Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trip reports - Thor Peak Friday 10-16-2009

Opening new thread for Friday trip reports, updates and pictures.
Expecting trip reports and pictures to come cycling in throughout the day.

I think this was the only Thor trip on Friday.

The background is that I could not make Saturday's climb, so planned to go up on Friday alone. When Steve C learned of that, he decided to join me. Then Ilene Ashcraft said she also was not available on Saturday, but Friday worked. Finally, a few others heard about it, and when the smoke cleared, we had a pretty large party!

• Steve C
• Ilene Ashcraft
• Tiffany Ashcraft
• Jonathan Ashcraft
• Nathaniel Ashcraft
• Jessica Ashcraft Preble
• Juston Preble
• Richard Ashcraft
• Austin Ashcraft
• Jay D
• Bee
• Jeff M
• markjwpcp
• wagga
• Moosetracks
• Paul DeRuiter
• me

SanDi Carole, M. Mouse, and Moosetrack's friend Sean would join us for part of the hike. I wore my INF regalia to reduce the load on the permit, which, as you will see from picture #58, paid off.

We hit snow on the trail below Lone Pine Lake, but it was nicely compacted by Mt. Whitney hikers of that day and the day before. At Mirror Lake, we left the trail and circled around to the right. Ascended around 300 - 400 feet, and checked our watches. There were two choices: (1) continue to the summit and get out around dark, or (2) turn around now and make it back to the Portal for burgers and beer. We opted for (2), and ended up with 10 minutes to spare.

I was surprised at the amount of snow that was left from Tuesday's storm. I had thought that most of it on south-facing slopes would have melted from the warm temperatures since then, but there was quite a lot left.

Spent an hour or so socializing with early main crowd arrivals at the hostel, then left for home.

Pictures here

What a great trip! To me, this embodies the very best of a climbing trip: an interesting and diverse group with great spirit, for whom summitting is a minor issue.

I think we all can get so caught up in summit fever, that we easily lose sight of the fact that the interactions with a bunch of folks will be the things remembered, and treasured.

To Bob R.

Thank you so much for posting all your adventures, I can never get out as much as I want to however I feel I get to share vicariously in yours. Thank you.

Bob does always seem to get the girls...



Rest of the pics from Friday's hike.

A taste of what's to come when the photos from the Memorial Climb are uploaded...


Looking down the summit slopes of Thor Peak.



Looking up towards the summit with LOADS of untracked snow.

I don't think I've ever gotten in a "winter" climb this early in the year!



I had the pleasure of running in to four of the Ashcraft clan at the start of my climb and took a photo as they were heading down the slabs on the "old" trail. (No Fear...)



With the conditions as they were, I thought only a few truly hardy souls would make the summit of Thor Peak on Saturday. I am so glad to have been so wrong... 33 climbers would make the summit on Saturday afternoon for the Dr. Kent Ashcraft Memorial. Awesome!!!!!


The rest of the photos.

Thank you,Bob for an amazingly enjoyable trip to where Kent had fallen up the chute of Thors. I can see why you were an inspiration to Kent. You seemed quite professional in your ranger attire and cordial in allowing breaks along the way, for those who needed it. It gave us time to get to know each other a little better. One could not ask for better weather, sleeping out under the stars without the summer mosquitos and all - we should camp out more this time of year.
(Are you the one who brought everyone together? or was it _____?)
Thank you for the pictures. We will be for ever indebted for your kindness in putting this together.
Sincerely,
Ilene Ashcraft (kentswife@hotmail.com)

Richard P,
Sorry we missed seeing you on the Friday Hike. Thank you for dedicating your day in memory of Kent, my beloved husband. It really means a lot to us. My daughter, Jessica and her husband, Juston drove clear from Rexburg Idaho, stopped and picked up Kent's brother, Richard in Highland Utah and met us in the Alabama Hills. Hiked on Friday to the lower chute of Thors, where Kent fell, then they drove back up to Utah. A Long drive, but well worth it.Being able to come, visit with those who knew kent or of kent from the message board - it was amazing the sincerity these mountaineers have for each other. Thank you for being an influence on Kent. Thanks for the pic's
Sincerely,
Ilene Ashcraft, kentswife@hotmail.com

Thanks to all who made Friday a thoughtful and rewarding outing to pay honor to a fellow climber. The Ashcrafts are truly remarkable for their strength, courage and spirit. I felt very fortunate to be a part of the memorial.



More photos are here

It was an honor to accompany Ilene and her family back to Kent's memorial site.

Here's Ilene reading messages about Kent.


Hikers remembering and honoring...


The family then returned to their camp site -- some had a long drive all the way to Idaho. Nine of us continued on to Mirror Lake, before yielding to the call of the WPS burgers.

It was a beautiful day.

A few more pictures here.

thanks. priceless pictures.