OK, ok already. I know it's not "Whitney Specific" but things seemed a little slow and now that the mountains are right at my front door...
I headed up to South Lake again to take care of a little unfinished business from this past summer. After Mike and I had climbed Agassiz, we had saved Hurd and Chocolate Peaks for Sunday before heading out. Due to some, well, misinterpreted beta, we had climbed the South Face of Hurd Peak, only to be stopped by a lovely ridge that was definitely above my abilities. I headed back down, Mike gave it three (??) more tries up various chutes and didn't quite make it.
The South Ridge that thwarted us last summer (from the summit):
So with the weather holding, and the snow being light I took a lovely jaunt up to Long Lake, then up the slabs and chutes to the summit. It was a gloriously sunny day with a cold breeze: I had to keep reminding myself it IS late November, after all. The snow conditions were about the same as last week on Vagabond: light and fluffy with no grip whatsoever. I've never actually been happier to see
scree because it actually held more traction than the snow!
The descent was fairly tricky again, and luckily the snow was dry enough that my rear end didn't get wet from the sliding. The slabs just above Long Lake were the opposite of fun. I really wouldn't recommend playing on them at the moment.
But all in all, a great way to fire up the metabolism to gorge on dinner! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Pics are here. -L
I was just at the Kearsarge Pass area this past weekend, and on Monday the ice was starting to set up. Dicey time of year for footing!
i want my money back.....i knew there arent moose in the sierra !!
