NOT easier! Suicide Col
MUCH easier! Or Russel-Carillon Pass.
While there is little risk of getting lost, it is real cross country travel, with some definite problems with route finding (finding a path). Serious bushwacking at the beginning. You are not likely to see anybody.
I've not been over this pass, or in that branch of Geo Creek. I went up to do the climb of Williamson from that side. (quite a wonderful trip)
I remember it well, this was the trip when I left my heavy-duty
BOOTS at home! Fortunately, I was wearing a pair of lightweight boots, so I could do the trip. However, at the end of the trip, they were destroyed, and I had to throw them out. The leather of the body was actually torn open in many places, from the sharp rocks of the route.
RJ says that this is a classic route of the Sierra, that any mountaineer should do once. Just getting to the trailhead is a challenge.
By the way, here is an interesting compilation of Sierra Passes:
http://sierrabackpacker.com/sierrapasses-new.htmQuestion: Which pass in the Whitney area is missing from that list?
