At the end of March last year, I went on my first backpacking trip ever into the Upper Arroyo Canyon of the San Gabriel Mountains. It was a one-night affair with a five-mile hike, multiple stream crossings, and carrying my dad's hand-me down gear (read: aluminum pots, Coleman propane stove, and my Wenger dome tent to share).
When I look back at how much has happened in the past year, I am struck by how fast things have happened, and how much change has occurred in me. I've always felt at home in the mountains, and respected them with great deference. But to be allowed to enter into realms of such great challenge and determination and raw beauty is somthing I never could have dreamed. I have learned so much, and have so much to learn. But this adventure was a wonderful gift.
The stats:
1) Took us just over 6 hours to make Anvil Camp. Trail is dry, exposed (little shade), and no water between the final Symmes Creek crossing and the cascade about 1/2 mile below Mahogany Flats. It was warm, but we had a wonderful cool breeze. And the views were completely magnificent. Richard had said that if I wasn't completely complaining about the trail when he saw us that afternoon, he'd know I was insane. Well, I guess I'm a little touched in the head, 'cuz I LOVED it!! It was great to sit all afternoon in the shade of the pines and rest up for the summit on Sunday.
2) We left camp at 6 a.m. and headed for the pass. There is a 50-75 ft section of snow to traverse that wasn't too bad, but we donned crampons/axe for safety in the morning. Should've in the afternoon, too, but the footprints were pretty dug in. I just didn't trust my limited tread on my boots enough.
3) The Bowl was maginificent, and terrifying. It should be renamed "break your fool neck bowl" or something along those lines! It just looks like someone took an enormous ice cream scoop and dug it out. The headwall to climb back out at the end of the day was depressing to say the least!
4) The chute is almost completely snow-free, making it an endless scree slog. I got to use my crampons on a snow slope about 2/3 of the way up, mostly b/c I brought the darn things, so I wanted to use them! You can avoid this entirely by staying on the Class 2-3 rocks on the right-hand side of the chute. It was quite a rush to plunge-step back down in the afternoon!
5) The chimney is almost completely dry, save for the first move, which freaked me out a bit. There was a lot of whimpering here, which at least one of the guys told me he was doing "inside". Well, I'm vocal! But I got past it, and the rest really wasn't too bad!
6) The views from the summit were amazing. We had such perfect weather, and the clouds added a ton of depth to the surroundings. Of course, I brought along a little smackerel of something for a summit party!
7) We made it out on Monday in 4 hours flat from Anvil Camp, including all of our breaks! We were flying down the trail! It was a blast, and I can't wait to come back and do Tyndall!
Me and the Boys: Mike, Paul, Paul2, Joseph, and Laura on Williamson.
Thanks, guys for an amazing adventure! We've got to pick a good one to follow this up!
Pics are at:
www.flickr.com/photos/moosepics621 under the Mt. Williamson album.
Much love to all, keep climbing, and happy adventures!
-Laura
PS: I forgot to mention my gratitude to "the boys" from this weekend. Paul, thanks for putting this whole thing together, and for helping me with the chimney. Maybe it is time I look into joining Rockreation! Joseph, thanks for the kind words and good times! Mike: "OMG she's singing again!" You truly are an amazing hiker and climber. What I wouldn't give for your uphill speed. It's always a pleasure! But next time, don't lie to me about the snow! Thanks guys, again, for an awesome weekend!
Last edited by MooseTracks (form. HikerLaura); 05/30/07 03:09 PM.
I will consider Williamson & Tyndall for my 08 or 09 season. 
