Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Message Board Group Hike - Saturday, September 15

I have been thinking what a great idea it would be if we, the members of the message board, could schedule an annual group hike, everyone would be welcomed. How great would it be to put faces on names we constantly see on the board?

I envision the hike would take place on Saturday, September 15th, late enough after the crowds have gone, but before winter sets in and finally, far enough out so that people can plan. The location of the hike would rotate every year with the first hike being Mt Langley or ?.

We could all meet at the trailhead at 6am for a group day hike up Mt Langley with pizza and beer at the Pizza factory after the hike.

This is just an idea, and may not have merit, or no one may be interested, but it seems like something that can turn into something very exciting for all.

Please chime in. Interested?

Paul

Roger that! I am all interested and all for it! Anything to get me up to the holy city of Lone Pine and the surrounding areas!

We have had a few group hikes organized on Richard Piotrowski's Message Board: http://www.mt-whitney.info They were on Mt. Baldy in Southern California and have attracted an interesting cross-section of the denizens of that Board. There's no reason it can't work on this Board too.

I won't commit to it this far ahead but it's an interesting idea and I would enjoy meeting you all. I'll make it a definite "maybe."

If it works for me I'll be there...mark

I'm interested. I currently have plans to hike Whitney the weekend of 9/22 with a group. If it's another weekend or my plans change for 9/22 count me in.
Adam

I'm in for any desert hikes this fall/winter in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Villager Peak would be a great one.

Great idea Paul! I have hiked/climbed with several members of this board and thoroughly enjoyed the outings! Count me in....I'll keep my trip schedule open for September (good time of year for Langley or...?).

Doug F.

When I first posted the idea, I must admit I was a little worried that there would be no interest, so thanks to all for responding. It would be great to have some of the old timers join up, like Bob R, Doug Sr, Richard and all.

As for which peak to climb is open; I just suggested Langley because permits are not required, and fairly accessible. I would also suggest taking Old Army Pass since this has been a poor snow year.

Again, thanks. Mull over the info and let's keep this idea going. Whether we have 5, or 20 from this board going, I think it would be successful.

Paul

I saw the announcement, but don't know my availability this far out. If I don't have another commitment, I plan to join the party. These things are fun. One of the reasons I like the Whitney trail is all the people I meet and get a chance to chat with--and I almost always meet 2 - 3 from the message board, which is a special treat.

It depends on what day you pick. September 15 is open for me right now, but not the 22nd. (I have a 3- day permit for the NF of Lone Pine Creek starting 21 September)

Like everyone else, if it works into my schedule, I'm in!

Of course, I can just MAKE it work into my schedule...

-Laura

Paul, why don't you nail the date down now rather than later. I'll propose Sept. 15. If you agree, why not edit your first post and put it in the Subject title?

Hmmm...*if* I can swing it..I might be game for hopping on a plane and coming out. Might need a ride to and from L.A. though..(I can buy the gas!).. I have one other commitment in September that might conflict..but I'm not sure yet. Sure would enjoy coming out again..always looking for an excuse..

Chris

Beach: You can ride with me. As long as Richard does the cooking... Wait, that might not work...

Well, you can ride with me, anyway!

-L

Steve...... I was hoping that someone would chime in and pick a date, so thanks. And, it seems that most postings so far indicate that September 15th works best. Is Langley a good choice? Should we finalize the peak/climb?

I have edited the original posting to reflect the September 15th date. Mark your calendars.

Paul

Paul
Great idea as I plan to to hike Langley in 2 weeks...would love to do it again with a group in Sept.
Ed

Langley might be ok.  But what about the Mountaineer's Route?  It offers three lakes evenly spaced along the way where some could decide to stop if they didn't want to go the whole distance.  Although permits are required, there is no quota.  It might be a good opportunity for people unfamiliar with the route to go with experienced people and see the route.

Langley on the other hand only has a single mid-way destination, Cottonwood lakes.  And the Langley trail is really long... See Kashcraft's recent post ( Mt Langley, 11 years later ):

Steve, I think that would be a good choice also.

My only concern would be the ability of obtaining permits the day before if people drive up late on Friday, but I am sure things could be worked out.

Maybe now is a good time to finalize the destination?

What does everyone think?

Paul

There doesn't have to be just one trip. I thought the idea of the proposed hike was that it would be suitable for a lot of the people who sign on to the Board. We all should be able to do the MMWT; we're not all up for the MR, so that might be another group. I would be interested in doing Langley. I can handle the distance and altitude. I would not sign up for the MR on Whitney or anything that involves Class III work. That is just beyond what I am capable of at this point in my life. Also, if we are going to be a fairly large group I think getting on and off the trail in one day will have less impact than doing an overnight trip. And finally, I also second the idea of just setting a date rather than leaving that open.

Speaking only for myself, obviously, I would love to do MR. There are no quotas to worry about. I'm sure we can work out the permits for the late arrivers (like myself), and I know speaking for myself, I would love to do MR with people who have done it before to pick up bits of wisdom.

The other option, besides Langley and MR, would be to do either something fairly obscure, given everyone's obvious enthusiasm for the Sierras who is on the board, or to do some kind of "service project" while we are out there. I'm too inexperienced to even know what needs to be done in the high country, but if there's a large group of us going up for a day or two, we may be able to do something to give back, even if its a simple as a trash collecting detail? I don't really know. Just my 2 cents, but I'm tentatively on board for wherever or whatever people want to do.