Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Mt. Russell: Conditions vs. Route

Hello mountain folk!

I gave Mount Russell a go last year on Memorial Day, I however was turned back by snow early on the East Ridge.

1: This year has had a poorer snowfall correct? Everything else on the MR was clear last year except for the class 3 ledges going over the E Ridge. Would it be safe to say that this year will see an earlier melt-off?

2: Last year I came up the UBL variation to the notch and then down the slope above Clyde Meadow. The ascent to the notch sucked and seemed longer than the traditional slog up to the Russell Carillon Col has anyone done both and can they verify if one happens to be more difficult than the other?

Thanks All!

If you want a better chance for success, I'd wait. These two trip reports, especially the one on Langley would suggest there is still quite some snow. That may or may not melt by Memorial Day depending if we get any other systems that may come through.

http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/36416/No_summit_just_to_6th_lake_5_1#Post36416
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/36409/Kern_River_Loop_05_03_to_05_10#Post36409

I have only done the slog up that nasty scree slope to the Russell Carillion Col so I can't help you there. I heard there's another variation further West that is much less "sloggy". I believe Doug from the Portal Store was the person who mentioned it and knows the way. You might want to stop by the store before heading up...

I saw in the link to the High Sierra Topix forum, that someone pointed out there is more snow this year than last for same dates.

Yeah that seems to be the consensus.

The snowfall is lower this year but it was all due to late-season storms.

On the WPSMB they were telling me of a slabby alternative to reach Russell-Carillon from LBS. This interests me.

Has anyone been up Russell's South Face via Sakai Col?