Baldy Climb Saturday 1/30/10

[rbracci]

Anybody planning on climbing Baldy tomorrow? I'm looking for some company.

[climberslacker]

i would go, but havn't been up there ever and the snow probably isn't consolidated enough for crampons wich i would prefer.

-CS

[rbracci]

This will be my first time too. It hasn't snowed since Tuesday so I'd image that we wouldn't be braking trail. It's a very actively hiked mountain.

Maybe some who's been up in the last couple of days could comment. Anyone?

I plan on trying to start hiking at 7:30AM tomorrow from Manker Flats.

[lilbitmo]

I know of at least two people that went up "Manker/Wanker" Flats (main trail today) to assess the bowl and decide which way they would do the climb.

There will be a report on that hike by tonight on the San Gabriel Board - do you have access over on that board?

http://sangabrielmnts.myfreeforum.org/

[Dave G]

I went up yesterday under very windy conditions. There is good track to the ski hut and through the trees on the left side. The bowl was in nice shape for cramponing as of 10a, but as the day goes on, things soften up. Norma R went up this morning intending to climb the bowl, so maybe she'll post up tonight. I took my kids up to Manker this morning for some sledding and it was much nicer today--high clouds and little or no wind.

[rbracci]

Thanks lilbitmo, I do have access to the San Gabe board. I'll check it out.

If anyone wants to join me tomorrow let me know.

[NormaR]

Hi! i did Baldy today. the snow is in much better condtion than it was on Monday. firming up nicely. we went up a chute in the middle of the bowl and had lots of mixed conditions, from soft snow, to firm pack to very deep and some ice here and there and perfect neve snow at the top. the summit is amazing! a huge plateau of snow! crampons and ice axe mandatory. no need for snowshoes anymore.

coming down the right side (east) of the bowl it started off with great powder, to somtimes very firm, to soft loose snow. the three of us each had a slip in the soft loose snow that required a self-arrest.

i talked to a skier that said he felt the top was too hard pack for him and side slipped the top till it softened up a bit.

all in all it was a PERFECT day! but, PLEASE WEAR A HELMET! there is still rime ice on the trees, especially from the hut up. we saw a skier at the hut that was gearing up to go without a helmet. he took off for the bowl and within moments HUGE pieces of riime ice fell from the tree he was standing under.