Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Whitney: The Hard Way - August 1, 2009.

Also check out Steve Larson's description of the MR on summitpost...
http://www.summitpost.org/route/155528/mountaineer-s.html

Thanks RG. Btw, let me know when your ready for a HM to WP rematch.

Thanks Dave G. Yes, the knee is feeling much better now. Not 100%, but getting there.

Crazyhorse- hook up with someone who has done the route before.

Trust me, I am hoping that is the case. I plan on getting to the portal campsite on Wednesday the 12th at 8 in the morning hoping to grab a campsite. If all goes as planned I will be asking around if anyone is doing the MR the next day (thurs the 13th)and if I could possibly tag along. Either way I am confident on getting to the top. Thanks for your input

Here is a good picture of the Ebersbacher Ledges route. Click on it for the full-size version.


Print it out and carry it along -- it might be a big help.

Stick to the upper red line, under the cliff. The lower red line has now been marked off for Rehabilitation.

If it seems like we're giving you a lot of grief, it's because at least a few people a year need to be rescued. Even worse, there have been a fair number of deaths in the Southern Sierra this season that really didn't need to happen. If people understood the terrain a little better...

Hi Richard, Sill was great! Pix are here
We were considering traversing to Polemonium, but there wasn't enough time. I'm planning on going back to do the Swiss Arete before winter.

The Palisades region is beautiful from either side. Nice going to both of you!

I you need someone to clean (no leading for me), I'm game.

K-Horse:

First, my apologies to Richard P. -- while not intending to hi-jack this thread, I shared krazyhorse's concerns re the Ledges until a recon hike up the North Fork three weeks ago in preparation for the MR overnighter I'll be doing with some friends in about a week.

Bottom line, Krazy, is that the Ledges aren't that tough. If you are paying attention, and stay on the route and don't get into areas where you're not supposed to be, the exposure isn't really that bad at all. I'd liken it to some narrower step-sections of Half Dome's SubDome, or maybe Zion's Angel's Landing as far as the exposure is concerned. A buddy of mine and I handled the Ledges on this recon hike without any problems at all.

What helped a MR first-timer like me: BobR's photos. Take a look at his link (below). They are terrific. Also do a search of "Ebersbacher" on this Board for the past couple of seasons -- you'll find a wealth of information (SnowNymph's and Richard P.'s photos are also pretty darn good, too). The photos are truly worth a thousand words.

Okay, back to BobR's photos. While others may eschew the method, I made a little route booklet of his E-Ledges photos in order, shoved it in my pocket and after taking my time and working my way up the MR last month, I pulled out the pics and put them to use. It's easy to match up the landmarks in the photos with those you'll encounter. Bob did a great job laying it all out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellb/sets/72157600322219631/

Before you know it, they're behind you. While the descent is a little more tricky than the ascent, it's really not bad at all. I would have to agree with others, though, who've commented that it's important to hit this section in the daylight.

Really study the photos you see on this Board so that when you get there, you'll know when to expect, say, the large old pine to which you're supposed to stay left ... or the large anvil-shaped boulder to which, again, you're supposed to stay left.

Go slow, stay focused, and hike smart. Good luck to you.

BruinDave

Ya, I didnt mean to hi-jack this thread. So I apologize. I just want everyone to know how much this thread has helped me. So I appreciate everyones comments...Thank you dearly.

Any update on snow and ice conditions on the MR, especially above the notch?