maverick 05-12 -2016

maverick 05-10 -2016

maverick 05-10 -2016

maverick 04-28 -2016

maverick 04-19 -2016

maverick 04-07 -2016

maverick 03-31 -2016

maverick 03-21 -2016

maverick 03-21 -2016

maverick 03-14 -2016

maverick 03-14 -2016

Class 2 pass between Matterhorn Canyon and Spiller Creek.
From Matterhorn Canyon ascend easy class 2 grassy slopes lined with smaller talus until about 150 feet on steeper terrain takes you to the top of the pass. It may be possible to maintain climbing class 2 slopes but I had at least one 15 foot section of class 3 before I reached the top.

From the top you have two options. The first which is the only one talked about in guide books is to turn right and climb slightly higher to enter a very steep loose chute. Looking at this chute at the time I simply said screw that! Perhaps once in it it's not as bad as it looked to me but I would use caution while in it.

The other option which I took is to turn left and begin up the ridge a bit towards Matterhorn Peak. You will find yourself on a steep hill side with loose sandy and sometimes vertical class 3 climbing. Extreme caution should be used to safely navigate down this.

To be fair my over all opinion of this pass might be a bit over stated in caution due to the fact that extremely high ice cold winds turned it into a terrifying experience. - RoguePhotonic 05 Nov 2013 08:25 pm

More Matterhorn Pass Info on HST

ERIC 03-13 -2016

Class 3. This Pass leads between Spiller Creek and the upper most area of Virginia Canyon and Virginia Lake. Both sides consist of class 3 ledges and chutes. From Spiller Creek ascend easy grass slopes until you find yourself casually talus hoping with large patches of easy terrain in between. One large pile of talus is sloping down from the pass a bit on the right. Ascend this until it narrows into class 3 rock that must be climbed until the top. From here you must navigate down a tricky mess of class 3 shelves where it's not so easy to see ahead to plan properly. Climb at an angle down to your right. - RoguePhotonic 05 Nov 2013 08:49 pm

More Stanton Pass Info on HST

ERIC 03-13 -2016

Class 2. Connects Upper McCabe Lake and Roosevelt Lake. Loose talus and snow can be expected on its north side. From Upper McCabe Lake go around the Southern shore until you reach a rib coming down blocking your view of the pass. It's best to stay at lake level as climbing the rib puts you in some tricky rock mixed with some small trees. From here I cannot give much insight into the climb to the top as the snow cover was about 95% however the slopes were easily climbed without the need of an ice axe. The Southern slope takes you down easy terrain. I stayed in or near a small chute directly in the center of the pass. - RoguePhotonic 05 Nov 2013 09:07 pm

More Don't Be a Smart Pass Info on HST

ERIC 03-13 -2016

Class 1 pass between Duck Lake and Deer Lakes. If following the Mammoth Crest Trail the trail will become extremely indistinct after passing the middle lake of the Deer Lakes. Continue up easy slopes until nearing the pass itself. Most maps show a trail going to the right up and over a hump 400 feet higher. Ignore this flaw and aim for the obvious low saddle. You will climb a talus slope with a few bits of a use trail until the terrain radically changes into easy class 1 terrain. Continue along this gaining a bit more altitude until you cross the final low saddle and begin down the pass on more class 1 terrain. Although a use trail can be followed off of the pass it fades away before long. - RoguePhotonic 05 Nov 2013 09:30 pm

More Deer Pass Info on HST

ERIC 03-10 -2016

Class 3 pass. Leave the cross-country route to Glacier Notch where the stream from Elinore Lake meets the stream descending from the cirque between Temple crag and Mount Gayley. Hike up the open chute west of the stream that descends from Elinore Lake; the easiest route is on the eastern side of the chute. Cintinue south from Elinore Lake, aiming for the flat spot on the ridge leading west up to the Sierra crest. Follow the ridge up to the pass skirting the permanent snowfield northeast of the Palisade Crest. From the west, climb to the northeast from Lake 11672 ft. Instead of going to the low point immediately southeast of Mount Jepson, climb onto the northwest shoulder of Palisade Crest. The correct crossing is approx 200 ft above the saddle; it can be easily identified once the ridge leading down to the east is seen.

More Scimitar Pass Info on HST

ERIC 03-10 -2016

Always easy to get a permit - always open. Use trail evident.

copeg 03-11 -2016

maverick 02-29 -2016

maverick 02-25 -2016

maverick 02-25 -2016