by guest » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:39 am
Hi friends,
Interesting posts here. Ed, your story of the N Face / Snow Creek is crazy, especially descending, as are your Sierra adventures. When I climbed it, we got w/ in a 200-300 vertical feet from the summit, and were up to our waists, and were going to have to make a small traverse on hard-packed ice, that may give way, so the lead guy, (Carl Garchinski, who has climbed it over 20 times way back), decided we needed to down climb and head over to another area. That was very scary, as we were knocking much snow down on our buds below us, were freezing, tired, but made it.
Yes, back then, we could get permission to cross DWA's land, or just risk Woody the caretakers dogs hearing or smelling us, (before camera's, trip-beams etc.). My friend who lives in Snow Creek & works for BLM, along w others were finally able to get DWA to install that fountain as you hit the dirt single-track, off he paved road. As many know, it's a long 15-20 mile slough off that mt. (heading north), from Fuller Ridge, and many run out of water on hotter days. Many actually camp overnight there now, because of the water, and fairly flat spots.
Would like to know what the fire investigators concluded re. the dwa truck & cause of fire. I heard several large explosions, (turned out to be the heavy-duty tires exploding, including the spare), ran out to see the truck engulfed, and the dry brush igniting. The afternoon winds had just begun, and the fire spread approx. 5-10 mph, luckily, due south, away from village, (until later & into the evening, when winds shifted). Fire crews & all personnel did an outstanding job, and if not for the helo's, lots more would have burned. They wanted us to evacuate, but I had 2 big fire engines parked in my driveway, so I stayed! The ponds on the Agua Caleinte's land, behind the rest area off the 10, really helped, as it allowed for 5 min. turns for water. Luckily, they only used phos-chek on the slopes to the south by Blaisdell Canyon area.
Ellen, I'm so impressed your hitting Skyline as always, along w your studly friends! I know Doug McK is hitting it a lot, after a hip replacement, including Rabbit peak! Wonder if Diana is still zooming up? Your TR are helping others make hopefully, good decisions re. attempting it. Looks like the wx window will be extended for now, as night temps are still hitting the 60's.
Btw, there's been a good amount of thru-hikers coming through, according to my friend in Snow Creek. May be a good year to not hit tons of snow & ice further north. Not sure what the snow & ice conditions are way up on the mt. and north face. Cheers, scott