Missing friend in Mammoth Lakes area

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List

This thread has been locked

Messages 241 - 260 of total 2002 in this topic

<< First | < Previous | Show All | Next > | Last >>

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Aug 10, 2013 - 03:11pm PT

Good luck Dean, be safe.

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Aug 10, 2013 - 05:24pm PT

Ron

Also as Crag has mentioned the gullys have been melted out entirely. More moving rock exposed and possibly harder to negotiate

Excellent point. I ran directly into this problem last week in the Tetons. Loose rock and gravel was a major obstacle on normally steep but otherwise straightforward snow approaches. Requiring significant extra caution and effort.
I'm also leaning towards the Cecile Lake - SE Ritter traverse. Looks deceptively easy.
Good luck to the searchers and stay safe out there.

this just in

climber

north fork

Aug 10, 2013 - 05:36pm PT

I summited Ritter on Wednesday, August 7th from the westside. We came in from hemlock crossing, stayed close to Stevenson meadow, and approached through Ritter lakes. The snow was minimal on the western slope, but all the north facing slopes were packed with steep, wind blown snow. Unfortunately I didn't pay too much attention to the register, two parties summited on Aug 5th but neither were Matt. Wish I had taken a better look and hope he is found soon.
Regards,
Justin

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Aug 10, 2013 - 06:50pm PT

after re-reading the entire thread
and considering Matt's decision to take
axe
crampons
mountain boots

Also, Matt climbed Clyde Minaret on July 11, 6 days before he went missing so he had some familiarity with conditions in the region.

Yet he specifically took tools for climbing steep hard snow or ice.
Therefore he was very likely intent on a snow/ice climb.

Matt also has a lot of experience in the backcountry and on long hikes. A 30 mile day would be nothing for Matt to consider. He would feel comfortable doing most solo hikes/climbs in the park and surrounding areas.

This would put him within a day's round trip reach of any of the Minarets, Ritter and Banner.
But given what he carried, the rock routes would be unlikely.

From Cragman's photo yesterday, I would think that the three routes on the North face of the Clyde Minaret would still require a snow/ice approach.
I have traversed the ice field below them, it's a spectacular and exposed location.
They are all 4th class and I believe they are seldom done. Left to right they are
Starr's Route (historical significance)
Rock Route (still requires ice field approach)
Glacier Route (Norma Clyde), only 1 4th class move.
(Secor, 3d edition, page 380 with excellent photo on P381)

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Aug 10, 2013 - 07:00pm PT

I know it sounds crazy, but could he have gotten a ride/shuttle/hitched to north peak/Dana?

With his car in a garage, how long was the work going to take to fix it? I would be gone as many days as it would take, 3-day job etc. just ideas.

John Mac

Trad climber

Littleton, CO

Aug 10, 2013 - 07:09pm PT

When i had my head gasket done it took three days. Yes, it was a subi.

TeddyKGBee

Trad climber

Chester Springs

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 08:52pm PT

Hi-

Local search group is out there now. Got a question about Michael Minaret. Has anyone been out there recently or is planning to go? Also, any beta on a likely route that would require snow tools?

Thanks,
Tom

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Aug 10, 2013 - 08:58pm PT

Tom,
See my note above ^^^^
Three routes on N Side of Clyde would require ice tools.

If you meant on the Michael Minaret, I don't know.

TeddyKGBee

Trad climber

Chester Springs

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 09:05pm PT

Thank you Cragman- I will let the team know. Did you talk with Jill?

Thanks,
Tom

TeddyKGBee

Trad climber

Chester Springs

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 09:07pm PT

Yes, sorry. I was referring to Michael Minaret. I passed along your suggestions to the team.

Tom

TeddyKGBee

Trad climber

Chester Springs

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 09:08pm PT

Details on Guidebook:

Secor 3 rd edition pages 369 to 398

mtnyoung

Trad climber

Twain Harte, California

Aug 10, 2013 - 10:49pm PT

Good luck Dean and all of you who are giving so much time and effort to a fellow climber.

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Aug 10, 2013 - 10:54pm PT

Good luck Dean and Doug!

10b4me

Ice climber

Wishes-He-Was-In-Arizona

Aug 10, 2013 - 10:56pm PT

Good luck Dean

TeddyKGBee

Trad climber

Chester Springs

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2013 - 11:04pm PT

Dean- Thank you so much. Just heard from Jill and she mentioned that you talked. Best of luck, but most importantly, please be safe. You're (and Doug)truly a great person for doing this.

Tom