Elwood - Aug 4, 2008 8:20 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2008
Northface(r/h chute)/SE Glacier
Set-up basecamp at Ediza Lake for 2-nights, while enjoying the climb of Mt. Ritter via the northface, desending the S.E. glacier route. I then spent two days of cross-country travel over Iceberg lake, Cecile lake, & Minaret lake, with awesome views of the Minarets! Great 4-day adventure!
Diggler - Jun 23, 2008 11:25 am Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
N face (Muir route) up, SE glacier down
Starting at 7.37 instead of 6.00 (from camp at Ediza Lake) like originally planned (stayed up & hung out with later than anticipated Dutch & Jim, whom I’d just met at the adjacent campsite- very cool guys) proved fateful, as I missed the return shuttle by ~1:50 (I could have spent less time at the summit- that, combined with the late start, would’ve made the difference). I am thus typing this entry at work the following day after approximately 1 hour of sleep since summit/return day yesterday (it’s going to be a long day).
Regardless, it was a beautiful day, despite the day prior having numerous hail/rain incidents, as well as rapidly-moving early morning clouds that initially caused me some concern.Oh yeah, there were TONS of mosquitoes too- I probably killed a few hundred of the little bastards myself. Horrific. Anyway, aside from the snow being quite soft, conditions were splendid. The area surrounding Ritter & Banner I believe to be one of the prettiest in the Sierra. Always a joy to be there.
The route that ol' Muir picked out was a gem- a steep N face climb up from the glacier, good exposure & quite enjoyable. A very nice way to follow in the footsteps of a legend. Summited at 12.44, staying until 13.29. Views up top were spectacular, particularly with everything higher up still having a mantel of snow. Great day.
96avs01 - Jun 6, 2008 7:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2008
Slog from Minaret Vista
After the Memorial Day weekend snow left the high country dicey with 1-2+ feet of unconsolidated snow we opted for a super slog of Ritter from the locked gate at Minaret vista. Climbed the Clyde variation of the SE glacier route almost exclusively in snowshoes (based on our previous experience above the Hourglass Couloir on Mt. Dade a few days earlier), with the exception being the traverse of the SE glacier where we opted for crampons. Views were great, we didn't see another person from TH to TH, and even caught a ride from the Reds Meadow store manager back up the road to the gate. Great trip!
I think I took the Clyde Variation Route. There was some snow around, but it didn't slow me down too much. It was really cloudy during the approach, so navigation was a bit tricky. Great views once I finally made it to the top, as the skies cleared up in my honor. I think you can see Half Dome from the peak. The dog made it up as well. Bravo!
lefty - Sep 14, 2007 9:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
SE Couloir
Soft snow conditions, no crampons needed for this afternoon climb.
Awesome climb! The snow on the saddle was a bit soft for my crampons. My points just cut through the snow like butter, even though it was still early in the day. A smaller snowfield at the base of the north face was quite icy though, and I was glad my crampons were sharp for that. Took the right chute up through some class 3 ledges, which was very enjoyable. The ramp was snow-free and full of loose rock, so we took the class 3 bypass on the side. Descended the SE glacier, which was snow-free as well. 13 hours R/T. Tagged Banner too.
Donno - Aug 28, 2007 9:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
SE Glacier
With Peter & Rahil. 10-1/2 hrs r/t from Ediza, by a variation to the standard route.
Dave S - Aug 21, 2007 12:24 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
North Face (Left chute)
Climbed with Anthony B. Great day in the mountains!
Dennis Poulin - Aug 20, 2007 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
SE Route
Backpacked in to the tarn below Ritter/Banner with Dan. Nice hike up by the Ritter Glacierette on the southeast side. Lots of loose rocks.
bechtt - Aug 1, 2007 5:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
North Face (ascent); SE slope (descent)
Great climb up the right chute (Clyde's route) after surmounting the icy snow tongue. Snow was easily bypassed on the ramp making this an easy ascent. The descent wasn't any fun down the SE backside. Made it back to camp at dark with no headlamps. Peak #4 on JMT adventure.
What a great peak, but the mosquitoes were out of control!!!!
Pantilat - Jun 25, 2007 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
North Face
Climbed the North Face via Lake Catherine and the Rush Creek Trail (Silver Lake). Descended the North Face and then did Banner. After returning to Ritter-Banner Saddle, descended to Nydiver Lakes across to Garnet Lake and back up to Agnew Pass. A 12 hour, 15 minute day.
metasyn11 - Jun 24, 2007 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
North Face
From our Thousand Island lake campsite, we ascended to the Ritter-Banner Saddle via North Glacier Pass. The snow was pretty soft and crampons weren't really necessary at any point. After bagging Banner, we climbed the right chute of the north face, then, when the classic ramp looked a little dicey due to snow, we traversed around and climbed the broad but steep west face directly to the summit. Great climbing and a fantastic view = elated.
tb00957 - Jun 22, 2007 3:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2007
SE glacier
Nice snow condition. We didn't need crampon on the way up even though we carried them. No postholing either. Lots of glissade on the way back.
bcd - Mar 20, 2007 3:30 am Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2004
Ritter
Ritter!
renaistre - Nov 16, 2006 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2005
Secor's Chute
This was my first Sierra peak, and it was the peak put me under the spell of mountaineering.
We had perfect conditions, with soft snow and some clouds - but no postholing or storms.
We did sort of regret going up Secor's chute because of the loose and steep rock, but we all made it up without any major problems. We descended via Owen's chute.
Langenbacher - Aug 30, 2006 1:11 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2006
West Slope - North Face
Climbed with Charles from camp at Catherine Lake. Waited 2 hours for the sun to soften the snow around middle Ritter Lake, but still too much frozen high-angle snow on the "class 2" west slope, so we climbed class 3 rock, got off route and corrected. Decided that going down the North Face would be a lot easier than our ascent route. Had a little trouble figuring out the route down, but finally made it back to camp at 6 pm and back to Agnew Meadows at 1:30 AM. We 2 climbed Mt. Davis the day before, and camped with Kathy, Shawn, and Peter. Views from both peaks were beautiful. More pictures will be posted at http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/553569003EXsQSQ as time permits.
Elwood - Aug 4, 2008 8:20 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2008
Northface(r/h chute)/SE GlacierSet-up basecamp at Ediza Lake for 2-nights, while enjoying the climb of Mt. Ritter via the northface, desending the S.E. glacier route. I then spent two days of cross-country travel over Iceberg lake, Cecile lake, & Minaret lake, with awesome views of the Minarets! Great 4-day adventure!
Sierra Ledge Rat - Jul 17, 2008 11:23 pm
1992: Solo N FaceClyde variation
Diggler - Jun 23, 2008 11:25 am Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
N face (Muir route) up, SE glacier downStarting at 7.37 instead of 6.00 (from camp at Ediza Lake) like originally planned (stayed up & hung out with later than anticipated Dutch & Jim, whom I’d just met at the adjacent campsite- very cool guys) proved fateful, as I missed the return shuttle by ~1:50 (I could have spent less time at the summit- that, combined with the late start, would’ve made the difference). I am thus typing this entry at work the following day after approximately 1 hour of sleep since summit/return day yesterday (it’s going to be a long day).
Regardless, it was a beautiful day, despite the day prior having numerous hail/rain incidents, as well as rapidly-moving early morning clouds that initially caused me some concern.Oh yeah, there were TONS of mosquitoes too- I probably killed a few hundred of the little bastards myself. Horrific. Anyway, aside from the snow being quite soft, conditions were splendid. The area surrounding Ritter & Banner I believe to be one of the prettiest in the Sierra. Always a joy to be there.
The route that ol' Muir picked out was a gem- a steep N face climb up from the glacier, good exposure & quite enjoyable. A very nice way to follow in the footsteps of a legend. Summited at 12.44, staying until 13.29. Views up top were spectacular, particularly with everything higher up still having a mantel of snow. Great day.
96avs01 - Jun 6, 2008 7:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2008
Slog from Minaret VistaAfter the Memorial Day weekend snow left the high country dicey with 1-2+ feet of unconsolidated snow we opted for a super slog of Ritter from the locked gate at Minaret vista. Climbed the Clyde variation of the SE glacier route almost exclusively in snowshoes (based on our previous experience above the Hourglass Couloir on Mt. Dade a few days earlier), with the exception being the traverse of the SE glacier where we opted for crampons. Views were great, we didn't see another person from TH to TH, and even caught a ride from the Reds Meadow store manager back up the road to the gate. Great trip!
Trip Report
paisajeroamericano - Oct 17, 2007 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2007
long day hikeI think I took the Clyde Variation Route. There was some snow around, but it didn't slow me down too much. It was really cloudy during the approach, so navigation was a bit tricky. Great views once I finally made it to the top, as the skies cleared up in my honor. I think you can see Half Dome from the peak. The dog made it up as well. Bravo!
lefty - Sep 14, 2007 9:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
SE CouloirSoft snow conditions, no crampons needed for this afternoon climb.
EastcoastMike - Sep 12, 2007 11:02 pm
SE GlacierHiked it on Columbus day weekend 2006. Beautiful day, beautiful mountain. Did it as an overnight and took our time to enjoy it, it was glorious!
Zinge - Sep 11, 2007 1:14 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2007
Ritter/Banner DayhikeAwesome day, warm temps and no wind. Climbed with Adamus, 13hr round trip.
Adamus - Sep 9, 2007 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2007
Ritter and Banner from Agnew via the SaddleAwesome climb! The snow on the saddle was a bit soft for my crampons. My points just cut through the snow like butter, even though it was still early in the day. A smaller snowfield at the base of the north face was quite icy though, and I was glad my crampons were sharp for that. Took the right chute up through some class 3 ledges, which was very enjoyable. The ramp was snow-free and full of loose rock, so we took the class 3 bypass on the side. Descended the SE glacier, which was snow-free as well. 13 hours R/T. Tagged Banner too.
Donno - Aug 28, 2007 9:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
SE GlacierWith Peter & Rahil. 10-1/2 hrs r/t from Ediza, by a variation to the standard route.
Dave S - Aug 21, 2007 12:24 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
North Face (Left chute)Climbed with Anthony B. Great day in the mountains!
Dennis Poulin - Aug 20, 2007 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
SE RouteBackpacked in to the tarn below Ritter/Banner with Dan. Nice hike up by the Ritter Glacierette on the southeast side. Lots of loose rocks.
bechtt - Aug 1, 2007 5:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
North Face (ascent); SE slope (descent)Great climb up the right chute (Clyde's route) after surmounting the icy snow tongue. Snow was easily bypassed on the ramp making this an easy ascent. The descent wasn't any fun down the SE backside. Made it back to camp at dark with no headlamps. Peak #4 on JMT adventure.
CBoldt1010 - Jul 2, 2007 4:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2007
Beautiful DayWhat a great peak, but the mosquitoes were out of control!!!!
Pantilat - Jun 25, 2007 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
North FaceClimbed the North Face via Lake Catherine and the Rush Creek Trail (Silver Lake). Descended the North Face and then did Banner. After returning to Ritter-Banner Saddle, descended to Nydiver Lakes across to Garnet Lake and back up to Agnew Pass. A 12 hour, 15 minute day.
metasyn11 - Jun 24, 2007 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
North FaceFrom our Thousand Island lake campsite, we ascended to the Ritter-Banner Saddle via North Glacier Pass. The snow was pretty soft and crampons weren't really necessary at any point. After bagging Banner, we climbed the right chute of the north face, then, when the classic ramp looked a little dicey due to snow, we traversed around and climbed the broad but steep west face directly to the summit. Great climbing and a fantastic view = elated.
tb00957 - Jun 22, 2007 3:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2007
SE glacierNice snow condition. We didn't need crampon on the way up even though we carried them. No postholing either. Lots of glissade on the way back.
bcd - Mar 20, 2007 3:30 am Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2004
RitterRitter!
renaistre - Nov 16, 2006 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2005
Secor's ChuteThis was my first Sierra peak, and it was the peak put me under the spell of mountaineering.
We had perfect conditions, with soft snow and some clouds - but no postholing or storms.
We did sort of regret going up Secor's chute because of the loose and steep rock, but we all made it up without any major problems. We descended via Owen's chute.
Langenbacher - Aug 30, 2006 1:11 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2006
West Slope - North FaceClimbed with Charles from camp at Catherine Lake. Waited 2 hours for the sun to soften the snow around middle Ritter Lake, but still too much frozen high-angle snow on the "class 2" west slope, so we climbed class 3 rock, got off route and corrected. Decided that going down the North Face would be a lot easier than our ascent route. Had a little trouble figuring out the route down, but finally made it back to camp at 6 pm and back to Agnew Meadows at 1:30 AM. We 2 climbed Mt. Davis the day before, and camped with Kathy, Shawn, and Peter. Views from both peaks were beautiful. More pictures will be posted at http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/553569003EXsQSQ as time permits.