News of California

just got mine - thumbs up. Looks like money well spent.

http://maximuspress.com/shop/proddetail.php?prod=CRTN

As of September 17, there is a snow bridge over the left side of the bergshrund. The couloir itself is fat with neve and two water ice patches, each of which is about a pitch long. Despite warm temperatures and a relatively late start at 8:30, we had only one naturally released rock whiz by, and the rope only dislodged one other.

I'm not sure if there's a bridge over the U Notch shrund, but ...

Anyone been up there recently to take a look?

I'm looking for information on this route. Secor(The High Sierra) describes this route between the U-notch and The Doors of Perception, as 5.6. It climbs,"...the obscure, obtuse open book above and right of the bergschrund of the U-Notch Coulior."
Secor also mentions the rock as being light gray.

Has anyone done this? How easy is it to find? What is the quality of the rock? Anything else you want to pass along?

Thanks! ...

I was looking for any tips or info on climbing Whitney in the winter. I would like to know which month to climb, Dec-Jan, and what the avalanche risks are at this time. I understand that the Mountaineers Route is the best way I was just wondering how technical the route is? Finally, I hear the temps are -20 F, just want to confirm that fact. Any other helpful info is welcomed.

Thanks for your ...

There's a big talus-filled chute immediately north of Piute Lake. Has anyone used this as a shortcut to the base of Humphreys? Is it any worse than going all the way to Piute Pass?

Hey just moved to SF, looking to get in a good backpacking trip in the next month or two before it gets too snowy...

-Looking to leave on a thursday night
-return sunday/monday night
-sierra
-rad camping
-nothing more than class 3
-driving to lee vining is fine, just did it and it wasn't too bad

maybe something like car camp friday night, sat am pack in 6 miles and set up camp, do a ...

I know, the choices are limited, but I'm taking a couple friends to the Valley this weekend and am trying to think of the best places to take them. This will be about their third time climbing outside and I suspect 5.8 will be about their limit with 5.6 still plenty challenging. So I'm looking for some easy stuff just to get them on the rock. Got any favorites? One of my buddies is a ...

Anyone been up there recently? I will be attempting Ritter this Sunday in a dayhike. I'll be bringing crampons/axe, does anyone know if opting for glacier travel will add or subtract time on this route?

First, I realize that one can drive to 2000' only before hitting the gate.

I'm considering parking at 2000' for a loop over Porter and Sentinel. Has anybody here tried or scouted out this route? It seems that there are several options for descent/ascent; one could cache water at 5400' in the canyon for a common departure/return point.

How's the road up to 2000'?