Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MC has spoken - MR - April 16-18, 2010

Mike you’re so sweet. What would I do without you? I know fall off the mountain. I promise not to hit you too hard.

Hey FYI, Thanks for the input on the hike. I'm glad that you can be very honest with me. That means a lot.

More than ok, Mighty Mouse. But no hitting. And for the record, I'm stepping up my training program but I also may stop at the notch. Summit is the goal but coming down and having fun with cool peeps is the ultimate goal. Look so forward to meeting you and others I haven't yet had the pleasure...

Hi All,

I am new to the forum but I am interested in joining your group. I have been planning a late March MR trip and it now appears that my ropemate is backing out on me. I am planning on skinning to the camp and then skinning/climbing the MR on Saturday and skiing down from below the notch after summting. I would be willing to help as needed with set up and can contribute equipment.

Very interested...Thanks in advance,
Andrew

I hadn't followed any this thread until a day or so ago, and saw this:


Well, it would be wonderful, but I can't this time. If it works out at all, my one shot at doing Whitney this year will be my leading a group of local Ohio guys -- 6 newbies and 1 more experienced guy (none of whom have done Whitney) -- on an MT dayhike later this summer, assuming we get our permits in the lottery (they don't want to risk coming out from Ohio and trying to get a walk-in or cancellation permit, in case the lottery gods frown on our application).

But if it were possible, joining this hike would be fun. It would be great to meet all of you, most of whom I only know in cyberspace.

My only general observation is just to be very aware of both the weather and avalanche conditions right up until the last minute, and realize that hiking the MR in April is still winter mountaineering.

Best wishes to all of you for a great hike. I look forward to the TRs and the pics.

CaT

PS - Out here in Columbus, we've just completed the snowiest February on record (30.1" for the month), and if another 18" falls yet this winter, we would establish a new "snowiest winter season" record. Our normal winter season snowfall is around 27".

Well, this could save some of us from having to carry up 25+ pounds of extra gear...

My thought now is that I'll just carry a short section of rope for you for the descent (if you feel you need it) and just follow close behind on the way up.

Richard-
That sounds prudent. While I was looking forward to the idea of -someone else- fixing ropes for the climb, I was a bit concerned over the assorted potential commplications that would add. You started this thread with


Now 20 people later, you clearly weren’t planning to make sure such a large group got down off the mountain before you remove the rope. I think it makes sense for everyone to make their own arrangements and not rely on a rope, guidance, or security blanket provided by others. Of course I have to include myself in that group- it was appealing to think the final stretch would be a simple matter due to having some protection.

Jim

Ignoring the above...

I'm going to be heading up the North Fork at least one day this weekend to see what kind of shape the route up is in. Here's hoping the route isn't thrashing thru the willows...

I'm guessing that we'll probabaly be able to park at the Meysan Lakes Trailhead area (unless the Road Crews block the road for their work, which is a distinct possiblity), or higher.

I'm still thinking Frog Pond (Barney/Girl Scout/Thor) Lake will be a good place to get our crowd away from the rest of the crowd. I know some have mentioned LBSL, but you might as well day-climb it if you're going to camp that low. Others have mentioned Iceberg, but that makes for a fairly rough day with "heavy" loads.

Being the tyrant that I am, I'd like to say this isn't open for discussion (What happened to the "evil" smiley?), but it is.

Five weeks to go.....

I like that idea Richard - it's always been one of my favorite lakes (looks like an infinity pool when standing at the westerly end) - I didn't know it was also called Frog Pond, Barney, and Thor Lake. Tony B.

I just recently saw that its official name is Frog Pond.

I've heard that Norman Clyde named it Thor Lake.

I don't know where Barney Lake came from.

Bob starting calling it Girl Scout Lake years ago so that there would be almost equal opportunity because of the Boy Scout Lakes. (LBSL will be gone in a few more years.)

Well ring leader (Richard) this should be fine with everyone since this is your planed trip for MC.
Lead away.....

Wow, just read through this thread, and can't help but feel excited at the adventure in store for everyone going on this trip. I'm from CO, and am on a temp work assignment in CA, and will be spending a week in the Death Valley / Whitney area during the time of your trip. I had been researching the possibility of an April summit bid of Whitney when I stumbled onto this thread.

I know this party is already huge, but if you find room for another, I would certainly love to join. I've summitted 28 14ers in CO, including some of the tougher ones, and have done a couple snow climbs too (though not with rope). Would be a lot of fun to hear stories about the Sierra mountains. I'd consider myself a "fast group" hiker, though I do make many quick stops to take photos. I really love trying to capture the entire adventure on camera, and create online scrapbooks for friends and family to share in the adventure.

If you're interested, check out my web page, which has a several of these pictorial adventure journals: http://matt.tracz.org

Hi Richard, I was up there today and maybe those were your tracks to Thor? I will post pix later...but there is a good track now.Maybe one of those trax were yours? BTW I got a horrible sunburn today.

Hi Blooty came by on her way home, WOW after she left I was talking to Earlene and it hit me how strong she has become over the last few years Road closed sign to Iceberg Lake on a lark!!
It is quite the bowl of soup we have on the board. Thanks for stopping by Doug

This messageboard is a springboard for many a mountaineer in training...

Hi Colo_Matt I checked your site hoping to see a winter traverse of HOLY CROSS during a Sunday afternoon outing, Oh Well. Your travels would be a great asset to the group . I may not go as I am older and plan on doing the Senior hike if I can remember the date . Thanks for posting some very fine art work of the Colorado Mountains. I grew up in Lakewood when it was Country , Just before sliced bread was on the market. Coor's made beer as a sideline and Golden was a vacation . Thanks Doug

I hope everyone makes their summit.

and I wish I could be there with my friends.

I almost fell off my chair laughing at that, Doug. I'm 61 and might do the MR that day.

Reality check here. Since three people I've climbed Baldy with are in the slow group, and I'm slower than them... I guess I belong in the slow group.

Don't worry about being slow.

I think it's time to start talking gear and logistics...

I'm a minimalist, so I can't make gear recommendations for you, but maybe Kurt can post a link to his recommendations for a trip up the MR. (Or maybe I'll find it on his website.)

On the logistics side... I'm carrying up a 3-person tent for MC and myself. Mike is going with a bivy and we'll have room for him if the weather turns.

Oh, WAGBAG(s) is on the required gear list...

I don't like the heat down low, so an early start is preferred. MC, are you an early riser?

Ditto!!

I am busy on Tyndall this w/e but if I don't get too beat up (and can find the store and the TH) I might like to join the other 55+generationions and do clean up hike behind the main group... I'll just wave at g-mike and the x and y gens as they cruise the route....