C2C in the snow 11/5/11

[eric1234]

On 11/5/11 I left with a group of people at 3:55am to hike C2C after the big snowstorm the previous day. Temperature at the trailhead was somewhere in the mid 40s. The route was surprisingly busy. There was a small group ahead of us, a few solo climbers, and when I got to 3,000ft it looked like there were lights from a big group of what looked like 15-20 people coming up from the trailhead. At 2,000ft me and 4 others broke apart from the rest of our group and took the lead.








San Gorgonio in the morning light










view towards Coffmans Crag
















































snow level was around 6,000ft




























































Coffmans Crag










We got to Long Valley at 10:15am. There was 5 inches of snow on the ground. I finally decided I felt cold in my T shirt and decided to put on a jacket.


We walked up into the tram station to get water and wait for the rest of our group, but after 45 minutes no one came and we decided to go. Jeff decided to stay back so the remaining four of us went for the peak.






view towards Cornell Peak


We stopped at the shelter to put on extra layers before scrambling up to the summit


The summit was at a chilly 20 degrees with 15-20mph winds. The other 3 people with me descended after 15 minutes. I couldnt resist the view and decided to wait for the rest of the group to get here. After 35 minutes on the summit the group arrived.




















































































We took a shortcut going back to the tram with not much daylight left. We took it slow at the the last bit which was a little sketchy scrambling without crampons over icy boulders.

We reached the tram station 20 minutes after sunset. This has been my 5th and favorite C2C!

[Ellen]

Howdy Eric

Absolutely gorgeous pictures, thanks I'm still kicking myself for not bringing my camera that day. It was a pretty special C2C.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sally]

Those are some nice pictures, Eric. I especially like the ones looking down at the clouds with glowing bodies of water peeking through.

All of you that were able to be up on the mountain that day were sure lucky. I should have ditched work!

[Cy Kaicener]

Thanks for sharing some great pictures Eric. you made excellent time considering you had snow to plod through. I guess you had to move fast to keep warm.

[PatrickSupra]

Awesome pictures Eric. I'm bummed I didn't make it up that weekend. The pictures above the cloud coverage are incredible.

[Andy]

Fantastic pics Eric! Thank you for the TR.

[lesper4]

Thanks for all the amazing pictures!

[lilbitmo]

Amazing pictures, they cry out for more fun winter stuff to come, thanks for that.

[bluerail]

Amazing pictures Eric, it truly wad a special day to be up there, we were doing another approach on SJ and our ridge was in and out of clouds all day...great day and great pics.