[pct-l] Mt Goddard , last week in June

["Joanne Lennox" <goforth@cio.net>]

----------
> From: Joanne Lennox <goforth@cio.net>
> To: Roger Koide <rxk13@psu.edu>
> Subject: Re: 
> Date: Friday, February 26, 1999 3:06 AM
> 
> I did a 10 day trip in that area last year late August with R. F. Secor,
> who has written the" High Sierra: Peaks, Passes and Trails".  We climbed
10
> peaks and did a lot of comparing of experiences in the High sierras.
> 
> I have been to the Mt. Goddard region 6 times in the last week in June. 
It
> sounds like you are talking about crossing the Evolution Valley area to
get
> to Goddard.  I can help you more if you are more specific about your
actual
> route, but will simply answer your questions below in the meantime.
> 
> ----------
> > From: Roger Koide <rxk13@psu.edu>
> > To: pct-l-digest@backcountry.net
> > Subject: 
> > Date: Friday, February 26, 1999 4:27 AM
> > 
> > I have not been backpacking in the sierras for over 20 years so I have
a
> > few questions.  I would appreciate any help.  We would like to spend a
> week
> > in the Mt. Goddard region in the last week of June.  We will enter from
> the
> > east side (Sabrina or North Lake?).
> 
> A week is not a lot time to get to Goddard from Sabrina and back, if you
> are doing a lot of cross-country. Remember that you will be starting at
> above 9,000 ft. and acclimitization takes time.
>  
> > 1. Will I need to have an ice axe to cross large and steep portions of
> snow?
> 
>  You will need an ice ax, if you are going cross-country or traveling
> though any of the major Cols.
> 
> > 
> > 2. Should I carry a rope?
> 
> It depends on what you are going to do.  Chances are if you really need a
> rope, you will need other technical equipment as well.( like a steep icey
> snow pitch),  a smaller rope may be handy if there is a cornice on any of
> the cols.)
> > 
> > 3. Is there bear trouble in that part?  If so, what is the best way to
> > avoid feeding them?  Has anyone had experience with homemade PVC
> bear-proof
> > food containers?
> > 
> > 4. Will mosquitos be a problem?  I was planning on taking only a tarp
for
> > shelter to save weight.
> 
> If mosquitoes are a problem, they will be a REAL problem.  At that time
of
> year, it depends completely on the previous weeks weather.  A few
freezing
> nights, and there are no mosquitoes.  a week of warm nights and days, the
> mosquitoes will drive you to distraction even on high peaks and passes.
> > 
> > 5.  Will the high passes be passable at that time of year (Echo col,
> > Keyhole, etc.)?
> 
> Some passes will be okay and others will not, probably all of them will
> have steep snow on the south sides and icey snow on the NOrth.  The trail
> passes will be easier but may also have snow.
> 
> I went over Echo Col the end of August last year and would not recommend
> it.  It requires real route-finding, and is quite steep on the north
side. 
> It is a steep sided very narrow notch that requires high 3 class
> climbing(some in the pacific Northwest would call it Class 4,( you need
to
> use handholds.)  If any of this area had ice on it , it would be quite
> difficult.  The real difficulties do not stop once you are through the
Col.
>  The rock and snow below is steep, and the traverse above the lake is
very
> confusing  - alternating cliff bands, and gullies, small benches, and 
> steep boulder fields. There is no "small bench" to traverse as the
> description says.  YOu need to stay high above the lake until you get
> almost to the outlet stream.  If this area is completely snow filled,
some
> sections will be easier and others harder. Take crampons!
> 
> The Keyhole is also a more difficult Col.  Secor recommends Lamarck Col
> just South of it.  it will still need an ice ax and maybe crampons, the
> North side has a steep section.  It was icey in late August at the end of
> the day when we crossed it, if there had not been large bucket steps, we
> would have needed crampons.
> 
> You might think about exiting Bishop pass, or over Haekal Col (still
> steep,will need ice ax, and maybe crampons) which is easier than Keyhole
or
> Echo Col
> 
> Goforth
> > 
> > Thanks for your help.
> > 
> > Roger Koide
> > 
> > __________________________________________________
> > ROGER T. KOIDE
> > Professor
> > Department of Horticulture
> > Penn State University
> > University Park, PA 16802 USA
> > FAX (814) 863-6139
> > PH (814) 863-0710
> > email RXK13@psu.edu
> > * From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net
 
> *
> 
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