Avalanche danger on Mt. Baldy

[freeflight]

Hi there,

I plan to hike Mt. Baldy this coming weekend after seeing the trip reports on the forum. The rain coming this weekend will probably wipe out considerate amount of snow. The ranger told me that there is still avalanche danger, either on the trial or off trail.

I have some experience using snow shoes/crampons/ice axes, but don't have avalanche trainings. If we go, we will probably go off trail, try to reach the summit via the big slope.

How would you rate the avalanche danger now? Is it low or moderate? Would you still go given the situation?

Thanks,

Kevin

[EnFuego]

I've been up Baldy several times in last 10 days. I'm sure there is "always" a chance of avalanche of some sort or another, but right now, there is very little chance in the bowl and surrounding areas. The only thing to really watch out for, is falling rock as the sun warms the slopes. I was at base of the bowl on Saturday showing a new climber basic crampon and ice techniques, and we watched as several basketball size rocks hurled past us.

So, whether you are on a steep slope or not, jsut keep your eyes and ears open for falling rock.

Have fun and be safe.

[freeflight]

En Fuego, thank you for sharing your experience.

I also read about the falling rocks, thus plan to start early and come down around noon to minimize the risk.

Did you hike the bowl directly or follow the trail? Do you recommend snow shoes?

I am trying to evaluate the snow/ice condition on the bowl. I am taking a climber friend without any ice/snow experience. We will take crampons and ice axes.

[EnFuego]

Freeflight - leave the snowshoes at home. On March 10, under a full moon, I did the bowl direct with crampons and ice axe.

Check out my TR and pics here on the San Gabriel Forum:

http://sangabrielmnts.myfreeforum.org/0 ... t1299.html

On Saturday, a friend and I left manker Flat at 6am, reached the hut about 7:30am, started ascending the western most part of the bowl about 8:30am. I was also teaching her axe and crampon use and technique. We then summited, and returned via the west ridge. Snow was softening, but still firm by 11:30am.

Here is the TR and pics from that trip:

http://sangabrielmnts.myfreeforum.org/P ... t1311.html

If you wanna know anything about the San Gabriel Mtns, check out the San Gabriel board. It's got a great amount of information.

Good luck. Maybe I'll see you up there. When you heading up?

[freeflight]

En Fuego, great trip reports and website. I registered and wait for the approval.

Thanks for the tip on timing. We will try to follow your schedule from the past week. So we will start from Manker Flat around 6:00AM Saturday.
Maybe we will meet you up there.

My friend doesn't have any snow/ice experience. So we probably won't try what you and Zach did, which is quite steep near the top. We will try to follow what you and liz did in the 2nd report. My plan is to travel on the bowl, but stay near the ski hut trail. So if we don't feel comfortable, we can transverse to the trail.