High Sierra Topix

Not to be morbid, but isn't the pass NW of Gardiner exactly where Gregory Muck died a couple of summers ago?

Yes, but the news stories didn't say whether he fell while crossing the pass, or maybe while ascending the ridge towards Gardiner's summit. In any case, I would still love to hear from anyone who has actually crossed the pass.

I considered this pass as a shortcut from the lower lakes below gardiner pass, but it looked too dicey with a full pack, so my brother and I took the scenic route, which was a long slog, but worth the extra time. Beautiful country!

I wonder what makes a pass change so much. I went over the pass 3 times in the 90s and it was just plain easy. From the pass I went up once and down twice on Charlotte creek and that was a little bit difficult.

I went over this pass, west to east, on July 30. Made for a fun little high route through the basin: Gardiner Pass, Gardiner Pass East, 60 Lakes Col. It's an unproblematic Class 2. One minor thing to be aware of: the approach on the west seemed easiest on the north side of the pass, but the only way down on the east was on the south side of the pass. Fortunately, the ridge itself can easily be traversed.

Thanks for the beta zberstein, and welcome to HST!