Additional Beta to Gaining the Ridge from Yang Yang Lakes
We attempted the Ptarmigan Traverse on 8/19 - 8/23 2016. We made it to the LeConte Glacier where we encountered more ice than planned for and incoming weather. Overall the Summitpost beta was excellent, but one area could use improvement:
Gaining the ridge out of Yang Yang lakes was not straightforward. The posted Beta indicates:
"From Yang Yang Lakes ascend SSW to a low part of the crest, a little steep to attain, but once on top, you'll find it broad and easy at 6500 feet."
This lead us to climb a loose and sketchy gully. On our return trip we found a much better route:
From Yang Yang lakes ascend SSW along a large talus field looking for cairns, when you see the first cairn look left and find a rising traverse across the talus to a forested section of the ridge with a indistinct trail that looks impossibly steep. Ascend this trail (cairned along the way) to the low part of the crest. Once on top you'll find it broad and easy at 6500 feet. Unless you have significant snow cover avoid the obvious gully which is steep and loose. For more details see the image attached to this page or linked below: Route to Gain Ridge Above Yang Yang Lakes
AlpinWeiss - Aug 31, 2016 1:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Additional Beta to Gaining the Ridge from Yang Yang LakesWe attempted the Ptarmigan Traverse on 8/19 - 8/23 2016. We made it to the LeConte Glacier where we encountered more ice than planned for and incoming weather. Overall the Summitpost beta was excellent, but one area could use improvement:
Gaining the ridge out of Yang Yang lakes was not straightforward. The posted Beta indicates:
"From Yang Yang Lakes ascend SSW to a low part of the crest, a little steep to attain, but once on top, you'll find it broad and easy at 6500 feet."
This lead us to climb a loose and sketchy gully. On our return trip we found a much better route:
From Yang Yang lakes ascend SSW along a large talus field looking for cairns, when you see the first cairn look left and find a rising traverse across the talus to a forested section of the ridge with a indistinct trail that looks impossibly steep. Ascend this trail (cairned along the way) to the low part of the crest. Once on top you'll find it broad and easy at 6500 feet. Unless you have significant snow cover avoid the obvious gully which is steep and loose. For more details see the image attached to this page or linked below:
Route to Gain Ridge Above Yang Yang Lakes