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

Hi all,

I am sorry for the delay in responding, but it took me some time to work through the possibilities after Bob discovered his conflict.

Let me say this about Bob, he has been very generous from the start, helping me along by making suggestions on the routes and also keeping me on track. Bob, I hope I didn’t make a pain of myself throughout the process.

When Bob, notified me of the conflict, it was not hard to detect how sorry he was in the email. Bob..... next year!!!!

I have been in contact with Tom (aka Tomcat_rc) and he has indicated that he will join us and act as co-leader on the trip. Thanks Tom!!!!

Tom is well known on the message board and has climb Dragon 10 times over the years. He knows the route well. We will be in good hands.

I also believe that some other board members who have hiked Dragon will also join us.

So, we are still scheduled for the hike on Saturday, September 27th.

So far, below is a list of both committed and interested members so far. Please email Phil (aka lik2hik) if you are interested but not on the list. Also let Phil know whether you are interested in reserving a spot at the campsites reserved by him.

Tom (Tomcat_rc)
M.C. Reinhardt
Phil (lik2hik)
Richard Roth (Spinefixr)
Jay (JayD)
Paul
Cori (Snow Nymph)
Mountainboy11
Jeff Schofield
Jeff M
Elway
Puma
Ranboze
Kashkraft
Lovethesierras
Moosetracks
Elmichael

Thanks

paul

Paul, thanks for all you are doing. Bob, hope to meet you next year! I'm booking my flight today. I'll be staying in HB with my parents. It's a little early but I would like to carpool with any of the "committed" hikers if possible.

I am looking forward to meeting those of you who will be going. And I get to meet Snow Nymph! Also, it will be nice to see those of you I've been fortunate enough to already have met. Really looking forward to this hike!

MC

For planning purposes, it should be assumed I’m not coming. I’ll be hiking in the area for eleven days this month, and I doubt I’ll be able to come back in September. I WISH I could, but…

I was wandering around some websites and came across a really great Dragon Peak trip report. Kudos to the person who put all of this together.

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/viewTrip.aspx?tripId=45055

Paul

Here is a link to to a summitpost trip report of Dragon Peak

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152723/dragon-peak.html

For those of us who have never been there before, should we be concerned about the safety and exposure of the ledge?

It is looks like it would scare the living daylights out of you.

http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=131375&context_id=152723

Last month Snow Nymph and I hiked this with some of my KRVHC friends. All 3 from the club had never hiked this peak before. Karen - who just started hiking with us - has only done two peaks prior and they were class II at best. Although I did bring a short rope in case anyone wanted it - everyone was comfortable with the conditions as they were. Of course last month we got to glisade down to the upper lake - don't think that will be happening in September. I will probably bring a short rope in case anyone wants to summit but would feel more comfortable with the rope for support.

Here is Karen as I look on from the summit area:


And here is Kathy as she crosses the crack:

Holy camera tilt, Batman!

Are those two shots more or less of the same spot, with one being from front and the other from the back?

CaT

Yes - the crack is about 30 feet long - after you cross(where I am standing in the second picture) - it is just a 15 foot scramble to the summit. The crack is plenty wide enough for even the largest of feet and there are great hand holds in all the key places.

I suppose I'll see for myself this Wednesday, when I'll be trying a Dragon + Gould loop.

Jeff M, that was priceless!

I'm still in and looking forward to the challenge!

Thanks, Tom; that helps.

CaT

As Tom pointed out the crack is the last obstacle before the top. It would be sad to not go on the hike because of the exposure when one thinks that 99.9 percent of the hike can be accomplished. Those wishing to go should keep in mind that if they decided to stop at the crack, they will only be some 15 feet from the top. Enjoy the hike up to that point!!!!

paul

I've been lurking on this thread for a while...and yikes! I am not sure someone of my limited mountain experience could make this, but the group hike interests me.
I would be coming from So. Cal - I noticed someone wanted to catch a ride so you could pencil me in...or send me a pm.

I climbed Dragon Peak for the first time on Wednesday. I thought the ridge traverse prior to the infamous ledge was actually scarier than the ledge itself; the nature of the ridge was unknown to me, but I had seen plenty of pictures and descriptions of the ledge.

Paul, and/or others involved in the planning/logistics?

I don't know if its too early for these details but i have a few questions:

- Where would we be starting or meeting for this hike? and what time?
- What is the distance to be traveled?
- What time do we anticipate to summit/and return?
- What kind of gear do we need?
- What level terrain will we be traveling (as a min to max)- The reason i ask this besides just getting an idea is that I had a shoulder surgery 4 months ago and i am still restricted from climbing or any type of resistance with my left arm, due to a winter incident actually on whitney this past winter. But I am cleared to hike and do outdoor activities that don't depend on that arm, and actually we will be climbing whitney on 8/22-23.

cheers

mafiose13,

I am not sure I can answer many of your questions; hopefully someone on the Board will.

I haven't spoken with Tom (aka Tomcat_rc) since he offered to guide us..... but, as for some logistical questions that you have, I believe I can offer a few details.

The hike starts at the trailhead at the end of the road in Onion Valley.... I believe that the hike will start between 7:30 and 8am, but I'll know more as we get closer to the hike date. I expect to return to the parking area around 5 or so..... Tom may offer to take some of the hikers over to Gould and exit via Kearsarge Pass. I think the conditions at the time we are on the summit will determine whether Gould is included. Again, it's up to Tom.

Phil has reserved 2 campsites at the Portal where some of us will be camping the night before and if you would like to stay with us, just email Phil (aka lik2hik) and reserve a spot. In an earlier post I suggested that on Friday night, we meet at the Portal Store for burgers and beer.

As for gear..... everyone should be self-sufficient. Be prepared for weather and terrain conditions. Most of the hike, except for a couple small sections are class 2, with a majority of the hike as cross country. If you have a chance, scroll back to where I posted some links to a couple climbs of Dragon. There is a lot of information in those photos.

The area that we will be in is quite beautiful, if not spectacular. If you just want to hike a portion of the trail, that would be great. It's up to you and your shoulder.

Paul

I climbed Dragon Peak and Mt. Gould on 23 July, and took a few pictures:

http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/...b_pml&cb=PW

In September the days will certainly be shorter. But I think a 8am start time should be sufficient. Remember the temps will also be cooler in another 2 months - so bring appropriate clothing.

As pointed out. The ridge line leading up to the infamous ledge can be just as unnerving as the actual ledge itself. Although the exposure is minimal - it depends on your comfort level. We will stop at certain intervals along the way. So it will be no problem deciding how much of the hike is suitable for yourself.

I will probably scout out conditions a couple of weeks prior to the trip and be able to report back with more up to date beta. For those wanting to join the group for a hike but not wanting to summit, there are several beautiful lakes along the way. In addition the Golden Trout Lakes are a short ways off from the route we are taking. I will point this out at the appropriate location also.

Based on the size of group as I have seen; I will probably not lead a Gould traverse. It might be a good idea to find who has an interest in that loop and single out a secondary group if needed. I may redo the traverse on my scouting route prior. If interested in this - send me a pm or e-mail for details.



OBTW- there is a small loose section where the drainage leads up to the ridge. Will advise on location upon arrival. We will probably go through this section in small groups. It is a short section but some may want to bring a helmet for safety reasons.


Thanks as always - Tom

I just made reservations at Doug's hostel for Fri. night (the 26th). Thanks Yolanda! I will no longer be needing a camping spot at the Portal held for me. By any chance will anyone be coming through Lone Pine early Sat. morning that I might catch a ride with to the Portal?

Thanks!
MC