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This is a tough one. I only have to drive 50 miles. If my car was the only one involved, I would head up to Baldy and hike from the Village of the road to Manker Flat looked too bad. On the trail, I could always turn around if I thought that conditions were getting out of hand. Not that big a deal.
The problem with a big, indeterminate group is how to decide not to drive all the way to Manker. That and deciding whether or not to drive at all if starting from far away.
One possibility would be for early arrivals to gather at the Ranger Station drive up the hill together. We could leave a note for stragglers if we decide to head up.
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I'm in Ridgecrest. Stop your whining and get down to Baldy.  Alan: I like the idea of meeting at the Ranger Station. Look for the TOF there tomorrow morning. Right now it's orange, but that could change as I drive south through the muck and enter the smog zone... See all the cool people in the morning...  -L 
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Hike day -- A major storm was predicted to begin yesterday and continue through the weekend. The forecasters have been right so far. It was raining hard in the morning to elevations above Manker Flat. A hardy group of seven showed up anyway and braved rain, snow, wind, slush... you name it. We ended up going as far as the Ski Hut, where Kurt got a nice fire going in the wood stove. That was enough for most, as Kurt had to get back to West LA for a show. Len and Simon made a bid for the summit while the remaining five headed down. There was little snow left on Baldy two days ago, but the pictures show how much has changed. Photos
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With a chance of light snow starting this afternoon, I'm wondering whether it will be worth the drive? I like epics, but I know that Kurt's first concern is safety. (Snow on top of an icy trail? Visibility? A safe drive down the road? (The snow level is supposed to drop from 7000' this afternoon down to 5500' by tomorrow.))
Any thoughts? (This may be late, but) GO ANYWAY!!!!! 
Last edited by AlanK; 02/07/09 03:00 AM.
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Gee, Alan, that vehicle in your pics looks like something I saw flash by going south through Big Pine the other day. Just rain at the valley bottom so far. Regards from E-Js (in Big Pine) Dale B. Dalrymple http://dbdimages.com
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Gee, Alan, that vehicle in your pics looks like something I saw flash by going south through Big Pine the other day. Just rain at the valley bottom so far. I believe that you did see that vehicle flashing by the other day. It seems to get around!
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Alan,
Some great pictures! I knew I could count on one of the group posting right away. As usual it just gives me something to look at so I can be jealous...again.
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Nice photos Alan. It was a pleasure hiking with the 6 of you yesterday. Look forward to doing it again. Any news on the two that went for the summit?
Ron
Ron
harvest.org
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Thanks everyone for another great hike. Simon and Len got above the West Ridge and turned back at 2 pm. My pics are hereI'll look forward to another one when Whitney Part 2 comes around on the week of March 30!
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Had a great time with you guys yesterday! What a great day of weather, ice sculpture, and the ultimate warming hut! I'll have my pics up in a few days, and will link here when I do. I yelled at Richard a good long time last night and today for bailing! What a magoo! And he missed a great birthday party (for him)... -L
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I yelled at Richard a good long time last night and today for bailing! What a magoo! And he missed a great birthday party (for him)... Happy Birthday!!!  
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hey, no more yelling at richard, you know he is only a "FAIR WEATHER" hiker. HA. Props to Simon for finding our way back down. freezing rain was blowing sideways and our shin deep steps going up were completly covered by my two o clock turn around time. I look forward to climbing with any and all of you blokes (and blokette) in the future. thanks for the fun kurt.
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Len -- We were thinking about you guys on the way down. Our tracks from the way up were pretty well wiped out in places. We were stompin' as hard as we could. But we also knew that you two would navigate that canyon just fine! hey, no more yelling at richard, you know he is only a "FAIR WEATHER" hiker. Do you mean that if Richard had been there we would have had decent weather? Now I'm really pissed! 
Last edited by AlanK; 02/08/09 05:09 AM.
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Kurt:
Great presentation Thursday in Costa Mesa. Pictures got my wife excited to the point where she now wants to do Whitney with me this summer.
Let us know your Trader Joe's order and we'll bring it up.
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
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I had a good time meeting most of you for the first time last friday . I look forward to meeting you all again.
The weather above 9000 feet was great , windy , cold , and all that .The freezing spindrift really added to the day ! It would have been easier had the ground been more solid under foot .
We saw a large grey squirrel run across our path around the Teton rock area , pretty cool . We had arranged to turn back at 2pm , which left us a bit short of the summit .
nice to meet you all ,
cheers until next time,
Simon
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OK, I've taken enough grief on this one... Do I need to use a B word again?
Seriously, sorry for missing out. Especially to Kurt and Len as they both adjusted their schedules based on my stating that I'd like it to happen on the 6th.
In my defense, I got up at 3:00am to look at the weather update. The hourly for Mt. Baldy Village showed RAIN most of the day, while the hourly for Mammoth showed SNOW. A quick look at the resort report showed that 13" of POW were waiting at Mammoth and the vehicle refused anything but a turn to the north when I headed out of the garage.
Glad it was a good time for everyone else.
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Glad it was a good time for everyone else. It was a good time. I'm glad we went on the day you chose. I was having my doubts at 5:30, sitting in my car in Baldy Village in the pouring rain, but the hike was great.
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