SummitPost.org

robk wrote:

JJBrunner wrote:whoa! ive been right in that slides path before! I even learned to self arrest roped to that lone tree to the right of the slide! just out of curiosity, could a slide that size do any harm to anyone?

Ditto on Kurt's comments re: trauma.

Small slides can also pose a substantial risk if associated with a terrain trap that could magnify the burial risks.

Any idea if it could really move you or would it be easy to get out of?

Anyone been up there today? Kind of wondering if the new storm left snow below the hut.

Just got back, not much snow below the hut, take a helmet for the bowl, lots of projectiles coming down from about 8am on. No wind at all today, kinda weird for Baldy

With conditions as they are (assuming no storms come in), next Saturday would I be able to hike to the ski hut alright w/o ice axe and crampons, or do I need to wait a few weeks? I'm looking for a short hike next Saturday with a friend, but I don't want to take the extra gear (she has no mountaineering experience). I'm not concerned with making the summit.

catalyst81 wrote:With conditions as they are (assuming no storms come in), next Saturday would I be able to hike to the ski hut alright w/o ice axe and crampons, or do I need to wait a few weeks? I'm looking for a short hike next Saturday with a friend, but I don't want to take the extra gear (she has no mountaineering experience). I'm not concerned with making the summit.

As of right now yes, watch the storm coming in this next week to see how low the snow level is, I doubt it will change conditions much.

Even though it snowed last week, the snow patches (yesterday) below the hut were smaller than before the storm. If she can deal with some small snow patches, she'll be fine.

Want to hike to Ski Hut on Saturday. Anyone been up these past few days? How far past the Hut can one get w/o crampons & axes?

Here are a couple shots of Baldy from Cinco de Mayo. The rest of the pictures are here: Mt. Baldy May 5, 2010. It's melting fast and if the temperatures stay warm it gets soft by mid morning.

Wow, it sure has been melting fast over the last two weeks!!

Kurt Wedberg wrote:Here are a couple shots of Baldy from Cinco de Mayo. The rest of the pictures are here:

Nice. Thanks.

Today I made what is probably my last climb of Baldy Bowl this season.

My first hike up the Bowl on Saturday and really had a fine day. Memorable.

I had a 'moment' at around 9000' (in picture) when I was shuffling through some hardpack and realized here is why crampons and axes were invented. I couldn't get footing and really thought this is the notorious "slide down the Bowl clattering acoming". That was some experience for me. My 61st birthday and standing on top of Baldy again. Great day.

The stall-out section for the newbie:


Giving thanks.

Another photo from Sat on Iron Mt.

Seems like everybody did this Saturday. I did it too. You don't necessarily need crampons but an ice axe would be a good idea if you slipped on some sections on the ridge. No snow on lightning couloir (that was our original plan). Not much time left if you want some snow so get up there!

I was also up there on Saturday. Started around 6:00 and summited a little after 8:00 so the snow was still in pretty good shape. Never got out the crampons or ice axe, but trekking poles were handy. The snow below about 9000' was total slush by 9:00am. I pretty much followed the boot packed trail up the left side of the bowl so there wasn't much exposure.