Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board WPSMB group hike 2009

Robin -
That should be no problem. I am sure you will be able to spot our group as we roll in. I will be trying to leave the Hostel around 6:30am.

We'll see what magic this storm is going to bring (we got a foot in Lundy Canyon (8K) the same weekend that Whitney got nothing), and after last year, I'm in a "wait and see" type of mood.

People interested in the Cl3 route: we'll meet at the Store around 0700-0715, to leave no later than 0745. I'll take the same pace I did the MR in a few weeks ago with goals of hitting LBSL in about 90-120 minutes, break if need be, Clyde Meadows about 45 minutes later. Times will absolutely be adjusted to the slowest people, and we will take breaks as requested. No worries, no hurries.

Adjustments to the route will be made once we get up there. As I remember, there are some slabby portions, which, with a light covering of snow, would be less than desirable. <shoulder shrug> Meh, we'll see...

-L

Hi Dave!

Yah... I was a little confused at the "quote thing" at first

Thanks for the offer! I'd definately take you up on it, but from Lone Pine I'm heading south to visit family for a week, so I'll need my car.

It's a long drive, but I listen to audio books and it goes fast... I've got the new Dan Brown book to listen to this time.

Rosie

Howdy all,
How many are considering the SE couloir? I'm trying to get a rough estimate for timing, if not consolidating.

If the headcount is low, I'd rather opt for one of the other routes up. I don't mind bringing a group down the SE, but I think we'll have more fun going up the NF.

Thanks

Snowshoes? - Shall I bring an extra pair?

Californians...sigh

B

The last NOAA update I saw said at 12k feet - expect possible 2-8 inches. I would expect any minor accumulation to be long gone by the time the weekend rolls around.

Less than 1 week to go - it finally feels like it is getting close.

Hey Tom,
My friend from the Baldy Message Board Shin is coming and staying at the Hostel Friday night. He's super cool and qualified. He's logged over 160+ summits of Baldy in the summer and winter. Please add him to the group...

Jeff Scofield

Hey Jeff -
I added him last week - see current list.
The cat is on it.

Dude your the man! Ran into Shin on Baldy Saturday.....Saw this dude running down the mountain like it was on fire....

Headed to LP for patients this afternoon. I'll keep an eye up and if there is a break in the clouds I'll try to get it loaded tonight when I get home...

So we can simplify the route planning and minimize Saturday's confusion, I've started another thread for people to post their preference here.

Doug recommended that I climb the SE Couloir a while back (I had thought he was just trying to get me to do something stupid for a few weeks, until I finally tried it.) and I can report that it's a lot more fun (and a really fast way up Thor) then I ever expected it to be. It's loose in the middle, but if you stay on the left side, it's as easy as walking up a long staircase (until you get to the summit plateau).

I did a repeat of the thing within a week, just to check and see if I was kidding myself.

Destination: Thor Peak
Date: Saturday October 17,2009


Time to get your reservations in now
Separate thread now up for potluck / festivities

Who's going:

Tomcat_rc - Tom
- Lisa
RichardP - Richard
GigaMike - Mike
HypoxicZombie - Arthur
Brent - Brent
JamesL - James
DobeMom - Kristine
Jeff Schofield - Jeff
Rosabella - Rosie
Hedgehog - Doug forbes
ElMicheal - Michael
Adam S.
Moondust - Alice
Karen R. - Karen
AreteJoe - Joe
Simon
Sierragator - Jim
M. Mouse - Ava
markjwpcp - Mark
SanDi Carole - Carole
Graham - Rick
NormaR - Norma
Ranboze - Robin
Ridgeline - Dave
Trailbud - Doug
John H. - John
ocns2mts - Johnny
Jeff_M - Jeff
Wtny n1 - Betsy
Trucker - James
White Tundra - Scott
Dave G. - Dave
BobH - Bob Huey
It511 - Larry
Moosetracks - Laura
Melville1955 - Mark
Wagga
Weed Patch - Flip
Shin Nimura - Shin
Ken(Rosie's brother)
KRVHiker - Nathan
Karen H - Karen

Temperatures dropped significantly this week.
No longer just shorts and t-shirts weather.

10-3-09 hiked to Thor with Lisa and Snow Nymph
Ice early morning on the slabs at Clyde Meadow and long sleeves thoughout the day

So here is the way it is shaping up

Group A -leader Tom Brown aka Tomcat_rc will also have several friends that will help and are familiar for this group.
I will lead a group up starting up the North Fork. We will be taking the Smiley Face Route and plan to start around 7am hiking from the Portal. I did this hike Saturday at a simluted group pace and we summited in 6:05 minutes. This included several stops for break and a nice easy pace. Anyone who wants to make this hike but is not sure if they are in condition or other worries should be encouraged to join this group. If you decide to turn around during part of the hike(LBSL or Clyde), we will make sure you are provided for a safe passage down.

Group B - talked to Sierra Gator - possible will lead this group.
This will be a faster paced group. We talked about leaving 1/2 hour to 1 hour later than the group A. The start time will be finalized by leader

Group C - Jeff M leader

Leading a group starting up the Main Trail and ascending via the SE culoir. Jeff will announce his start time. This is a loose chute and group size should be limited. Jeff can add to this section.

Group D - Stemwinder.

This is a techinal route. Graham, Dave and Bob H. are capable of leading. They will handle all of their group contacts for start times and other logistics. By now I belive they have already picked their groups - but any questions should be directed to them directly.

Last posting I belive Norma, GigaMike and Richard P were the rest of that team.

Group E - leader Laura aka Moosetracks

leading a class III route from Girl Scout Lake(aka Barney Lake)
This route is the same aproach for Smiley except from GS Lake will use the class III boulder for a more direct approach to the summit. People taking this route should have comfort in class III boulders. If you have to ask what this means - this is not the route for you. Any questions contact group leader. Laura will set start time.

Group F - Doug Snr. - route TBD
Ok - even though he is much more interesting and has a lifetime of stories to tell, not everyone gets to hike with Doug. Remember no punching, kicking or scratching. We are all adults.

Remember the idea is to get everyone to the summit as close to 1pm as possible. My guess is that everyone should be able to descend within 3 hours.

Several of us will have radios and monitor on station 6 sub 3
Last weekend I was able to communicate with friends at Clyde Meadow while I was near Lone Pine Lake.

Feel free to add to message or pm as needed.

Additional information:
I would like to meet at the Hostel at 6am.
That will give us time to meet and divide into groups.
It will take about 30 minutes to commute up to the Portal and get ready to start the hike

Tom,

i want to say "Thank You" in advance for all the time and behind the scenes communication i realize it has taken to make this group hike happen. i wish the Ashcraft's could be there on Saturday, but i know that they are aware of our respect for Kent and our desire to make this a memorial hike in his honor.

i look forward to thanking in person, all who participated in the organization this event.

looking forward to Saturday,
norma ryan

Thank you Norma -

Of great help has been Phil and Paul. After planning the last 3 years events, there experience and input this year has been a blessing. You just can't imagine all these two have done to make these trips a success and I wanted to thank them personally.

Yesterday I recieved this is the mail - this should look good for our group pictures:



Thank you again Paul and Phil - we will miss you this year.

A few late addition notes:

There has been some concern over the size of the group. This year's hike appears to be the largest we have had yet. A recent discussion came up as to whether we should have a liability waiver. The initial thought was "no". After all we are not a club or an organization - just a bunch of friends getting together to hike up a mountain. We are not guides that are leading a trip. But also brought up was some of the opposing views. With a group this size and possible fall/winter conditions - there are certainly more risks than a summer hike. I would suggest that everyone going on this hike is aware of the risks and assumes personal responsibility for himself/herself. Upon further discussion we(not all parties need to be named) agree that maybe in this case a liability waiver would be a good thing. I would like everyone who plans to hike with our group to sign a waiver accepting personal responsibility. This includes non-liability to any other member to this boards moderators or any other fellow hikers. We will have the waivers available at the hostel and bring copy to trail head for those people planning to meet at the Portal. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions.


In addition - by looking at the web cam we saw that there was new snow in the Whitney area from this latest snow. Individuals leading this hike will be accessing the risk to their chosed route and may determine to alter that route if they feel the conditions warrant. Again if you have any questions feel free to pm the route leader.

Personally my opinion is that the snows were not heavy enough to stop a successful summit of Thor on Saturday. Snow may affect some routes including NW class III boulders and possible Stemwinder. Those leaders will be making individual judgements over the next couple of days.

Enough of the boring announcement stuff:

Let's all get out and have some fun
Just remember to bring some warm layers - shorts and tennis shoes will make for an uncomfortable hike.

Tomcat,
I can't say enough about how much you have done to make this happen, (and of course the work of trail_bud on the BBQ thread is also a plus! ).
I am busy boiling potatoes for a killer potato salad right now...

the waiver is a good idea. I dont' have any problems with it, hopefully no one else will, either...
Mark

I was hoping I would make this group hike...especially because in memory of Kent Ashcraft..who I admired very much.
Also so many people on this board I would love to one day meet.

Always another year!
I wish you all a safe and happy adventure!