted not to bring my helmet and so figured I would be safer on the North Face where rockfall wasn't really a big concern.

The snow did indeed smooth out the route and I was able to remain on snow most of the way to the top. The snow was hard and so crampons and ice axe were definitely necessary. The slope isn't terribly steep either (certainly nothing like what is encountered in the chute above the Notch). Thus, though definitely strenuous, there was nothing tricky about this route right now (provided you pick the optimal path). Once the snow melts off it's a little trickier but then so is the route up to the Notch.

So I don't think it makes too much difference either way you go, but I think I prefer just going up the North Face because it's a bit more direct.

-Rick

OK Bob, why did you have to throw that out there. All of us type A, wound up, marathon hikers have already taken our maps out and started trying to figure out which approach and route would be the best. It will be interesting to see if someone trys to duplicate that. By the way, does a "day hike" have to be done in 24 hours or is it still considered a day hike if you end up going for more than 24 hours without camping?

Some friends are going to try the Mt. Goddard day hike next weekend. For background, see <a href=http://www.ridgenet.net/~rockwell/GoddardChronology.doc>Goddard history</a>.

I'll be interested to hear how they fare. I did this dayhike last year (via Lamarck Col, as the moon was covered by clouds, and I hadn't been over the more direct but unfamiliar passes at the time). It was a pretty tough day.

Yeah I'll be interested to hear about it as well ever since Bob R peaked my interest in this very demanding dayhike.

-Rick

I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression. Blame it on my rural Maine upbringing. "This weekend" means the one immediately coming up. "Next weekend" means the one after that.

I don't usually lapse into "down east" speak. Must have not had my morning coffee. I should have said simply August 20 and then there would have been no confusion.

-----

Later: They didn't go. I don't know why.

Four of us, Matthew Holliman, Jeff Dhungana, Rick Kent, and myself went out to visit Goddard this past Sunday, in part at the suggestion of Bob R. Our original plan was to go in over Haeckel Col, but we changed that at the last minute to Lamarck Col which worked out beautifully. Jeff and I got back in just under 18hrs, Rick and hour later, and Matthew (who went to nearby Mt. McGee because he'd already dayhiked Goddard) another hour after Rick. The available evidence suggests the McGee dayhike is harder than the Goddard one. :-)

There is a short trip report over on <a href=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sierrascrambles/message/3824>Sierra Scrambles</a> if anyone is interested. Thanks to Bob R. for the inspiration!

Bob R,

I too wish to thank you for the inspiration to take on this challenge. Bob B, you deserve my thanks as well for without your invitation I probably wouldn't have gotten around to this one this year.

I too wrote up a short report, though not as interesting, that is located here:

<a href="http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?p=3467#3467">Mount Goddard - 9/11/05</a>

Photos are here:

<a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewer.asp?FolderID=428">Mount Goddard Photos 9/11/05</a>

-Rick