Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Winter Access Forum Snow for end-2006

Hi,
Just wanted to start a topic for those who are starting to see snow in the next month or so in the Whitney/Russell area. Please let us know when snow finally does come to this area! I would say mid-November is when there's a good amount of snow? That's when the fun starts.
Thanks.
Tauru

These late-summer/fall trips that I've been doing out to the Sierra have essentially been recon missions to find out what will be skiable come winter/spring.

Lone Pine and Agassiz would definitely be fun under the right conditions.

Morgenson would be a good one (from the summit) for someone who likes a little air time. While I was on top, I noticed that there is a chute that drops off of the "north" side that would make it possible for someone with the right skills to ski directly off of the summit.

Adding a couple more comments about winter fun:

Both the "north" and "south" sides of the Russell/Carillon Pass would be fun ski runs. Can you imagine ending your run out on Tulainyou Lake?

There's probably a high likelihood that Morgenson would be a first descent.

Where is Morgenson?

I'm not a skier but do love the snow for some mountain climbing fun. Hope snow level is down to at least UBSL by T-giving. LBSL is even better!

Mt. Morgensen links:

<a href=/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005219>Mt. Morgenson - September 27, 2006</a>

<a href=http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005193>Around Whitney - September 19-20, 2006</a>

Richard,

Great shots of the North faces of Russell and Whitney. I have been searching the web for pics of the North and Northwest faces of Russsell and this was my first look at Russell's Northwest face. I hope to get a closer look this Winter.

I didn't see a shot of the chute off of the summit of Morgenson you mentioned. Would that be due West of the rib you were on for your ascent? It was hard to tell, but, from your third pic it looks like you're talking about a cliff huck from the summit to start the ski run. Better crank up those DIN settings.

-Bill

Bill, it was to the "west." When I was on the summit, I looked down towards Whitney and was certain that it'd be difficult technical climbing on that side. On the opposite side, there appeared to be an alternate climbing route that I think would be class 3.

In order to ski it, you'd definitely have to be able to control what would essentially be a free fall for about 150'. (WAG - it is real steep and narrow for quite a ways before the angle eases.) As you can see from the later photos from below the mountain, the rest of the terrain would be fairly easy.