Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Current Conditions Telescope Peak?

Anyone have any idea how much snow is up on Telescope right now? Planning a climb in the next two weeks. It's been dry again this winter, but I wouldn't want to count out snow/ice as it is above 11K. Any info would be appreciated - thanks!

I don't have any particular knowledge, but I would carry the crampons, that's for sure.

I'd also call the DV Vistor Center to determine whether the gate just above the charcoal kilns is open. Otherwise, the road walk adds about 2 miles and 1,000' elevation. From the kilns, the hike changes from a 14 mile, 3K' hike to an 18 mile, 4K' hike.

BTW - Just looked at your website. Like the pics of the bowl above Consultation Lake on Whitney and the view descending Misery Hill on Shasta - am pretty sure that's the Thumb, isn't it?

SteveC: always travel safe; just curious whether I could get by with microspikes. Consensus seems to be no.

KevinR: Going to attempt the Shortys Well traverse again. It leaves from the valley proper, and heads up Havanaupaugh (sp) Canyon to the summit. Got 3/4 of the way up last year before a storm rolled in and started dumping snow on us. Conditions look good this year weather wise; but we'll see how we do once we clear the 8K mark. Also, you're right on some of those photos, yes.

Not familiar with that route, but have done it several times from Mahogany Flats. The conventional wisdom is that if there's any snow on the eastern slope of the last 1K', then go straight up the spine of the ridge from the north, using crampons. Microspikes just won't cut it.

lastadventurer wrote:
> Going to attempt the Shortys Well traverse again

Whoa! That is an epic hike! Please post a report if you try it again. What are you doing for training?

Hey guys, we made it back alive. Was busy doing other stuff the last two weeks, but finally got the write up done, which I'll link to below. In terms of snow conditions, the snowline was running at ~9000 feet on 3/14/15, and was patchy. Up closer to 10K, definitely solid, more drifts, but nothing above a foot. We did not clear 10K feet, but from what I could see/experienced of the peak, everything was already melting pretty fast, and I don't think it will last much longer than end of April - if that. Anyhow, it was an epic trip. If you want pictures, or to read about it, check the link here: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/shortyswellroute

Thanks for the help!

Wow! I read your entire report! Do you have a gps track from your trip? I'd like to post it.

And I still want to know what you do for conditioning, or how you prepared for such a hike. The hike is a fantasy for me, and it may remain just that.

I also enjoyed reading the trip report. As I read it I couldn't help thinking that this kind of challenge is right up Steve's alley. "...may..."