Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Russell-Carillon Plateau

Is there a preferred way to slog up to the Russell-Carillon plateau and saddle from the North Fork of lone pine creek?

The slog starts on the northwest slope above Clyde Meadow, or follow the creek past UBSL towards the end of the canyon. Once at the Southeast Face of Mt. Russell, head north up a talus slope to a wide chute that leads diagonally right to the pass.

When I was looking at the slope from Upper Boyscout it looked like it was all pretty loose scree. Is that about right? Or was I looking at the long area?

Stop in and talk to Doug Sr. There's a much less painful way to get up to the saddle from around the slabs area (below Clyde Meadow).

If you want to go the standard route, just look for the grooves in the sand, heading up, as you pass above Clyde Meadow on the MR. It's a true classic PITA!

Boots pointed up, head down, scream and curse at losing 1 step for every 2.

There is actually a fairly obvious use trail for the lower section out of Clyde Meadow, and you'll find cairns/ducks all over the place up in there. Once you enter the main "chute" or face, it's just pick your poison. Watch/call the rockfall if there is more than one person.

It's actually not that bad... in a sick, twisted, painful sort of way...

-L

Yeah, I've heard of the route out of Clyde Meadow (and can see it in a photo I took from Thor Peak back in June), and one at the end of the canyon leading up to the southeast face of russell above UBSL. I have a north fork permit for the 26 and 27, and will probably camp at LBSL. I know I should do Whitney, but dang if the pictures and descriptions of russell don't look like way more fun. I'd be willing to crawl across the hairy sections. Problem is I'm alone, and if anything goes wrong there may be a soul or two on the MR, but probably not on russell.

I'll play it by ear and see how I feel when I get there.

If Doug is at the hostel sat. night, I'll ask him about his secret route.

Thanks