Great Report and Pics So.BayMark and Moose tracks !! The Upper Cliff switch backs on Old army Pass and Shepard s Pass can be Extremely Dangerous with the Snow and Ice Chutes Covering the the trail In late fall, early winter and in the Spring. We in SAR have been always been amazed that we have not Had More Falls/ injuries and rescues over the Years due to the Way the Snow has always Made Steep Snow and Ice Chutes there. These two Pass in particular ( other than Mt. Whitney of Course) require Level headed Mountaineering Skills and Ice Gear.. aka .. Crampons and Ice axe minimum with snow/ice coverage. When I have to go over them ( in those Conditions)and Back Down I Have Always Wished that I had a Roped Belay and Partner with Snow Pickets or Stakes.I get Puckered up just thinking about the Sight Looking over the Edge with a Full heavy Pack on my shoulders solo. You guys were smart to go Back down NAP instead of Back down the Center or Right/ north side chute of OAP... Looking down that area and trying to figure a way back down has Always given me the Willies !!! And I have gone back south and over to NAP to Come Down Home Alive several times in the last 40 years !! Shepherds is Very Tough as well and maybe worse right now with a Cornice in Place and the Switchbacks at the top are buried with Very steep Ice/ snow Cutes.The Rocks at the Bottom of OAP and Shepherds are A Real Possibility of Death roe for the slipped/fallen Individual. Tech. Gear and Mind sets are required to get over it. We Stash the ropes and gear at the Top and do the Climb on Mount Keith / Tyndall or what ever. Make sure to come back to the Pass with enough energy and BRAINS to get Back down the Steep Part at the Top. Both passs are NO place for the Amutuer or Lite Hearted Back Country Travaler . Again you Two and your Veteran Band Did a great Job Leading the Charge into the High Sierras for Us in 2013 !!!! God Bless . Sierra Angler
