I have limited mountaineering experience but I do have rock climbing experience. I was looking for a good first mountaineering trip in the Sierra Nevada. I will be moving from Ohio to California in October and was interested in a hike late in the month of October or early November. Any information on the area would be great, including general weather around that time and what a good first trip could be. And if anyone was interested in joining me on the trip that would be great to.

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there could be snow late Oct or Nov.

if not, the Bear Creek Spire area cannot be beat. really beautiful and not a long hike, plenty of scenic lakes. do the North Arete on BCS if you are a solid trad 5.8 climber with some route finding skills. do the NE Ridge for more of a long scenic scramble (5.4 sections?)


check the weather and snow conditions before you head up


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Steve1215 thanks for the help. What kind of pro did you use for both the routes you are talking about? Any kind of prep before I go?

If the weather holds and no snow, here are two 14ers that easily accessible yet challenging Class 2ish:

Mount Tyndall NW Ridge

White Mountain

Mt Whitney dummy, think about it.

It depends on how far you want to hike and how high you want to go. It will be cold, especially at night, and it could also be sunny and comfortable during the day. Snow is a very real possibility. Temps change very fast out here so plan for both.

If you have never been to altitude maybe try something modest, such as Telescope Peak or a short one like Baden-Powell, and you will have an idea of what it feels like. They are at around 11k where O2 is noticeably scarce. They are also not in the Sierra but kinda close. Acclimating to altitude is key to enjoying the high peaks.

If you are driving from Ohio you could spend a night in Flagstaff and hike Mt Humphreys, which is 12,600. Highest peak in AZ and a good starting point as well.

Not only Whitney, but there are many 13ers around there and your options could be Mt Mallory or Lone Pine Peak. Mt Langley is easier than most other big peaks as well and is a 14er. Just expect long hikes mostly uphill and out of breath.

By most standards, these peaks are not really mountaineering though, depending on who you talk to, the route, and the conditions.

What about The Minarets? I haven't been there but based on what I've read, seems like a nice option. Many climbing routes in a small area ranging from class 3/4 to 5.2 to 5.6 and looks like a beautiful area.
http://www.summitpost.org/minarets/247994

dman wrote:Steve1215 thanks for the help. What kind of pro did you use for both the routes you are talking about? Any kind of prep before I go?

here is Steve Larson's page with gear info for North Arete, Bear Creek Spire

http://www.summitpost.org/north-arete/155836

I recall that small cams (1") were very useful on the first technical pitch--5.7

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Here is Craig Peer's page with gear info for NE Ridge of BCS

http://www.summitpost.org/northeast-ridge/157054

I have not done this popular route; I hear most people do it ropeless


VVVV

Prep? in late Oct I'd get on these routes at sunrise!


if heavy snow comes early I'm sure you would have a lot more fun waiting till Sept 2013 to do these routes


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Late October or early November? The Needles, or Domelands. Despite what most folks think, there is winter in California.

It will definitely depend on when the first big storm hits, but usually sometime by mid to late Oct there is a chance of getting a foot to several feet of snow. Also, what level of rock climbing experience do you have? A multi-pitch alpine route in the sierra can be a pretty brutal first trip if you are mostly experienced with crag climbing such as the Red River Gorge. A bit more info on your background would be helpful. Mt Goode out of South Lake is a nice 2/3 class dayhike, Thork Pk is another good entry level hike or has a few easier rock routes. If you are completely new to the Sierra and bigger mountains, you might just want to bag a few peaks before jumping on a rock climbing route to get a feel for how long things take and how the grade compares. A lot of people new to the Sierra are shocked by what is considered class 3 sometimes.

Where in California are you moving too ?

As above, snow could flumux the best laid plans. However, in addition to the especially good Rock Creek ideas, I would also add having a look at peaks out of Onion Valley. The drive up is easy, and you could start with Independence Peak to get your toe in the water. A shorter approach is almost impossible, and it does offer a little bit of easy 3rd class on the summit ridge (assuming standard route). You can have a leisurely, non-alpine start in the morning and still be back at your car before lunch. Slightly further afield is Gould, and if you're liking what you're getting in to, the more serious but highly recommended University Peak is right there. If you're comfortable, make it an overnighter, camp up around Gilbert or Bench Lake, scramble up Gould, consider University, or just keep going over Kearsarge Pass and enjoy the scenery. The additional benefit of any of these peaks out of Onion Valley for a newcomer to the Sierra is that if weather or other conditions get really uncomfortable, the retreat to your car is quick and easy.

Mtndonkey: Like you thought my climbing experience is primarily crag climbing at the Red. However, I have done treks like a three day winter trek in the grand canyon.

Palisides79: I will be moving to Santa Maria California.

3Deserts: I appreciate the feedback!

If snow does hit, would it still be possible to do a climb with snow shoes and crampons?

Actually White Moutain is class 1 and not challenging. If done from alternate routes I think not a great choice for a first CA climb.

The suggestions for things like Bear Creek Spire and Minarets are good ones.

nellis wrote:Actually White Moutain is class 1 and not challenging.

Obviously you have not done WM in early November.

The prevailing SW 60-80mph sustained winds w/avg day time temp of 20-30deg F at that time of the year, most certainly make it a pretty challenging venture. Of course I know absolutely nothing of WM. I just live beneath it and see it every morning first thing outta my kitchen window.

I would certainly not recommend any individual that has absolutely zero Sierra "Alpine" experience, on any Class 4+ climb, solo, for their first CA climb. Please refer to the current SAR thread for my reason/s.


Per the OP:

.... a hike late in the month of October or early November