Mt. Baldy after a storm 4-14-2012

Cary climbing up the bowl

Love it!

Climbing in the fog

On Saturday morning Cary and I met up to climb Mt. Baldy.  On Friday Baldy got 2 feet of snow which was exciting, especially since it's been such a dry winter this season.  We got to the trailhead (Manker Flats) and start climbing by 6:30.  There were only a few people ahead of us so the trail was not packed down and caused us to go a little slower than normal.  By 10 we reached the Sierra Hut.  After a short break we started up the bowl.  We decided to climb a more direct route to the summit which involved breaking trail.  For 900 feet we were climbing up the bowl taking turns breaking trail.  We would sink in shin to knee high which is a pain when on a steep (relatively speaking) angle.  After 2 hours of climbing up we were beat.  At 9,100 feet and a mile short of the summit we called it a day.  The most enjoyable part of the climb was glissading down the bowl.  It was slow going due to the soft powder but it was still doable.  It only took 15 minutes to get back down to the Hut.  Once at the Hut the trail was packed down due to more traffic.  This made for a fast pace back to the car.  All in all we climbed 3,000 feet and traveled 5 miles. It was disappointing not to make the summit but it was still great to get out and enjoy some much needed snow.

Our route was similar to this post in 2009

10 Lakes, Yosemite : Backpacking

Last weekend Cary, Erik (my brother), and I went backpacking in Yosemite.  We headed out via White Wolf campground on Friday afternoon (3pm) towards the 10 Lakes area. Since we had a late start and due to the high altitude we set up camp 2 miles shy of 10 Lakes near Half Moon Meadow.  Once we found a place to camp we set up tents and ate dinner as fast as we could trying to avoid getting bitten by the infinite amount of mosquitoes.  The next morning we got up packed up our camp and headed to 10 Lakes.  After 2 hours we reached the top of the ridge just above the lakes.  We decided to camp up high since photo ops would be better up top instead of in the deep valley with steep cliffs.  Our campsite was awesome; it overlooked the grand canyon of Tuolumne and the 10 Lakes area.  After setting up camp we packed up daypacks and hiked down to the lakes to spend the afternoon exploring.  Once we were down there we photographed the lakes, waterfalls, streams, and mountains.  Erik was also brave enough to jump in the lake, which was very cold.  I had a great time using my new neutral density filter, which enabled me to shoot water blur in direct sunlight.  After a few hours we headed back up to the top of the ridge to our camp and enjoyed dinner and shooting sunset. The next morning we got up around 5:30 to shoot sunrise and then packed up our camp.  Heading back we exited the 10 lakes trail instead of hiking all the way back to the White Wolf campground.  We left Erik’s car on Tioga road near the 10 Lakes trailhead so that we could shuttle back to my car at White Wolf.  Sunday’s hike back from the 10 Lakes ridge to the car was mellow and mostly all down hill.  It only took us about 2.5 hours to get down. 

Start: Friday Aug 5^th, 3pm @ White Wolf Campground

End: Sunday Aug 7^th, 11:30 @ 10 Lakes Trailhead

Total Trip Mileage: 15 mi

Mileage to Camp 1: 6.5 mi

Camp 1 to Camp 2: 1.6 mi

Weather: 80’s during the day/ 50’s at night

Ton of mosquitoes!

check out my photos at  TEETZELPHOTOGRAPHY 

Cary at the top of the ridge, above 10 Lakes

Near one of the 10 Lakes

Erik's sole came completely off!

Camp 2

Cary and Erik rocking the mosquito nets

View 10 lakes yosemite 8-5-11 in a larger map

Hilton Creek - BC Skiing- April 2nd & 3rd, 2011

After Deer Mountain (see previous post) we decided to try to climb something that had less trees and a run out all the way to the car (meaning we can ski all the way back down to the car).  In Crowley, just south of Mammoth we decided to climb the Hilton Creek Trail.  We skinned up and trekked up a slight incline for about .6 of a mile.  After that we began a more steady climb.  After climbing 1500 feet and 1.5 miles we decided to ski down.  The snow conditions were not great.  The snow was punchy and warming up creating some unexpected deep spots.  We had to ski with caution because we didn't know when the thin crust was going to give.  Looking back on it we should have started a lot earlier to avoid mushy snow. Skiing down was still fun.  Unsure of whether we could ski all the way back to the car we bombed the last hill to carry momentum.  Surprisingly we were able to ski all the way back down.  It was long and it destroyed my legs but it's a lot better than skinning back to the car!!!

The next day we got an earlier start and climbed Hilton Creek Trail again.  This time the snow was firmer and more enjoyable.  I got to say it's a great place to bc ski.  I love it and the run out all the way to the road.  It offered beautiful views, nice slopes, and not too many trees.  And of course we didn't see anybody around us both days.  Good times.  Next time we are in Mammoth we will definitely do this again and hopefully climb a little higher.

Hilton Creek/Crowley Lake

Rocking the bandana.....forgot my hat

Climbing up

View Deer Mtn/Hitlon Creek 4/2011 in a larger map

Deer Mountain and Inyo Craters - BC Skiing

Pano of Inyo Crater

Showing some leg!

At the top of Deer Mountain 

Last weekend Cary and I went up to the Mammoth area to do some back country skiing.  The first day we headed out to the Inyo Craters and to climb Deer Mountain.  We parked just off scenic drive and skinned up to the Craters.  It was relatively flat for the first 1.5 mile trek.  After viewing the craters we climbed Deer Mountian which is right next to the craters.  It wasn't a long or steep climb but it was good practice climbing with skins on and it offered incredible views from the top.  When we reached the top we realized there was 3 high points which made it hard to dicipher which one was the actual summit so we tagged all three:)

On our decent down it was slow going.  The snow wasn't in good condition, soft with a little bit of crust and there were lots of trees to avoid.  Nonetheless it was fun and challenging.

Stats:
Total Mileage: 4.2
Start 10:00
End 3:30

Note:  The first mile was kind of boring since it was a relatively flat.  I prefer to be ascending or descending on skis.

Cary's photos

AT Skiing - Mammoth

Cary heading up to Lake Mary

Taking a break near the old mine shafts

Cary taking off his skins and about to ski down

My new K2 Wayback AT Skis

Just above Lake Mary

Last week I flew up to Mammoth to meet up with Cary to try out "at skiing" and my new gear.  Both Cary and I have decided to take up backcountry skiing/mountaineering.  Yes, we have a LONG way to go before we attempt anything serious.  First, I need to learn how to ski.  Luckily, Cary is a good skier who is more than willing to give me tips.  Regardless I plan to get use to skiing and touring on the skis over the next few months.  After this trip I quickly realized I need to purchase a helmet, there are just too many trees around!

On Friday we headed up to the Obsidian Dome area just north, off the 395.  Marking our first "at skiing" experience we traveled about 4 miles  climbing just a hair over 500 feet.  It was slow going at first getting use to hiking in skis.  After a while we slowly but surely started to get the hang of it.  One person led while the other followed in their tracks.  Around 3:30 we arrived back at the truck and we headed back to the Mammoth area.  Since we didn't climb any hills to ski down we decided to find a mellow hill off the road to climb and ski down.  Off the Scenic Road near Mammoth we found our spot.  We climbed up a few hundred feet, took off our skins (which enable us to climb up hill) and skied down.  I quickly learned that I really need to spend a few days at a ski resort to practice my skiing, just getting the general technique down.  Anyway, it was still a ton of fun.

On Sat we headed out to the Tamarack side of Mammoth.  We skied to the old mining shafts near Lake Mary.  On our way, we found a great place to practice our down hill skiing.  It was also nice to get the practice of taking off and putting on our skins.  After the 6 mile trip we headed back to town.  We both really enjoyed our first "at skiing" experience.  I'm relieved considering I've spent a ton of money on my set up!  Over the next few weeks we plan on doing day trips whenever we get an opportunity.  Then by April or May we will attempt to climb a somewhat mellow peak.

View Mammoth Feb, 2011 in a larger map

Robinson Lake (University Peak Attempt) May 22/23

Looking up from Robinson Lake

Looking at University Peak to the right at 11,500 feet

Last weekend Cary and I headed back to the Sierras.  We decided to attempt University Peak out of the Onion Valley/Independence area.  We started climbing around mid day on Saturday.  With snowshoes on we headed up to Robinson Lake.  1 mile and 2 hours later we arrived at Robinson Lake.  The weather was very pleasant as we set up camp for the night.  As night began to creep up on us so did the clouds.  Around 7 it started to lightly snow.  After dinner Cary and I went to the lake with an ice axe to break through the frozen layer of ice to filter some water.  It must have been in the high teens at night.  My water inside our tent started to freeze including my hydration bladder!  I slept in down booties, down pants and a down parka.  

The next morning we woke up to a few new inches of snow.  We packed our bags, put on our gators and crampons and headed out.  It started to snow more and more as the morning went on.  The clouds totally engulfed us, limiting our view of the peaks.  We continued to climb, realizing it wouldn't be a good idea to go for the summit.  Around 11,500 feet and 1 mile from camp we reached the base of the peaks.  We decided this was a good place to stop.   With visibility being limiting I climbed about 300 feet up the right embankment to get a little more climbing in.  I quickly lost sight of Cary and decided to come back down.  On our way back to camp we glissaded 200 feet down to Robinson Lake.  It was the steepest glissade I have done yet.  Good times!

We arrived back to our camp with a few more inches of snow.  We packed up our gear and headed back to the parking lot.  It snowed the whole morning we were out.  The scenery was absolutely beautiful! We only saw a handful of people the whole weekend, and that was close to the parking lot.

Stats:

Elevation at parking lot = 9200 feet

1 mile (via snow travel) to Robinson Lake, 10,500 feet

1 mile to the base of University Peak.

Total Miles = 4  round trip

My high point for the trip = 11,800 feet

More Photos - Cary's

More Photos - Todd's

View Robinson Lake - Sierras in a larger map

Rock Creek, Ruby and Dade Lake

Don't step in the hole!

I should have had my ice axe out.

Heading up to Dade Lake

The views were amazing!

Yahoo for snow camping!

Our kitchen

May 1st and 2nd 

Over the weekend Cary and I went camping and climbing in the Eastern Sierras.  Friday afternoon Cary and I drove up to Rock Creek Lake, arriving around 10:30pm.  The snow level was around 8,000 feet, however, the road was paved all the way to Rock Creek Lake, 9,700 feet.  Friday night we spent the night in the bed of Cary's pick-up truck.  Saturday morning we got up and packed all our gear.  We headed out on snowshoes simply because we did not have any room in or on our packs to store them.  A little over 2 miles later we reached Heart Lake where we set up camp.  After setting up camp we hiked past treasure lakes to Dade lake.  The views were spectacular.  Snow was swirling off the mountain tops making for an amazing landscape.  

We returned to our camp around 6 and shortly after started dinner.  We dug out a little space to sit and a little table (see above pic) to make dinner.  The next morning we hoped to climb Mt. Starr.  We woke up around 5:15am, grabbed our gear and headed out.  Heading up we climbed a short class 3 section to get above the tree line.  Once over the tree line ridge we hiked up to Ruby Lake which is almost half way to the summit.  We scouted a nice shoot that looked inviting, however, Cary pointed out it was in an avalanche zone.  We saw trees were stripped of branches on the mountain side.  We decided to call it a day and hike back down to our camp.  Next time I climb I will probably go around to Mono Pass and climb up from the other side of Mt. Starr.  We returned to our camp around 10am and packed up and hiked back to the parking lot.

All and all it was a great trip, yeah we didn't summit, however, we did get a lot of info for next trip.  The views were amazing, the weather was alright (a little windy) and we only saw a handful of people each day.  Next time I would like to backcountry ski instead of snow shoe in.  Skiing would be much more enjoyable and faster on the descents, everyone we saw the whole weekend were on skis.  Great, one more toy I need to save up for:-)

For more pics click here

Notes:

• RCL to Heart Lake = 2 hours on  snow shoes
• Heart Lake to Dade Lake = 2.25 hours on snow shoes
• If climbing Mt. Dade, camp at Treasure Lakes
• Heart Lake to Ruby Lake = 2.25 hours with crampons
• RCL area is a great back country skiing area
• Temps:  Low 20's at night, 40's during the day

Orange is our climb up.  Purple is our descent.
View Rock Creek Snow Camp may 1st 2010.kmz in a larger map

Mt. Baldy

After taking 2 months off from climbing due to my bike accident, I returned to mountains to climb Mt. Baldy (Mt. San Antonio), the highest peak in Los Angeles County.  On Saturday my buddy Cary and I   met up at Manker Flats around 7am where we started our climb.  About 2,000 feet and 2 hours of hiking up the dirt trail we reached the Ski Hut, which was where the snow line started.  At the Hut we put on our gators and crampons and started out on the hard packed snow.  We decided to take the most direct route up (the right side of the bowl).  The conditions were perfect for climbing with crampons, the only problem was there was a good chance of rock fall and we didn't bring our helmets.  Cary and I zig zagged back and forth for the next 3 hours taking occasional breaks to catch our breaths and to eat some snacks.  By 12 we reached the summit.  It was super windy and a bit chilly.  We took a half an hour break to take photos and eat our lunch.  On our descent we decided to take a different route down.  This enabled us to glissade down a few parts of the bowl (see the video).  Finally, around 3:30 we returned to the parking lot.  I couldn't have asked for a better day to climb.  The conditions were great and only a handful of people were out.  I just hope the snow will stay around for next weekend when Cary and I plan to climb another peak in the San Gabriels. 

Start: 7am

Summit: 12

Return; 3:30

Elevation start: 6,100 ft

Summit: 10,064 ft

*Thanks to Cary for the photos and the video

View Mt Baldy 4-10-10 in a larger map

Mt. Shavano and Tabeguache Peak via Brown Creek Trailhead

Cary and me on top of Tabeguache

One needs to cross a stream some how

Katie climbing up

2 pics I shot near our camp

Katie and Sis on top of Tabeguache

Brad, Kris and me climbing up Tabeguache

Me rocking my new hat

Cary climbing up the snow shoot

Climbing up the snow shoot

Over the fourth of July weekend me and some of my buddies did some climbing in the Sawatch mountain range in Colorado. I had previously never even been to Colorado none the less the Rockies so I was pretty excited to get out there and climb! On Friday the 3rd, Cary, Katie and I met up with Brad, Kris and Kelsy on route to Brown Creek Trailhead. We got to the trailhead around 12:45 and started the 6 mile hike up to Brown Creek Lake were we set up our camp for the next two nights. The hike was gorgeous, it followed a well flowing creek with aspen trees littered all around. About 3 miles from the trailhead we stopped at the "falls" for lunch.

Around 4:15 we arrived at the lake and set up our tents just north of there. Cary and I were bunking together as usual, Katie was with her sis and Brad and Kris were together. Cary and I have camped so many times together I feel we are a well oiled machine, very proficient at setting up camp. That night we set up a camp fire and relaxed. I tried capturing water blur photographs near the creek near by but nothing really turned out to my liking.

The next morning we woke up around 5:30 and got ready for our climb. We headed out of our camp (11,300 ft) by 6, just as the sun was painting the mountains a nice shade of pink. We climbed up a gully filled with scree and loose rock for the first hour and a half. Around 12,500 we started climbing up a ridge, luckily climbers above us showed us which route "not" to take. While climbing up the ridge a climber above knocked down a bowling ball size boulder down the shoot and went whizzing past us. It wasn't close enough to hit us but it was heading towards where we were before we started climbing the ridge. None the less it definitely got our attention. After climbing up the ridge we traversed to a snow shoot in a gully and climbed straight up until we hit the saddle (13,800 ft), which connects Shavano and Tebeguache. Brad and Kris did a terrific job kicking in steps up the hard pack snow! Once at the saddle we climbed up to Tabeguache (14,155 ft). There was a small cornice that we climbed over to reach the summit (roughly around 10:30). Once on the summit we relaxed for about 20 minutes with the 5 of people who were already there. Katie also brought chocolate for all of us as well. Thanks Katie, you rock!

We soon headed back down to the saddle and left some gear there as we hiked along the Mt. Shavano ridge to Shavano's summit. It took us about 30 minutes to reach Shavano's summit (14,229 ft). Once there we met a guy who put an American flag on the summit. After a picture I headed back down to the saddle where I ate my salami, cheese and cracker lunch. Kris hung back a little and sang the star-spangled banner with the patriotic climber:-)

On our decent, going down the snow shoot was a little tougher that I expected. I had hoped the snow would be punchy and easy to heal step down. It was definitely manageable but not as soft as I would have liked, so the last 40 feet I got on my butt and glissaded down. We arrived back at our camp around 1:30. The rest of the day we relaxed around the camp site. I took some photos, took a nice nap and then sat around the campfire and discussed important topics like swamp @$$ and the town of Rifle.

The next morning Cary, Kelsy and I headed back down to our cars. Cary and I needed to start our drive back to California. Brad, Kris and Katie stayed and climbed Mt. Antero, good job guys!

Weather:

The weather was great the whole weekend. We did encounter a thunderstorm in the middle of the night one night but that's about it. It was cloudy on and off throughout the weekend.

Stats:

• Brown Creek Trailhead: 8,950 feet
  
• Brown Creek Lake (Camp): 11,300 feet / 6 miles from trailhead
  
• Saddle: 13,800 feet
  
• Tabeguache : Peak: 14,155 feet / about 1.5 miles from Brown Creek Lake (our camp)
  
• Mt. Shavano : 14,229 feet / about .5 miles from saddle
  

Lessons learned:

• Subways in Colorado don't offer avocados
• The town of Rifle has the best Starbucks ever (ask Cary)
• You must drive a Subaru to live in Colorado
• Mini tripods take terrible water blur photos, too low to the ground.
• Mel and I should move to Colorado

** Thanks to Kelsy, Katy and Cary for contributing their photographs to the blog.

** Thanks to Brad and Katie for planning such an awesome trip!!!

View Brown Creek, Co in a larger map