Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Tyndall in March/April

I am planning a trip up the class 2 route of Mt. Tyndall the last weekend in March, or one of the weekends in early April. Any ideas how the snow pack is currently in that area? Also any hints on route selection...there are several ways to go once we get in the vicinity of Shepards pass. I've never done Tyndall, and only done Williamson from the other side, so I don't know this trail at all. Thanks. I couldn't find any TRs for a Tyndall winter ascent, if you know of any please point them out... cheers...

Just follow the Shepherd Pass trail until you get to the pass. Other than the part where the trail goes over "Stupid Saddle" between Symmes and Shepherd creeks, it's very easy to follow even under snow (was there in late December). There probably won't be tracks, but you never know. The ridge will probably be clear of snow, but I wouldn't count on it. I thought the ridge felt more like class 3 than 2, but in hindsight I think it's just the exposure.



Have fun!

thanks, that is great information. Is the picture from your late December trip? If so, I am surprised there is not more snow on the ridge. It sounds like you did the NW ridge class 2 route (the one I am planning) and not the other class 2 route on the SW slopes. Even if class 3, I am guessing it is still less daunting than the class 3 ridge on Russell, no (?). Any comparison to Green Butte or Sargents Ridge routes on Shasta (anyone) ? Thanks again, you have been very helpful.

Much less daunting than Russell, mostly the rib is a jumbly mess:


Mostly Class 2 until you reach just below the ridge, some nice slabby Class 3 to gain the notch:


Then a scramble across to the summit:


Mind you, these were all taken in June , 2008. The north face at the moment is pretty completely snow-covered, including the rib. If I head south this weekend I'll try and get a shot for you.

Yeah, the photo is from summer. It will probably be easier than Russell's east ridge in winter. I was forced onto the ridge crest on Russell because terrain looked hard under a fresh coat of snow on the N side, and around the notch between the E and W summits I lost my nerve sans belay (all 4 partners opted to do Carillon) so I turned around. I think I would be comfortable on the 2nd class ridge on Tyndall in winter, though. Hopefully that helps? Laura's pictures are of the N rib.



We used the talus (snow) field on the right (west) side of the prominent, left-to-right downward trending ridge (where the long ribbon of snow is) to access the ridge. There is a distinct notch at the top of the talus where the NW ridge joins another. From there one takes the fairly narrow ridge to the summit, although you can hop off on the west side to take gentle talus (snow) to the top after an initial narrow section. There are lots of options for glissading down after the NW ridge; Andy skied it, so surely one can slide down on one's butt!

Tyndall in the winter should be fun. I was up that way a few years back in December. I would imagine that the class 3 North Rib would be slightly more snow covered compared to the pictures below.

Check out the trip report and more pictures from December of '05. http://outdoorsclub.org/event.php?event_id=9976

Here's a photo TR of our ascent of Williamson and Tyndall via Shepherd's Pass last June. You can bet that there will be plenty of snow on Tyndall this March/April. We took the north rib route.

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/..._NAME=snapfish/

I did the north rib on 12-31-2004 while my altitude-affected partner hung out at camp. There was plenty of snow, but the rib wasn't too bad. The NW ridge is easier but not as direct. Be sure to bring good weather when you go. You'll need it.

thanks for the input. I know it's been a few years but do you remember where you camped to make for a reasonable summit push? I am curious for this route whether we need to actually drop down into Williamson bowl, or if we can get onto the NW ridge directly from Shepards Pass.

Mark,

Check out a topo map of the area. I like the Tom Harrison ones for hiking. You can answer this question and a lot more by referring to a good map. Google Earth also works well for planning.

But yes, you can just gun at the ridge from Shepherd Pass.