Baldy Bowl (01.19.23)

The Baldy Bowl [01.19.23] - The idea was to hike up the trail with no commitment while observing conditions and practicing caution. We reached the Ski Hut by 7:30 AM. Starting early was a critical part of avoiding melting snow and worsening conditions. However, we knew that it didn't promise a successful summit push. The entire route was covered in a thick layer of ice, which made taking breaks very tedious. Experience with a real self arrest was absolutely critical, as a fall would easily send someone down hundreds of feet in a matter of seconds. Softball sized ice chunks would come tumbling down the slope every now and then. Contact could have been fatal, but we all wore helmets and shared the responsibility of calling out its presence. We ended up ascending the Zen chute by about 10 AM.
I was able to test out the new TRVRS Outdoors windbreaker. It held up in 35 mile per hour winds and fit over my helmet. The only issue I had was that it kept flying off in the wind, but in those conditions, both my Salomon/Outdoor Research jackets would do the same. I am very excited to release this item very soon.
Required gear:
10 point crampons (not 8 point, and not microspikes - know the difference)
helmet,
ice axe (and real self arrest experience),
trekking poles,
mountaineering boots or a very stiff hiking boot meant for use with crampons,
plenty of clothing,
plenty of water,
sun protection,
everything you need to spend the night in case of an emergency (sleeping bag, emergency bivvy).
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::TRIP REPORTS::
Transverse Ranges (So Cal) ► bit.ly/2VEiY03
Sierra Nevada Range ► bit.ly/2HtFIMl

[@davidfeiler1279]

Congrats on summiting in tough conditions!

[@trvrsoutdoors]

Thanks! I was gonna reply by saying that conditions were actually pretty good, but while the weather mostly played a long, I can agree that these were less than optimal conditions. haha. Thank you again.

[@justrione]

Heck yes. Thank you for all the information

[@gilbertmedina1837]

What was your gear load out and how long did the ascent take from bowl base to ridge? Did you encounter anything unexpected?

[@trvrsoutdoors]

Ice axe, crampons, microspikes, and enough equipment to spend the night. We made it from the base to the ridge in two hours and 40 minutes. I can't say we didn't expect the conditions mentioned in the description. It's pretty standard stuff to have massive ice chunks being hurled down the mountain at you.