Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Tyndall/Williamson

Mescalito345:

See this trip report from last year before reading my answer below. http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/528506/Williamson-and-Tyndall-at-age-60.html. I'm planning to repeat that trip on July 14 or 15.

As I said before, I prefer camping at Shepherd Pass if I'm camping. If you sleep at Anvil Camp, it's harder to get both Williamson and Tyndall in the same day. If you don't get them in the same day, you have to climb from Anvil Camp to Shepherd Pass twice.

I would discuss it with your partners when you get to Anvil Camp. Do you have enough daylight and energy to do almost 2,000 feet more elevation gain with a pack? Is everybody doing OK with the altitude? If you press on, you are pretty well committed, since there are no good campsites along the way. I recommend Shepherd Pass for camping, but not if it means that you stagger into camp after dark, don't get a decent dinner, and start for Williamson late in the morning, still trashed from the previous day's approach.

No matter where you camp, you should do Williamson first. If you have daylight, energy, and decent weather, Tyndall isn't too much of a detour on the way back to camp. BTW, Tyndall's north rib is nice class 3, and the NW ridge is crappy talus. Do the rib.

Bob

North Rib on Saturday:


What you don't see are the apparent hordes of people all climbing at once. Just watch yourselves. I've never seen more cars at the SP trailhead, somewhere between 16-20 cars? My friend Leti climbed both Willie and Tyndall this weekend, said there were rocks flying everywhere.

Everyone was also camped at the higher tarn above Shepherd Pass. I had the tarn right there entirely to myself (except for the friendly and inquisitive marmotelian-type critter).

Laura:

I've been told that it's possible to sneak around the snow on Williamson without an axe or crampons. Does that sound right to you? Thanks.

Bob

Bob, I wasn't in the chute at all, but Leti was telling me it was possible to be on rock most of the way. For you, I would guess not a problem. For others with less experience, they may still have to lug the gear up there. I'll see if I can find out some more beta/get pics from her.

-L

Hey L,
Wow, looks like you had a really great trip ……well except for the shin carnage, ouch!
Great photos as usual and thanks for the Sierra & Shepherd Pass beta.

Holy cow! there is still a lot of snow in the Sierra back country…………guess I’ll have to waterproof the ‘ol trail-runners and find a pair of gaiters.
Hoping to get back up Hwy 395 soon.

Cheers,
RickG

Grahamcracker, I'll put together the whole TR today. It was another hell of a loop! Agreed on the Sierra Slop back there right now. Going today to get new gaiters and waterproofing gunk for the shoes (maybe new boots, too)!!

Moose Tracks,

I was planning on hiking Willi. this weekend up SP Saturday and Sunday. Plans have changed a bit and now it appears as if I'm going alone. I've never been so I don't think it's such a great idea. You said it was really busy up there. What are the chances I might be able to hook up with another group at Anvil or up SP?

More than likely to be other people, and probably be able to hook up with another group if they are willing. You just never know... Best of luck and have fun!

Thanks.

Thanks for the information about climbing routes. Our group summitted Williamson on July 12, and Tyndall on July 13. Here's a link to some photos:

Tyndall and Williamson

Congrats, nice double. The skies looked like they were ready to open up.

On Sunday afternoon, there was rain and hail during our hike up to Shepherd Pass. So we decided to start early on Monday, before the clouds rolled in. We started hiking at around 5:00 in the morning, and reached the peak (Williamson) at around 9:30. Soon after returning to our tents, it rained for more than an hour (heavy at times).

Really enjoyed that, thanks.

I went up by myself. Spent the night in the rain on Saturday July 10th. I left at 3 a.m. on Sunday the 11th. I was heading towards Williamson but the weather was still crappy. I had to go all the way back the same day so I decided not to go up. Arrrrrrrrr. Willi. 1, Casey 0.

I went up yesterday to dayhike Williamson and Tyndall. I summitted Williamson at noon as clouds formed over Tyndall. By the time I got back across Williamson Bowl, I was trashed and it was raining a little. I just headed down. Bob 1, Willi 0, Weather 1.

Sorry to hear the weather screwed up your Double.

I'm glad the Williamson Bowl is closed now so that I won't be tempted to try what has to be one of the hardest doubles around.

Great job Bob. I can't believe you did these in a day before. I'm still going to give it another go next year.

I'm proud of my doubles, but RichardP was about an hour and a half faster than I was last year.

Casey, let me know when you want to go for Willy and Tyndall next year. Let's see if I can keep from getting lost this time.

Ken,

Most definitely. Hopefully there will be better weather....although it didn't seem to keep you guys from going up last year.