Duane and I climbed Hayford for our ninth Ultra prominence peak in nine days. We started up the draw from the cabin, but quickly tired of this and headed up to the ridge west of the draw. There we found a cairned use trail that led to Hayford's SW ridge. On the west face we skirted the rock outcrops on the left, staying close to the base of the rocks. Nice cool day, even on the descent. Found a flat tire on the rental on our return to the TH. Happily it was a nail instead of a rock, so it was fixable!
Route Climbed: standard - Deadman Cyn to SW Ridge Date Climbed: April 9, 2005
A surprise storm during the previous night blanketed the mountain and surrounding desert with snow down to around 4500 feet. The mountain was still socked in by storm clouds when we rolled up to the trailhead.
A pretty tough dayhike, considering all the old (& new) snow on the ground, the constant winds (particularly on the SW ridge), the low visibility minorly hampering our route-finding, the hard pellets of snow pelting our faces as it blew at us, and the f'in unexpected spring cold. After full conditions for much of the upper route, the snow and wind stopped and the clouds parted briefly as we took our last few steps to the summit. The partial views were great.
A little icy on the SW ridge in places, particularly on the steeper portions (of course). Ice axes were essential; crampons would have been nice, but...
Thanks to my partners Mike and Dean for the extra clothes.
SusanM - Jul 24, 2005 7:41 pm
Route Climbed: Deadman Canyon Date Climbed: May 16, 2004Very hot, several members of our group ran out of water. Luckily I carried extra for training purposes. They don't tease me so much anymore.
Bob Bolton - Jun 7, 2005 2:38 am
Route Climbed: Deadman Canyon to SW RidgeDuane and I climbed Hayford for our ninth Ultra prominence peak in nine days. We started up the draw from the cabin, but quickly tired of this and headed up to the ridge west of the draw. There we found a cairned use trail that led to Hayford's SW ridge. On the west face we skirted the rock outcrops on the left, staying close to the base of the rocks. Nice cool day, even on the descent. Found a flat tire on the rental on our return to the TH. Happily it was a nail instead of a rock, so it was fixable!
cp0915 - Apr 11, 2005 2:08 pm
Route Climbed: standard - Deadman Cyn to SW Ridge Date Climbed: April 9, 2005A surprise storm during the previous night blanketed the mountain and surrounding desert with snow down to around 4500 feet. The mountain was still socked in by storm clouds when we rolled up to the trailhead.
A pretty tough dayhike, considering all the old (& new) snow on the ground, the constant winds (particularly on the SW ridge), the low visibility minorly hampering our route-finding, the hard pellets of snow pelting our faces as it blew at us, and the f'in unexpected spring cold. After full conditions for much of the upper route, the snow and wind stopped and the clouds parted briefly as we took our last few steps to the summit. The partial views were great.
A little icy on the SW ridge in places, particularly on the steeper portions (of course). Ice axes were essential; crampons would have been nice, but...
Thanks to my partners Mike and Dean for the extra clothes.