Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Message Board Group Hike - Saturday, September 15

Bob, a few years ago you mentioned a little climbed peak north of Whitney where you said that the last time you had climbed it you saw Norman Clyde's signature in the register and not too many names after his. The peak wasn't given a name just a numerical alititude notation on the maps. I don't remember if you said it was the peak that is just north of Mt. Carillon and parallel with the center of Lake Tulainyo or if it was the peak that is just west of Mt. Russell looking over Arctic Lake.
Regardless, what would it be like to climb one of these two peaks? Would it be too much for one day? The peak north of Mt. Carillon looks like it would be a straight shot up through the North Fork.

Thor peak sounds like a great idea- a little intro to the MR for those who have not been that way and not too tough for those not up for the full gruel to the top of Whitney via the MR. We have gotten permits for day hikes up the North Fork several times this year and they are so easy-call the ranger station and they will put it in the night box-no charge. We have a three day trip planned up the MR that week-end so maybe will run into you all on the trail.
BBINSD

I'd really like to be in on this.It's something I've been wanting to do for some time.Plus meeting a number of you and hiking would be a blast.And do a little warm up the day before.

Thor

I'm going up July 16, I should be recovered enough after that for another little something after Labor Day. Count me in

Stryder, that is Peak 13,920+, a half mile west of the summit of Mt. Russell. It is of more than passing interest, as you can read here. The little register with Clyde's name (several times) is gone. From the south it is class 3 except for a short section of 5th to surmount the ridge between it and Mt. Russell. If you can climb Russell or the MR in a day, you can do this one in a day.

The mountain north of Mt. Carillon is The Cleaver. The only route I know about that has a direct approach from the North Fork is via the valley north of LBSL and east of Carillon. It's a significant rock climb: about 5.8, as I recall. However, The Cleaver is 3rd class from the Tulainyo Lake side if you select your route carefully; otherwise class 4. Since you have to go over either Russell-Carillon Pass or Carillon-Cleaver / Suicide Col (and back), it's a tougher day climb than Russell or Whitney.

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My brother-in-law is flying in from Houston today, and tomorrow (Sunday) we will be climbing the Smiley Face route on Thor. If anyone wants to tag along on their own permit, we plan to show up at the ranger station at 8:00 and start out from the Portal around 9:00.

Bob thanks for the reply and the link to the older thread. I didn't know the history around renaming the peak after Carl Heller. Very interesting.

So, it seems like a day hike to Peak 13,920 might be on the side of a bit too much for an entire group?

Great idea Paul, and Thor sounds like the perfect destination for a first Sierra group hike. Count me in.

Cheers Phil

I'm going to try to make this one. RE: the service issue, this takes a lot of time. Not to be discouraging, but you should understand that. My experience is that the FS expects that if they are issuing administrative permits, the primary purpose is the service, not the destination.

This last week, I was volunteering on the Sierra NF, rangering and trail working. One day I was out by myself for about 8 hours, doing treadwork restoration, and I made it just about a mile, and it seemed like a long walk at the end of that day.

By the way, on another day I rode a horse about 20 miles with a packer, as we cut logs on trails. Where we stopped for lunch, we had an interesting view of the west side of the Minarets and other mountains. The packer mentioned that the mountain in front of us was the one proposed to be named after Orland Bartholemew, a peak I've desired to see for some time, and which I did not know could be seen from a trail. A shame that effort failed, but a thrill to see.

This sounds like fun,i'm in.I guess i'll just make sure to stay tuned as not to miss it.AD

Thor peak with message board friends....very tempting...any route.

Thor sounds wonderful - a great scenic choice! Count me in for this one!!

Doug F.

this sounds like a great opportunity to meet some of the people whose posts I have been reading but have not met - and to those I have met a good opportunity to see friends again. I hope I can fit this in for September. I think those summit blocks just may get a little crowded.

Oh man! Cant tell you how much I'd like to meet you all but won't be able to this Sept. Going elk hunting in Montana and hopefully some backpacking in Glacier if we tag out early. Hope you guys have a great time and that I get to join you on the next one. Winter anyone???

Kashcraft, hope you can attend. There are several board members that I have followed over the years and you are one of them. I look forward to meeting you.

Ok, here is what we have:

- the climb will take place on Saturday, September 15th
- we meet at the trail head (Bob suggests an 8am start)
- we will ascend the NF and then Bob's smiley face route
- decent to be determined on the day of the hike (?)

Note:
- permits.... at this point, each hiker responsible for obtaining his/her permit (as we approach the date, maybe some hikers who arrive early can get a permit for several people, but we'll need to see how many board members signup
- all hikers to be self sufficient

Kashcraft, Bob, has made some really good suggestions on the route up Thor, and back down.... I'll defer to Bob and his wisdom.

Ken, the service work was more of an afterthought, not the primary purpose of the trip. I didn't anticipate seeking the Forest Service involvement unless someone else on the trip would like to explore that possibility. The thinking was that on our return after climbing Thor, we, as a group, could spend 30 minutes or (?) on cleaning an area. For example, if we decend via Lower Boy Scout Lake, we could pick up trash around that area.

Kashcraft/Ken your thoughts?

Paul

This sounds good!

A good workable plan.

I was on one of the group hikes to Mt. Baldy.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2208046450061435028cSlceP

All we need now is a cool picture like this on the top of Thor Peak.

The only sad part about this hike is that the Portal Store with Doug's great pancakes does not open until 8am in September. It actually would have been a great start to the trip.

I am assuming that Chris (BeachAV8r)will bring McDonald's egg and sausages for hiking.

Paul

Sounds like a plan. It will be great to meet many of the folks on the board.
Adam

It is looking like I might be able to squeak out there for this trip. Tough to say precisely right now..but I might be able to take a personal day off and tack that on to a few other days... If so..yeah..I'll pick up some McDonald's on the way up..

Chris

I would like to meet you all some time, but I am signed up for an annual conference that weekend. Just out of curiosity, how much tougher is your route than the top of Mt. Dana (which is Class 2)?