Conditions Report (8/2 - 8/4 2019): Palisade Basin, Muir/Ionian area, and Darwin area passes
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:38 am
I consider this a half-effort trip report. So much so that I can't even call it that! A conditions report. I know that if I wait to perfect my trip report, it'll be too far removed, and these conditions pics I took for you fine folks won't be worth much. Please use this little scouting effort and ask questions if needed. Many thanks for what this community does! (And I promise to get old TR's up! ...Think I'm just going to start a website.)
Gear: trekking poles and Altra Lone Peak 4s. No ice axe or microspikes.
Trip: South Lake - Thunderbolt Pass - Knapsack Pass - Dusy Basin - JMT - Black Giant area/Muir Pass - Darwin Bench - Lamarck Col - North Lake
Thunderbolt Pass
About 2/3 way up Thunderbolt, looking back to Upper Dusy
View into Palisade Basin from Thunderbolt Pass
View of Black Giant Pass
Lake below Black Giant Pass. Steep snowfield leading to lake would require a careful traverse from L-R (S to N) here to avoid it. I didn't have time to try it and/or Black Giant.
Nietzsche Col--corniced, it seemed.
I think this is Wanda Pass area
Out of focus, but looking at Davis Lake Pass.
Looking at the likely start of approach to Darwin Col from Darwin Canyon
View of entire approach to Darwin Col--snowless low point right of the peaklet in the center.
View peering at Darwin Col, the snowless low point to the right of the small peaklet left of center.
Obligatory Lamarck Col shot--boot pack on the left of the snowfield.
Gear: trekking poles and Altra Lone Peak 4s. No ice axe or microspikes.
Trip: South Lake - Thunderbolt Pass - Knapsack Pass - Dusy Basin - JMT - Black Giant area/Muir Pass - Darwin Bench - Lamarck Col - North Lake
Thunderbolt Pass
About 2/3 way up Thunderbolt, looking back to Upper Dusy
View into Palisade Basin from Thunderbolt Pass
View of Black Giant Pass
Lake below Black Giant Pass. Steep snowfield leading to lake would require a careful traverse from L-R (S to N) here to avoid it. I didn't have time to try it and/or Black Giant.
Nietzsche Col--corniced, it seemed.
I think this is Wanda Pass area
Out of focus, but looking at Davis Lake Pass.
Looking at the likely start of approach to Darwin Col from Darwin Canyon
View of entire approach to Darwin Col--snowless low point right of the peaklet in the center.
View peering at Darwin Col, the snowless low point to the right of the small peaklet left of center.
Obligatory Lamarck Col shot--boot pack on the left of the snowfield.