I'm headed up this route April 26/27. Has anyone got any info about
the route conditions right now?

A Warren Storkman inspired effort to dayhike Mt. Clark:

http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports/clark_2.html

Great trip report Bob (nice pictures too)! Purely out of curiosity,
what route did Warren take to dayhike Mt. Florence?

Martin

--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, mrolph <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Great trip report Bob (nice pictures too)! Purely out of curiosity,
> what route did Warren take to dayhike Mt. Florence?

Warren did it out of Happy Isle, on trail until past Merced Lake,
then cross-country up the West Ridge. Something like 14hrs I believe.
In 1996 he tried again with Steve Eckert and Jeff Fisher. Steve and
Jeff took 26hrs, but Warren admitted to me that he slowed them down,
otherwise they'd have done it much faster, and without the forced
bivy. Here's the short trip report:
http://www.climber.org/TripReports/1996/110.html
Interestingly I noted at the end of the above report Steve mentions
Warren's time of 12.5hrs for the Clark dayhike - so I guess I may
have matched his time after all. :)

--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Burd" <snwbord@h...>
wrote:
> Warren did it out of Happy Isle, on trail until past Merced Lake,
> then cross-country up the West Ridge. Something like 14hrs I
believe.

Wow! I feel suitably humbled again--38 miles in 14 hrs. Plus that's
got to be around 10,000 feet of climbing. I think Mt. Clark in a day
is a less far fetched goal for me. Hmm, maybe by next fall...

Thanks for providing some early season inspiration!

Martin

I think it's around 9,000ft (no slouch!), but I kinda doubt Warren
did it in 14hrs. I'm sure it could be done by some, but if his best
time for Clark was 12.5hrs, I'd bet it took him longer to do
Florence. As Steve points out in his title, "Watch out for Warren!" I
don't think Warren was very careful to record times, and his recall
of them seems to be on the optimistic side. :)


> Wow! I feel suitably humbled again--38 miles in 14 hrs. Plus that's
> got to be around 10,000 feet of climbing. I think Mt. Clark in a
day
> is a less far fetched goal for me. Hmm, maybe by next fall...
>
> Thanks for providing some early season inspiration!
>
> Martin

Starting to look for the weather trends in the eastern.  What are the
best sites and are there diferent sites for the areas of Mt.
Willaimson, Mt. Langley and White Mountain out of bishop???

This is the long-winded report from my little epic in So. Cal last
November:
http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports/villager.html

It's a very remote, desolate, and absolutely beautiful area in that
part of the state. Some very fine desert hiking indeed.

Thanks Bob for all your trip reports. I've read a few of them and
really enjoyed. Especially Mt. Clark. I've been thinking for a while
about climbing this cool peak but I 've never thought about doing it
as a day hike from the valley.
How hard is it to get to the summit? Is there a lot of exposure?
What's the route you would recommend for someone going solo without a
lot of rock climbing experience?

Kris

Thanks Kris.

It seems to me the easiest route is likely the Northeast Face. Here's
Secor's description:

"The start of this route can be reached from the base of the
southeast arete by traversing low across the east face of Mt. Clark.
Climb the right side of the northeast face via a series of broad,
sandy ledges. Pass through a notch on the north ridge of the peak,
and traverse south across the west side of the north ridge until you
are just beneath the summit. An exposed pitch up a crack and chimney
leads to the summit."

My observations from the summit suggest the Northeast Face is mostly
class 2-3, perhaps with a short section of class 4 before the summit.
If you are thinking of doing this as a dayhike, you might want to
familiarize yourself with such climbing before hiking out there on a
solo venture. You're likely to be tired and have little room for
uncertainty. The adrenaline rush on an exposed section can easily sap
your remaining reserves. Unicorn Peak in Tuolumne Meadows would be a
good test of your comfort level on short class 4 sections.

--On Wednesday, April 09, 2003 3:55 PM +0000 Bob Burd
<snwbord@...> wrote:

> . . . snip . . .
> solo venture. You're likely to be tired and have little room for
> uncertainty. The adrenaline rush on an exposed section can easily sap
> your remaining reserves. Unicorn Peak in Tuolumne Meadows would be a
> good test of your comfort level on short class 4 sections.

What approach to Unicorn?  I've been up there from the Elizabeth Lake
side and it was a relatively easy walk up.

"What approach to Unicorn? I've been up there from the Elizabeth Lake
side and it was a relatively easy walk up."

Sounds like you're all set for Clark. :)

Unicorn is rated class 4 from that side. The easiest route is along
the ridge from the notch between the middle and north (highest)
summits. There is an exposed class 4 section (maybe 8 feet) required
to get around the large boulder blocking the way. Unicorn has three
summits; the middle and south summit blocks are easy class 3. The
approach from Elizabeth lake is class 2 ("easy walk up" as you said).
It's not obvious which one is the highpoint - is it possible you were
on the middle or south summit?

Thanks Bob for your advice. I may actually have a friend going to
hike Mt. Clark with me. However, I hike solo most of the time, that's
why asked about it. I'm definately going to try Unicorn.

Kris

--On Wednesday, April 09, 2003 9:19 PM +0000 Bob Burd
<snwbord@...> wrote:

> "What approach to Unicorn? I've been up there from the Elizabeth Lake
> side and it was a relatively easy walk up."
>
> Sounds like you're all set for Clark. :)
>
> Unicorn is rated class 4 from that side. The easiest route is along
> the ridge from the notch between the middle and north (highest)
> summits. There is an exposed class 4 section (maybe 8 feet) required
> to get around the large boulder blocking the way. Unicorn has three
> summits; the middle and south summit blocks are easy class 3. The
> approach from Elizabeth lake is class 2 ("easy walk up" as you said).
> It's not obvious which one is the highpoint - is it possible you were
> on the middle or south summit?

I went south because it is higher.  I was up there for the max photo op.
Unfortunately this was before I had the the digital camera, so the only
pictures I have are on film and aren't scanned in yet.  Next time up
there I'll have to explore the middle and north summits.

We are talking about the rounded pile of rocks that's south along the
ridge line up from the shoulder?

"We are talking about the rounded pile of rocks that's south along the
ridge line up from the shoulder?"

Ah, you were on the unnamed boulder pile between Unicorn and
Cockscomb. It's a good deal higher than Unicorn to the north, but
isn't much of a climb. It has been called "Mt. Althuski" or similar
variations (this name comes from Hans Florine's website). Mostly it
gets traversed when travelling between the Unicorn and Cockscomb. It
is said to have a summit register, but in going over it twice now,
I've never managed to find it.

Tim,
Here is a couple of websites that you may find helpful.

First, for weather:

http://www.noaa.gov/
weather
weather.gov
Click on "southcentralCalifornia" area of the map
Click on "Owens Valley & adjacent Eastern Sierra slopes"


and second for snowpack info:

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/current/snow/
Click on "April"
Scroll down to "Kern River Basin"
Look at "Tyndall Creek" Statistics. Not too far from  Mt. Williamson.

Scott





--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, "tim" <cruxkroll@h...> wrote:
> Starting to look for the weather trends in the eastern.  What are
the
> best sites and are there diferent sites for the areas of Mt.
> Willaimson, Mt. Langley and White Mountain out of bishop???

Four of us went out to Ventana Cone back in January to attempt the
combined South Ventana Cone - Ventana Cone - Ventana Double Cone
dayhike. The weather was quite nice, but the route was more than we
could manage. Still, an enjoyable outing. Pics and details:
http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports/ventana_cone_2.html

Any one done the northeast gully route of Laurel Mtn. described by P.
Croft in his book, "The Good The Great and the Awesome" on page 153?
Worth a look? If so how much rope work is needed (I know this is not
easy to generalize)?

don't have the book, but there is a Laurel Mnt. out of Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Is this the same?  There looks to be some incredible fishing there.  I have
gone 4 wheeling up to Laurel Lakes.  Stunning 'U' shaped valley.  Very
pretty after the snow melts.
There is also a loop trail that connects Convict Lake to Laurel Lakes.
That's a trail I've been looking into for some time now.






>From: rocky4u22000 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
>Reply-To: sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com
>To: sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Sierra Scrambles] Laurel Mtn.- northeast gully?
>Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 07:57:23 -0000
>
>Any one done the northeast gully route of Laurel Mtn. described by P.
>Croft in his book, "The Good The Great and the Awesome" on page 153?
>Worth a look? If so how much rope work is needed (I know this is not
>easy to generalize)?
>


_________________________________________________________________
Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

Yes, I am talking about the one near Convict Lake with the 5.2, III
climb. Am interested in beta on if this is indeed a "great" climb as
Croft suggests. Is it something like Tenaya Peak in 'feel?


--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, "timothy b. kroll"
<cruxkroll@h...> wrote:
> don't have the book, but there is a Laurel Mnt. out of Mammoth
Lakes, CA.
> Is this the same?  There looks to be some incredible fishing
there.  I have
> gone 4 wheeling up to Laurel Lakes.  Stunning 'U' shaped valley.
Very
> pretty after the snow melts.
> There is also a loop trail that connects Convict Lake to Laurel
Lakes.
> That's a trail I've been looking into for some time now.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: rocky4u22000 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> >Reply-To: sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com
> >To: sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Sierra Scrambles] Laurel Mtn.- northeast gully?
> >Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 07:57:23 -0000
> >
> >Any one done the northeast gully route of Laurel Mtn. described by
P.
> >Croft in his book, "The Good The Great and the Awesome" on page
153?
> >Worth a look? If so how much rope work is needed (I know this is
not
> >easy to generalize)?
> >
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
> http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

I've been up the trail from Convict Lake a few times, and have always
admired that face. Here's a picture of it from the lake for those
that might wonder what it looks like:
http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_photos/mono_jim_1/reg/DSC00036.jpg
I'm not sure where on this face (presumeably the left side somewhere)
this route is Peter describes, but it's probably good to get other
opinions - he tends to be a bit dramatic.

An interesting piece of history - This is the same face that
Underhill and Van Patten  climbed in 1930 for the first proper use of
a rope belay in the Sierra. At least according to Secor. I've also
read elsewhere of another "first use of a proper belay" around the
same time on another peak. :)

I must be addicted to peak bagging because I'm always noting
references to Sierra peaks in everything else I do. Last night I was
reading a book over 150yrs old with the following passage:

"Impelled by a laudable ambition to study the art and mystery of his
father's honest calling, Young Jerry, keeping as close to
housefronts, walls, and doorways, as his eyes were close to one
another, held his honoured parent in view. The honoured parent
steering Northward, had not gone far, when he was joined by another
disciple of Izaak Walton, and the two trudged on together."

His dad wasn't going fishing it turns out, but to dig up the body of
a recently buried fellow to sell to the scientific community. Here's
some notes on Izaak Walton:

http://www.snwburd.com/bob/etymology/izaak_walton.html

Anybody guess the author and/or book of the passage?

I guessed Edgar Allen Poe.  I was wrong.

google told me the right answer, which I won't reveal to preserve the
guessing pleasure of others on the group.

-Michael

--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Burd" <snwbord@h...>
wrote:
> I must be addicted to peak bagging because I'm always noting
> references to Sierra peaks in everything else I do. Last night I
was
> reading a book over 150yrs old with the following passage:
>
> "Impelled by a laudable ambition to study the art and mystery of
his
> father's honest calling, Young Jerry, keeping as close to
> housefronts, walls, and doorways, as his eyes were close to one
> another, held his honoured parent in view. The honoured parent
> steering Northward, had not gone far, when he was joined by another
> disciple of Izaak Walton, and the two trudged on together."
>
> His dad wasn't going fishing it turns out, but to dig up the body
of
> a recently buried fellow to sell to the scientific community.
Here's
> some notes on Izaak Walton:
>
> http://www.snwburd.com/bob/etymology/izaak_walton.html
>
> Anybody guess the author and/or book of the passage?

Yes, Paul mailed me the right answer from Google too (he had guessed
Mary Shelly/Frankenstein). Apparently there is little Google can't
do. I'd buy Google stock if it were a public company... :)

--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, rocky4u22000 <no_reply@y...>
wrote:
> Any one done the northeast gully route of Laurel Mtn. described by
P.
> Croft in his book, "The Good The Great and the Awesome" on page
153?
> Worth a look? If so how much rope work is needed (I know this is
not
> easy to generalize)?
planning on doing this in late June. low fifth class(5.2)
Chris MacNamara at www.supertopo.com speaks highly of it.

--- In sierrascrambles@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Burd" <snwbord@h...>
wrote:
> I've been up the trail from Convict Lake a few times, and have
always
> admired that face. Here's a picture of it from the lake for those
> that might wonder what it looks like:
> http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_photos/mono_jim_1/reg/DSC00036.jpg
> I'm not sure where on this face (presumeably the left side
somewhere)
> this route is Peter describes, but it's probably good to get other
> opinions - he tends to be a bit dramatic.
>
> An interesting piece of history - This is the same face that
> Underhill and Van Patten  climbed in 1930 for the first proper use
of
> a rope belay in the Sierra. At least according to Secor. I've also
> read elsewhere of another "first use of a proper belay" around the
> same time on another peak. :)
I thought it was John Mendenhall

Oops, you're right. I can't even claim it was a typo. :)

> > An interesting piece of history - This is the same face that
> > Underhill and Van Patten  climbed in 1930 for the first proper
use
> of
> > a rope belay in the Sierra. At least according to Secor. I've
also
> > read elsewhere of another "first use of a proper belay" around
the
> > same time on another peak. :)
> I thought it was John Mendenhall

Well... I've enjoyed a lot of the dialog here and also reading
peoples' beta on the this and that, so I thought I'd give back.  Two
weeks ago, I did a road trip down the 395 from Reno and took quite a
few pictures.  I've never seen so much snow in the Sierra this time
of year ever!  Feel free to check out my pics in my Yahoo photo album:

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sierramountaingoat/lst?&.dir=/Yahoo!
+Photo+Album/395+Photos&.src=bc&.view=t&.begin=1&.order=&.done=http%
3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sierramountaingoat/lst%3f%26.dir=/Yahoo!%
2bPhoto%2bAlbum/395%2bPhotos%26.src=bc%26.view=t

I hope this link works!

If any of you are interested in seeing more from this trip, some
actual climbing pictures, or anything in high resolution, drop me a
line.  sierramountaingoat@...

-Andrew

…I.e., peaks that I tried, but failed to climb last year, and plan to
attempt again this year.  For me, these peaks are Mt. Russell and
Black Kaweah.  Does anyone else have any unfinished business to take
care of this year, or have any experiences with peaks that were (or
are) especially frustrating to climb?

Sorry everyone.  This stupid thing keeps putting a line break in my
link.  This will work:

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sierramountaingoat/

Push into "Yahoo! Photo Album" -> "395 Photos"


-Andrew

----------------------------------

Well... I've enjoyed a lot of the dialog here and also reading
peoples' beta on the this and that, so I thought I'd give back. Two
weeks ago, I did a road trip down the 395 from Reno and took quite a
few pictures. I've never seen so much snow in the Sierra this time
of year ever! Feel free to check out my pics in my Yahoo photo album:

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sierramountaingoat/

Push into Yahoo! Photo album -> 395 Photos


If any of you are interested in seeing more from this trip, some
actual climbing pictures, or anything in high resolution, drop me a
line... oh, and if you are looking for people to go climbing with,
drop me a line too!

-Andrew