Re: Eastern Sierra snow condition updates?
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:44 pmJune 29 I ascended New Army Pass, summitted Mount Langely and descended Old Army Pass.
New Army Pass is clear. There is a cornice at the top but it is easily passable on the trail.
Old Army Pass has a number of small snowfields that are easily passed on the trail. However, there is a significant snow crossing at the top of the pass and a slip/fall would be fatal. The snowfield has large suncups so I was able to use a trekking pole as a self belay on and kick steps across.. The trail is also very loose and there have been several slide across the trail since my last ascent of Old Army pass in August 2013.
New Army Pass is clear. There is a cornice at the top but it is easily passable on the trail.
Old Army Pass has a number of small snowfields that are easily passed on the trail. However, there is a significant snow crossing at the top of the pass and a slip/fall would be fatal. The snowfield has large suncups so I was able to use a trekking pole as a self belay on and kick steps across.. The trail is also very loose and there have been several slide across the trail since my last ascent of Old Army pass in August 2013.
