Big Draw to Jepson with a Calikocat
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:59 amHowdy All 
Jim (Calicokat) and I have been eyeing the Big Draw for several weeks. We went up on Monday. Made good time to Southfork meadows, then headed up the right side of Christmas tree hill. Snow was nice and firm -- we used microspikes. We passed the east shoulder of Charleton and made our way up and down the ridges and gullies of Moraine Land to the Jepson bowl. Donned crampons and axe and headed up.
Jim lead the way -- making nice steps for me. We made good time up to the right side of the cornice that always exists at the top of the Big Draw. Took off our crampons and donned microspikes before tagging the Jepson summit and enjoying lunch. Then, we headed along the ridge over to San Gorgonio. Although the forecast was for 10 mph winds, there was a steady wind of 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
Tagged San Gorgonio then headed down to find a good glissading spot. We downclimbed until we reached one of the snow tongues of the north chutes. Jim went first to check out the conditions and I followed. It was immediately noticeable that the snow was icy and unforgiving -- completely different from my two glissades last week. I went very slowly as I didn't like the conditions and my butt hurt from bouncing on the butt track.
When the incline decreased, we couldn't keep going. Walked down to the flat area and donned snowshoes, then headed back over the ridges and gullies to the cross country ski route to the east of Charleton. The snow was bad -- I broke through the icy crust several times into brush. Once we wound up on Christmas tree hill, it got worse. As Jim noted, he felt like we were negotiating land mines. We had to take off our snowshoes before reaching the trail and post holed our way back to the stream crossings. Ugh -- I hate having to work going down hill
It was great to finally be on Terra Firma -- we could actually walk normally back to Jim's truck. He headed home and I grabbed a delicous meal at the Oaks before following suit.
Hopefully, this system and the one predicted for Saturday will improve conditions so that we can enjoy a few more snow climbs.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Jim (Calicokat) and I have been eyeing the Big Draw for several weeks. We went up on Monday. Made good time to Southfork meadows, then headed up the right side of Christmas tree hill. Snow was nice and firm -- we used microspikes. We passed the east shoulder of Charleton and made our way up and down the ridges and gullies of Moraine Land to the Jepson bowl. Donned crampons and axe and headed up.
Jim lead the way -- making nice steps for me. We made good time up to the right side of the cornice that always exists at the top of the Big Draw. Took off our crampons and donned microspikes before tagging the Jepson summit and enjoying lunch. Then, we headed along the ridge over to San Gorgonio. Although the forecast was for 10 mph winds, there was a steady wind of 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
Tagged San Gorgonio then headed down to find a good glissading spot. We downclimbed until we reached one of the snow tongues of the north chutes. Jim went first to check out the conditions and I followed. It was immediately noticeable that the snow was icy and unforgiving -- completely different from my two glissades last week. I went very slowly as I didn't like the conditions and my butt hurt from bouncing on the butt track.
When the incline decreased, we couldn't keep going. Walked down to the flat area and donned snowshoes, then headed back over the ridges and gullies to the cross country ski route to the east of Charleton. The snow was bad -- I broke through the icy crust several times into brush. Once we wound up on Christmas tree hill, it got worse. As Jim noted, he felt like we were negotiating land mines. We had to take off our snowshoes before reaching the trail and post holed our way back to the stream crossings. Ugh -- I hate having to work going down hill
It was great to finally be on Terra Firma -- we could actually walk normally back to Jim's truck. He headed home and I grabbed a delicous meal at the Oaks before following suit.
Hopefully, this system and the one predicted for Saturday will improve conditions so that we can enjoy a few more snow climbs.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
I'm so accustomed to our Wednesday hikes that this week just didn't feel right.
