McDonald's southwest side...

McDonald's southwest side...

McDonald's southwest side from the Ashley Creek Divide. The summit is the highest visible snow hump. Either head straight up the snow, or ascend the rounded buttress to the left. West McDonald is the prominent point on the far left of the photo. Photo by Luke Lamar
mr kieran
on Oct 12, 2005 10:33 pm
Image ID: 130798

Comments

Post a Comment
Viewing: 1-4 of 4
Fred Spicker

Fred Spicker - Oct 15, 2005 12:58 pm - Voted 10/10

Name game

You are correct that the point on the left, which appears prominent in this view is the point labeled as West McDonald Peak on the USGS Map and as such I suppose it is now "official". However, most local residents of the Mission Valley consider the major peak to the west of McDonald – Point 9417 – to be West McDonald Peak aka The Sheep's Head. The point labeled West McDonald by the USGS is barely even prominent from the Mission Valley and from the north.

mtclimber

mtclimber - Dec 4, 2005 3:38 pm - Hasn't voted

connecting ridge

Avoid that ridge between West McDonald and the summit. It's kinda nasty.

MtMtnHiker

MtMtnHiker - Jul 14, 2012 8:28 pm - Voted 9/10

connecting ridge

That ridge is easy, especially if you can gain it somewhere in the middle between West McDonald and the main peak. Follow one of the diagonal ledges (run R to L Photo) to the top and then it is an easy ridge walk to the summit.

mtclimber

mtclimber - Jul 11, 2014 8:38 am - Hasn't voted

connecting ridge

The main ridge to the summit is no problem, but the knife-edge section of uneven outcroppings from W. McDonald through the low section is anything but easy and I have the pics to prove it. But, yes, it's easy enough to drop below it a ways until you get past all that and get on the main ridgeline to the summit.

Viewing: 1-4 of 4