New to the forum and hiking - Seeking advice

[Vnthali]

Hello all. My interest in hiking was sparked almost two years ago when I started walking up and down some of the hills around my home as something new to include in my personal exercise program. A good friend of mine introduced me to Mt San Jacinto in January of this year when we took the tram for a summit attempt. A combination of snow and inadequate gear had us turning around at Wellman’s Divide. Lessons learned: 1) Gore-Tex boots a must and 2) Avoid cotton clothing. Still, it was a good day.

In February we went back with better gear in even worse weather. It was a lot colder, the snow was deeper, it was windy – hell it was a blizzard. The ranger let us go with a prediction that we’d be back in a couple of hours. We snow-shoed to Round Valley and made the collective decision to turn around before our Darwin Award rating got any higher. Lessons learned: 1) I still remember how to snow shoe and 2) water / windproof gloves are a must-have item. My hands were sore for a couple of days because of my poor choice of gloves. Still, it was a good day.

Our most recent hike on San Jacinto took place this past Monday (21 Dec). We set out at 10AM from the Long Valley Ranger Station with a goal of reaching the summit by 2PM. By 2:30PM we had reached an elevation of just over 10000 feet. With just over two hours until sunset, we made the decision to forego our summit attempt and start back down. I was standing on a pretty steep slope about 20 feet above a big tree on what was essentially a sheet of ice. As I turned, I failed to properly set my feet and I fell onto my side. The only things keeping me from sliding into the big tree were the two heel spikes on my left boot’s crampon.

It would be less than honest of me to say I had anything under control at this point. My hiking partner asked me if I was ok. I told him I wasn’t injured. We talked about what I needed to do to get out of my predicament. Rolling over on my side, I set the pick of my axe into the ice as an anchor. Holding onto the axe with both hands, I rolled onto my stomach and buried the toe points of both crampons into the ice. Once in this position I was able to crab my way across the ice to firmer ground. The remainder of our hike back down the mountain was uneventful. Lessons learned: Always be conscious of the ground you’re standing on / respect established timelines (we made it back just as it got dark) / always carry an ice axe and get some safe practice using it to self-arrest / self rescue. Despite missing the peak again, it was still a good day.

I am open to any and all advice and constructive criticism. My plan is to make another run from the tram to the summit next month (weather permitting). I want my first successful summit to be in the snow / winter conditions. Thanks in advance for any and all replies and for allowing me to join this forum.
S/F

[EMan]

From your post, it appears that the school of hard knocks has been kind to you thus far!

Although it looks like you made some good conscious decisions once on the hill -- like turning around -- you weren't fully ready (or sufficiently practiced) for the conditions you encountered.

Now I am no one to preach -- and I won't.
But to survive and enjoy the wintertime at altitude takes more than a game attitude.
It takes preparedness.

If you broke your leg, could you have survived the night?

[halhiker]

One way to avoid some of the mistakes you've made is to learn some things before venturing out. The best reference that I know of is Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills. It's in its 7th edition--8 is probably coming soon--and is a great read. It starts out with hiking info and moves on to serious mountaineering and rock climbing info.

Now, I'm not saying that reading a book is any substitute for experience or training but it's a good place to start.

You can probably find it at the library or any outdoor store.

[Vnthali]

Point taken EMan. I've made it a goal wherever possible to improve upon the gear I've brought with me in the field on every trip. I try to plan these trips out in detail (navigation, gear, & timeline). I use a written gear list to verify I have everything I plan on taking with me. Even though I only expect to be hiking in and out I do bring gear to stay overnight, if the need arises. I have my gear list from the most recent hike. If appropriate, would you mind taking a look at it and telling me what I could add / subtract? Again, thank-you for your help.

[Vnthali]

Thanks halhiker. I'm alwys on the lookout for good reference books.

[neverwashasbeen]

My advice, since you've ruled out other seasons and are set on a summit attempt. Plan a two day trip. Go up tram early, hike to Round Valley and set up camp. While close to camp, experiment with your gear to make sure it does what you need it to do and that you know how to use it. If you have problems, you can be back down to the tram before it closes for the night. The next day, go for the top and then back out to the tram.