SoCal Training for Mt. Whitney - 05/02/10 07:16 PM
There is still a bunch of snow on the north faces our local mountains, which wasn't there last year at this time. We reached the summit of Mt. Badden-Powell last year on 4/4 and the summit ridge and the summit itself was significantly melted out; by 5/23 I could hike to the summit from Dawson Saddle over Throop and Burnham without snow being a factor. Yesterday, the snow was solid and the trail history at <6,900' and I could not find dirt on the with my 80 cm ice axe. The north and east slopes of the higher peaks most likely will not clear until mid-June.
I've seen a bunch of trips canceled already this year by conditions.
The plus side of this is if you need to practice your ice axe and crampons skills you will have plenty of time do to so.
Be safe.
I've seen a bunch of trips canceled already this year by conditions.
The plus side of this is if you need to practice your ice axe and crampons skills you will have plenty of time do to so.
Be safe.