Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Agassiz/Bishop Question

Hi,
If any member here lives in Bishop or has been in the area recently, could you please provide a report on the conditions there?

I want to take a trip up to Agassiz but don't know if it's doable for a novice right now. I've been up to San Jacinto the past three weeks but don't know if the snow at Agassiz has consolidated enough for some crampons. I'm also worried about avalanches of course.

Any insight/advice for a novice is appreciated. Thanks.

Which route did you take up to San Jac? I'm sure that will help those here assess whether or this is too much for a novice.

If you've been doing the tram thing up through Sid Davis to the peak, I'd say this is beyond your pay grade.

It was from the tram and not Skyline.

I have been to Agassiz once last October. There was snow, but of course, not the level that's up there right now.

Thanks for the assessment. Working my way up from minimum wage...

The approach to San Jacinto up the slope to the San Jacinto/Miller Divide is short, easy and well traveled. Agassiz would be a long hard slog before you even reach the trailhead at South Lake.

You would be better served taking on the north slopes of San G, Charlton, Baldy Bowl and Badden-Powell before attempting a big 13er like Agassiz.

Even some of my most ardent Bishop Pass hikers are avoiding the area just now. Mucho, mucho snow covering the trail from the trail head at South Lake and on and on into Kings Canyon. The trail just below Bishop Pass traverses a large, unstable boulder field, which would be extremely difficult in present conditions. As the snow begins to melt in the Spring, this particular boulder field begins to spawn heavy rock fall across the trail.

The easiest route up Aggasiz is from Bishop Pass, via a shallow gulley that is very stable when snow is not present. The view from the summit is outstanding. But this easy route is currently filled with deep, unstable snow.

http://esavalanche.org/advisory