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 Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 45 Likes: 11
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 45 Likes: 11 |
I'm headed up there this weekend to backpack into Miter Basin w/Langley climb out of Upper Soldier Lake. From my experiences in past years, NAP will most likely have snow/cornice the last hundred feet or so to the pass. If I recall, I did manage to avoid the cornice and ice on NAP - but I would bring crampons/Ice axe just in case. I watched a YouTube video of a hiker going to Cottonwood Lake #4 last week and OAP had a lot of snow on the north face making it pretty dicey to hike the trail. I've done OAP when we had a very large snow year and I just took the direct route to the pass in the snow/ice using mountaineer tools. If you're going to Langley soon, I'd just take NAP. OAP trail won't be clear of snow until early June. I'll report the conditions later next week when I get back.
I am MtnMike on other Forums and social media
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2 members like this:
sgt.squiggly, Select your Orga |
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: May 2022
Posts: 21 Likes: 7
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Joined: May 2022
Posts: 21 Likes: 7 |
I was there 5/14. Trail conditions are beautiful, HOWEVER, the last 50 - 100 vertical feet of NAP is a snow and ice field. Slip on that you are finito. We did not have an ice axe and were uncomfortable with the idea of attempting with only poles and microspikes with 30+lb packs. Went back down and over to CWL#3. Saw lots of people coming from and going to CWL#4 and #5, not sure if they were going/coming from OAP. I cant imagine OAP being any MORE passable than NAP. If you are comfortable with what I described, then you can get over NAP with little problem. Be safe.
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2 members like this:
fit2climb, Select your Orga |
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 256 Likes: 36
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 256 Likes: 36 |
There was a hiker death on OAP on 5/15.
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,529 Likes: 107
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,529 Likes: 107 |
Here's the Inyo County Sheriff's post on the Old Army Pass accident: Facebook link
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 256 Likes: 36
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 256 Likes: 36 |
This is really a shame. For those reading this, if you have limited experience in snow, and are considering Langley, please do New Army Pass. It may require an extra few miles, but OAP is just not worth it for a lot of the folks who want to climb Langley.
Last edited by BFR; 05/20/22 07:00 PM.
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1 member likes this:
Select your Orga |
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 11
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 11 |
Sad news, a deceased hiker and an injured one on Old Army Pass that took place on May 15th. Old Army pass has tons of snow and ice and shouldn't be attempted without crampons and ice axes.
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 76 Likes: 10
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 76 Likes: 10 |
805 backpacker, kudos to you for not pressing your luck when the conditions are too sketchy. Something Jimmy Chin said that I like to keep in mind: "You keep going until it doesn't make sense."
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 45 Likes: 11
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 45 Likes: 11 |
Went up to Langley on May 23, 2022 NAP is passible. Early morning hard snow the last 30-40 vertical feet from top of NAP turning to sloshy snow around 11am. I used crampons on the ascent but not on the way down. No snow to Langley. Pleasant temps in the day, but cold frigid nights. OAP is NOT passible. Treacherous conditions at the last switchback where I am presuming the fatality occurred. I document all this on YouTube for anyone interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmWXsFq09EsHope this helps!
I am MtnMike on other Forums and social media
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2 members like this:
John JDS, Select your Orga |
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2 |
Thanks for sharing. Great video of the Passes.
paul
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 11
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 11 |
Great info in the vid. Thanks!
Last edited by Select your Orga; 05/25/22 12:33 PM.
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Re: Old Army Pass Conditions
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 11
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 11 |
I wonder about old army pass conditions these days. Anyone has been there lately? Thanks.
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