snow camping San J - advice needed

[EMan]

There have been I believe 5 slides down Baldy Bowl to date this season.
The 1st time you even think about needing 'pons, put 'em on. And take out the ax if you don't have a BD Whippet....

You ought to have a fab time. Although you can do it in 2 comfortably since the distance and elevation change isn't great, savor the moment and enjoy the mountain.

[SoCalJim]

Whippets are designed for ski mountaineering, basically as a last resort to save your ass if you fall. If you're using crampons, you should have an axe. I doubt if you'd find many mountaineers who disagree.

[Ryan]

Hello everyone..

I am sort of a winter camping novice. I took a class at Cal State on Winter Mountaineering and gained some experience from that class in Mammoth last
winter. I wanted to x country ski into Round Valley campground hopefully sometime next week with my friend (an eagle scout for what that's worth). I only plan to stay one night probably to start and I don't plan on conquering any peaks this time around. I don't have a death wish and I am respectful of mother nature. Is anyone from this board planning any similar trips in the near future? Do you have any advice for me or anything I should know about? Thanks.

Ryan

[Lcpl Hughes]

Hello everyone..

I am sort of a winter camping novice. I took a class at Cal State on Winter Mountaineering and gained some experience from that class in Mammoth last
winter. I wanted to x country ski into Round Valley campground hopefully sometime next week with my friend (an eagle scout for what that's worth). I only plan to stay one night probably to start and I don't plan on conquering any peaks this time around. I don't have a death wish and I am respectful of mother nature. Is anyone from this board planning any similar trips in the near future? Do you have any advice for me or anything I should know about? Thanks.

Ryan

I am planning a trip pretty soon myself to camp at Round Valley

[EMan]

SoCalJim made a great point. Whippets are no substitute for an ax and I surely did not wish to give that impression!


I was referring to the occassional sketchy sections where most folks would still have their ax attached to their pack.