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I headed up to the Shepherd Pass area on Friday with a couple of friends. We were hoping to summit both Williamson and Tyndall the following days but we were greeted by high winds. So we decided to camp just below the pass Friday night and just above the Pothole area to avoid the perhaps even windier area above the Pass. That night the winds continued though and we decided to not try and go up the Pass on Saturday. Instead, we headed up to Mt. Keith on Saturday as a conditions check. We were successful with our Mt. Keith summit and figured that we would give Tyndall or Willy a go on Sunday. But that night the winds increased in strength and intensity. So much so that my Black Diamond Eldorado expedition tent got ripped from the ground and launched several hundred feet in the air by a huge gust of wind. Along with a bunch of gear inside the tent that was lost as well. A few items were retrieved but we were unable to locate some key items.

1 - Mountain Hardwear 0 degree Phantom Sleeping Bag
1 - Neo Air Mat (by Thermarest)
1 - Black closed cell foam mat (brand unknown)
1 - Lowa Mountain Expert GTX boot (red in color and for the right foot)
1 - Beige OR Hat

There were a couple of other smaller items like a stuff sack and socks etc. but not worth mentioning.

So, if anyone happens to be up in the Shepherd Pass area in the coming weeks (months) and comes across any of these items please let me know. We were able to retrieve some stuff and it was all found just above the Pothole area. We're figuring that the tent debris, sleeping bag and mats are much further down the gully as the debris was seen several hundred feet in the air and traveling at a very fast rate down the gully.

Thanks everyone!

-Ryan

Wow! I am headed up to that area on the 11th, I will keep an eye out for your stuff. Other than the insane wind, how was the Sheperads Pass trail? Where did the snow start? Any other info on the current conditions in the area. Thanks!

There is still lots of snow in the Shepherd Pass area. It's starts just below the Anvil Camp area but there are even large patches of on the switchbacks going up to the first saddle.


Here is the snow on the switchbacks heading up to the first saddle.


This is just below Anvil Camp, the slope heading up to the camp, and the snow gets thick here.


Crossing over a large field. Slightly higher now.


This is just below the pass. Still some rocks but mostly large snow fields past this.


Here is the coulior heading up to Mt. Keith.


Here is the view from the top of Mt. Keith. Looking towards the pass with Mt. Tyndall in view. As you can see there is still lots of snow up there.

Have a good trip and thanks for keeping an eye out for my gear.

-Ryan

Sorry to hear about your lost gear. What a drag! I take it the boot owner had other footwear for descent?
Thanks for the photos and update on the conditions in the Shepherd Pass area. I won't be up that way until July, but I'll keep an eye out for any gear. (Not that I would expect anything to last that long in that kind of exposure.)