Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board WPSMB group hike 2009

Hi Dave -

One thing to remember is that the B group will probably catch the A group by Girl Scout Lake. So chances are we will all be pretty much together through the smile and final scramble to the summit. I will be in Lone Pine early Saturday and we can discuess.


Will now be starting separate threads for the actual trip reports. It will make it easier to see the updates from the mountain.

ps - I think we have permits covered. I will be getting phone calls today. I have arranged 30 permits for pickup today and the Stemwinder people are securing their group. That should put us near 40. If I need to - I can call you this afternoon.

update(I know what your thinking - when will it end)

Weather link from NOAA

Saturday high temp at 12,200 predicted to be about 53 with possible light breeze up to 10mph.

So while it will will be nice for hiking, it could be cold at times:

It will probably start out cold in the morning.

As we make our way up the North Fork we will probably be shedding layers on this steepest part of the elevation gain.

Around Lower Boy Scout Lake it will probably seem cool again.

At Clyde Meadow to Girl Scout Lake it temps will seem warmer and feel like a nice day. Layers will probably be light long sleeve at this time.

From Girl Scout Lake - as we traverse through the smile, it will probably be shadowed north side and again feel cold - warmer layer back on.

From the smile to the summit will then be sunshine and exposed scrambling. Expect to again be shedding a layer.

Remember we will likely spend an hour on the summit. Sitting around that long without generating heat can again be cold.

Don't forget a good pair of gloves and gaiter to keep the feet dry.
I would suggest a good system of layering so you can quickly adjust to the difference in temperatures throughout the hike.
We all want to be comfortable, safe and happy.

The final countdown is on - 24 hours until my boots hit the trail. I think it will be a relief to be hiking. See you all soon.

Remember you can always PM, e-mail or call if you have any specific question. I will be at work this morning, but have half a day off(that never works out on a flex Friday - we will see) to make final preparations. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Thanks - Tom

I will not be going, had the flu all week and was hopeing to be over it. Sounds like its gonna be a blast there.

This is killing me but I have come up with the virus that has been going around and will not be able to attend. I have looked very forward to the hike and meeting all of you. My friend John H is still coming up with our contribution to the feast tomorrow night. Have a great day and I hope I will be able to join you on a future group hike!

It was nice to meet Richard P and Gigamike at the Hostel last weekend! I'm really sorry I can't make it up there for the group hike. It sounds like a blast---with my tribe of people! I look forward to a future hike with you all. Margaret

Joe and Johnny -
Sorry for the cancellations - I know it is tough.
We will be sure and take pictures with posting for the people to enjoy who cannot make it

BTW -
Karen H has picked up 10 permits
Dobe Mom has picked up 10 permits
M Mouse has picked up 10 permits
Stemwinder people have their arrangements.

latest update

Destination: Thor Peak
Date: Saturday October 17,2009


Time to get your reservations in now
Separate thread now up for potluck / festivities

Who's going:

Tomcat_rc - Tom
- Lisa
RichardP - Richard
GigaMike - Mike
HypoxicZombie - Arthur
Brent - Brent
JamesL - James
DobeMom - Kristine
Jeff Schofield - Jeff
Rosabella - Rosie
ElMicheal - Michael
Moondust - Alice
Karen R. - Karen
M. Mouse - Ava
markjwpcp - Mark
SanDi Carole - Carole
Graham - Rick
NormaR - Norma
Ridgeline - Dave
Trailbud - Doug
John H. - John
Jeff_M - Jeff
Wtny n1 - Betsy
Trucker - James
White Tundra - Scott
Dave G. - Dave
BobH - Bob Huey
It511 - Larry
Moosetracks - Laura
Melville1955 - Mark
Wagga
Weed Patch - Flip
Shin Nimura - Shin
Ken(Rosie's brother)
KRVHiker - Nathan
Karen H - Karen


Temperatures dropped significantly this week.
No longer just shorts and t-shirts weather.

10-3-09 hiked to Thor with Lisa and Snow Nymph
Ice early morning on the slabs at Clyde Meadow and long sleeves thoughout the day

So here is the way it is shaping up

Group A -leader Tom Brown aka Tomcat_rc will also have several friends that will help and are familiar for this group.
I will lead a group up starting up the North Fork. We will be taking the Smiley Face Route and plan to start around 7am hiking from the Portal. I did this hike Saturday at a simluted group pace and we summited in 6:05 minutes. This included several stops for break and a nice easy pace. Anyone who wants to make this hike but is not sure if they are in condition or other worries should be encouraged to join this group. If you decide to turn around during part of the hike(LBSL or Clyde), we will make sure you are provided for a safe passage down.

Group B - Sierra Gator had to cancel - maybe Ridgeline Dave can lead the second group starting out.
This will be a faster paced group. We talked about leaving 1/2 hour to 1 hour later than the group A. The start time will be finalized by leader

Group C - Jeff M leader

Leading a group starting up the Main Trail and ascending via the SE culoir. Jeff will announce his start time. This is a loose chute and group size should be limited. Jeff can add to this section.

Group D - Stemwinder.

This is a techinal route. Graham, Dave and Bob H. are capable of leading. They will handle all of their group contacts for start times and other logistics. By now I belive they have already picked their groups - but any questions should be directed to them directly.

Last posting I belive Norma, GigaMike and Richard P were the rest of that team.

Group E - leader Laura aka Moosetracks

leading a class III route from Girl Scout Lake(aka Barney Lake)
This route is the same aproach for Smiley except from GS Lake will use the class III boulder for a more direct approach to the summit. People taking this route should have comfort in class III boulders. If you have to ask what this means - this is not the route for you. Any questions contact group leader. Laura will set start time.

Group F - Doug Snr. - route TBD
Ok - even though he is much more interesting and has a lifetime of stories to tell, not everyone gets to hike with Doug. Remember no punching, kicking or scratching. We are all adults.

Remember the idea is to get everyone to the summit as close to 1pm as possible. My guess is that everyone should be able to descend within 3 hours.

Several of us will have radios and monitor on station 6 sub 3
Last weekend I was able to communicate with friends at Clyde Meadow while I was near Lone Pine Lake.

Feel free to add to message or pm as needed.

Additional information:
I would like to meet at the Hostel at 6am.
That will give us time to meet and divide into groups.
It will take about 30 minutes to commute up to the Portal and get ready to start the hike

If convenient, I was just wondering if anyone is planning to video whatever the group does on the summit, particularly with regard to memorializing Kent, as well as an overall group shot?

CaT

Hi Dave -

I don't have a video camera. I was thinking of using my camera in movie mode for our group pose also. Obviously that won't work for an hour on the summit.

Hi Tom,

Even the quick vid of the group on top would be great, but only if it's convenient. Thanks.

David

I will not be able to join you all on Thor tomorrow . We seem to have a busy day at work for a change .
I was looking forward to meeting many of you for the first time as well .
I would like to wish you all a safe and good day on the mountain .
I look forward to seeing your trip reports and photos .

cheers from a sunny Joshua Tree !

Simon

Not one report yet??? I wanted so much to be there today... Hope all went well!

Awesome hike as usual Tomcat!

It was really great meeting everybody, and what a perfect day for a hike. The turnout was good, and it was fantastic to see so many elite hikers in one place like that!

Though I didn't get to top of Thor this time I did learn the route for next year. I also got some keeper photos, and I learned the mountaineers route.

I took some photos and I have them uploaded.

KVHiker Photos Thor

Until the next time then.

Where's those reports?

Thanks Nathan - noone could have imagined that so many people would summit Thor via a class III snow climb - some their first time in snow.

We have all agreed to let Miss Moosie write this trip report - as it deserves her writing style.

But a quick view:

The trip was a success and we put 33 people on the summit of Thor(with zero injuries). The memorial service on the summit is something I shall never forget in all my life. Doug,Doug and Nick did a fabulous job with setting up and running the potluck party afterward. My thanks to everyone for making this trip a succes.

and a taste for your viewing pleasure:

I felt it was like a lifetime's worth of hiking compacted into a single day. The fellowship was unforgettable and the adventure of hiking up and over and through all that snow on Thor was incredible. Thank you Tomcat, Norma, Dave, and Bob Huey for your invaluable advice and assistance. Thank you Alice and Mark for lending me your poles. The memorial at the top was very meaningful as well.

Hi everybody,
I just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for the great turnout, great day on the mountain, and great dinner/party.
The only way this worked out is by having everybody pitch in,
and that's what happened.

It was really good to see the old faces and also the new ones.
We're like a big family, that's hard to come by these days.
Thanks for a memorable week end.
Take care.
Doug
aka: Trail Bud

Another shot with more to come. I have never been on a summit where I felt more emotion and bond with all those that were there. Dave

Another,
URL=http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2756036520052939326hQfqEk][/URL]

Felt the emotion and bond all the way up here in the PNW...