Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Whitney Message Board Group Hike – Saturday, 9/27

Count me in! After missing out on Thor last year, this should be fun. All of the hike ideas sound good.

James

In my original post, I listed several hikes that I thought might offer the group some interesting challenges, test their skills and also provide for some exciting post hike comments.

Bob R has kindly provided links to pictures of 2 trips that he has taken over the past couple years to better show the terrain involved with each hike.

Dragon Peak Climb – BobR and Snow Nymph (09-16-2006). The final summit block is quite interesting, and challenging.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/554201517LpsGDy

Candlelight Peak Climb – Regarding Candlelight, there are two nice routes. The East Ridge is one we took the summer class up last summer. The pictures show the exposed part of the hike and it is exposed (Bob’s words).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellb/sets/72157600839642500/

Mount Langley – No links (I think everyone is pretty familiar with Langley), but the hike would be pretty straight forward, up Old Army Pass and descend the Fin route.

So far, few posters have indicated a preference so maybe the above links to some hike photos might help with the decision making process.

For me, I am seriously torn between all three.

Dragon Peak excites me because of the summit block traverse, but I have also some concerns that with 15 or more people going, it might be a little overwhelming getting all 15 through the final traverse on that exposed crack (looks like 2 inches to me and I am not sure of the drop). I also like the idea of including Mt Gould and descending via Kearsarge Pass (a possibility). The addition of Gould would add to a long day. There is the drive over to Onion Valley to be considered.

Candlelight Peak appeals to me the most. I have seen the pictures and it offers a great deal of exposure and excitement. The hike starts at the Portal therefore requiring little driving to get to the trailhead, and we would finish pretty much where we camped.

Langley for me is probably third on my list. There is a drive over to Horseshoe Meadows; it would be a long day (10 – 12 hours?) with only the Fin route descent something that I haven’t tried before.

Thanks to all who have signed up and have emailed Phil to reserve a slot at one of the reserved sites…… and a special thanks to Phil for doing this.

My thinking is that we all meet at the Portal store for burgers, beer and good conversation the night before. I wish I would have thought about suggesting this last year, but I know a number of you did in fact meet and told me of the good time that you had.

I am also thinking of dinner at the Pizza Factory after the climb (?).

Paul

I was on Candlelight yesterday (via Meysan Lakes trail) and loved it. Such great views of the Whitney Basin. BobR's pix of his route looked, er, fun and interesting... but it might raise the same issue as Dragon.... might be too difficult and time consuming to get a lot of people through.

Mt. Langley is kind of a long hike. Cirque peak has a nice summit and might be an option.

I don't know much about Dragon peak, but that knife ridge step would be kind of exciting.

Based on my experience, Candlelight peak from Lone Pine Lake is a great hike. There are no permits...the climbing is on good rock....and for people who do not want to complete the top section...they can come down the eastern ridge.

But Bob R is right....what would be great for a small group would be overloaded with 20 people.

If we have 17 people like last year (but remember 15 is max party size) Dragon or Candlelight's east ridge would be crowded. I'd feel more comfortable with ten or fewer on these routes. Of the two climbs, Dragon is the easier.

I agree that Langley is a little long and not terribly exciting. But it is a pretty area and the hiking is pleasant, and party size is not a problem. A shorter option could be Cottonwood Pass - Trailmaster - Cirque. Then continue on to Army Pass Point (a little class 3), or simply descend from Cirque.

I am thinking out loud here…..Chime in if you have a thought.

It appears that neither Dragon nor Candlelight Peak would be good candidates for a large group of hikers, and as several people have pointed out, some of the exposed areas of either climb might be a problem. So, I was thinking that we should revisit Langley and discuss the attributes and benefits of climbing her (it, him, or….I threw “her” in. Not sure if a peak is female or male, or neither…… that’s another discussing. However, that’s my attempt at being humorous).

Langley would be fun if we tried a couple different routes either up or down. Army Pass up to Langley with a climb down the Fin route would be fun. I am sure that Bob could suggest other potential routes of interest.

However, climbing Langley would be a long, long day, both in distance and time. Bob, what time would you think would be a good time to start the hike? Finish? We’d have to factor in driving over from the Portal.

Last year, there was tremendous amount of uncertainty as to how many people would show up at the trailhead. Rumors abound…. 30… 40…. more. The forest service definitely was concerned enough to send out a ranger.

This year appears different and I am not sure why. I don’t see the same level of enthusiasm (postings) as last year. Maybe it’s still too early; maybe it’s because the selection of a route has not been finalized.

If we knew that the number of people going was 10 or less than Dragon and Candlelight would be excellent choices. However, if we get a turnout like last year, then our choices are limited, leaving Langley as the only climb……… All of the options are excellent, but it all comes down to group size and I am afraid that we may not know for certain how many people are planning to go until the day of the hike.

As Bob stated, Cirque Peak has some points and as with Langley, group size is not a factor, only the length of day (shorter for Cirque).

For me, I have never climbed Cirque Peak nor descended the Fin route. So, this would be new for me.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated since I think we should try and finalize our destination and therefore end the uncertainty.

Paul

Doesn't matter to me! Looking forward to the comradarie and beers at the campgrounds with everyone. Or like our guy Bob says cold Bears!!!!!!!!!!

So true Jeff..... Phil (aka lik2hik) said the very same thing in an email to me. I guess in many ways I viewed the hike in the wrong terms. I should have thought of it more as a gathering for all to meet and put faces on names.

It will be great to meet the night before for burgers and beer at the Portal and then head back to the campsite for a blazing fire and few more beers and stories.

paul

Bumping this back up....

I was part of the group hike last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Therefore, I am definitely planning on being a part of the second annual hike. As far as a destination, another thought might be to split the group into two (or more) and either staging the departure times or approaching Candlelight from both east ridge and the Meysan Canyon side. That would give everyone an option regarding the difficulty level that they are comfortable with, keep the group size down, and yet still have everyone meet up on the summit at the same time.

Just a thought. Either way - and any destination - count me in.

Hmmm...I missed this thread somehow (must've been outside)...

Well, if Bob has put it in ink, no less, than I must also get out the quill again.

I will be perfectly willing to help push a splinter faction up any class 3/4/5 path if that's what materializes. If not, a big group of rabble rousers (or would that be rubble rousers?) will be just as enoyable.

I can't remember: What was our starting to finishing ratio last year? We might end up with a measurable attrition rate, which may or may not help decide the destination...

As a reminder (this was posted earlier in the thread) - We have reserved (3) campsites at the Portal campground for Friday & Saturday, 9/26 & 9/27 by the Meysan Lakes Trailhead. These are for group hikers to use.
Each site holds (6) people. If you are interested then PM me and I'll hold a spot for you. No obligation at this point - we can split the costs when we get up there in Sept. Obviously if our hike ends up being somewhere else, we can drop the sites. The idea was to get some sites while they are still available. We currently have (6) who have decided to camp there.

More bump (less grind).

From what I can tell, the destination will be decided the night before? That's fine by me, but it may be a chore doing it by consensus given the wide range of hikers last time.

Another consideration, since it's the weekend, is to have an additional hike on Sunday if there's some sort of mutiny.

Most importantly: Will the hike coincide with the BBQ again? (Doug? Cherida?)

DEFINITELY planning on some sort of 'q! I mean, PF is cool and all (I think the hole in the wall from the cork is still there from last year...) but there's nuthin' like a tri-tip Moosie-style! Woohoo!

I've got a spot reserved at the Portal. So looking forward to this group hike. Since I can't hike with you guys every weekend, I'll take several times a year and a 'q thrown in! Btw, what is a tri-tip Moosie-style??

MC

It sounds like Moosie's offering to cook for the whole group!! Last year's trip was a blast... Great hike, pleasant company and fun times at the PF afterwards.(Due to proximity I ended up sharing Moosie's champagne shower.) Adding to the enjoyment was the fact that a lot of WPSMB members who didn't make the hike dropped in at PF to say hi! Looking forward to this year's festivities!!

Hi

I want to thank all of you who have posted responses on the message board or sent me private email with comments on the original suggested hikes and alternative ones.

The process of selecting a climb seemed to center on a couple issues, such as the technical difficulty of the climb, length of hike (mileage and time) and group size.

Throughout the selection process, the exclusion of Dragon never seemed to fully disappear from the list of possible climbs. Yes, there is the issue of traversing the crack (exposure). However, that seems to be the only main issue and the actual climb to that point is no different than last years Thor climb in terms of class 2 and 3 scrambling.

The traverse of the crack should be placed in perspective in terms of the overall experience. Keep in mind, we will be traveling to an area that most of us have never been before.

Each individual will need to decide whether the exposure generated by the traverse along the crack is within their comfort level.

Once we reach the point where we traverse across the crack, individuals can choose to stop at that point and have lunch while those who decide to continue the short distance to the summit, can do so.

If you haven’t already viewed Snow Nymph’s climb of Dragon Peak with Bob R, please click on the following link. I highly recommend viewing the pictures to get a feel for the climb.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/554201517LpsGDy

If you decide to join us and want to share the night before with the other board members, please post a message and email Phil (aka lik2hik) to reserve a spot in our reserved campsite. I also want to thank Phil at this time for reserving the campsites and tracking those who are going. Phil it has been great to work with you.

A couple points:

• Depending on the turnout (a group limit of 15), we may have to split the group into 2 groups (Forest Service limit). At this time, I don’t believe we have reached that number…. Phil, do you have a current list?
• No permits are needed
• Each individual needs to be self sufficient

I would also like to suggest that we all meet for burgers and drinks at the Portal Store on Friday around 6pm. After dinner, we can all go back to the campsite to enjoy an evening next to the fire and more beer and conversation.

After the climb…… Pizza factory?

Paul

As it turns out, I will not be able to make this climb. Blame it on misreading something that's been on my calendar for months. But I'm sure you will all enjoy Dragon immensely.

Paul was gracious enough to pay for the pizza and beer after last year's climb, but I had thought we should relieve him of the responsibility this time. $10 or $12 each should take care of it. (Easy for me to say--I won't be there!)

If Onion Valley campground is closed, does that mean the road up there is also closed? If so, should this hike be moved up a couple of weeks? Just a thought.

The road will only close if it snows and stays.

One year, a rather low snow year (mid 1970s) the road was still open in February. That year I climbed up to Kearsarge Pass.

Other times, I have hiked into the Kearsarg lakes late November.

paul

If any thought at all is being given to moving the date, some of us need to know that ASAP, since non-refundable air fare (to be purchased in the immediate future, and more expensive than it used to be) is involved.

CaT