Re: Wilson group logistics
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:29 am
I like the Navajo Basin approach, it's very pretty. Silver Pick up to RoA saddle is an endless ocean of scree where you seem to go for miles without gaining much elevation.
I'm not sure there's an "easy" route up the Mt. Wilson massif, but I did North Buttress last September and the route was pretty solid. Unless I was doing it wrong, your options narrow considerably on the last couple hundred feet below near the ridge. You may have to so some brief stemming, but if you're completely at a wall it's time to back up. Study the retreat before committing to a move near the ridge.
One suggestion if you're doing the traverse, and discover on summit day that you packed directions for the wrong mountain. That southeast-facing chute that starts near the summit of El Diente is NOT the way up, through, around, over or especially down. You mostly stay within 100 feet of the ridge, usually on the south side. There are cairns, look for them.
I'm not sure there's an "easy" route up the Mt. Wilson massif, but I did North Buttress last September and the route was pretty solid. Unless I was doing it wrong, your options narrow considerably on the last couple hundred feet below near the ridge. You may have to so some brief stemming, but if you're completely at a wall it's time to back up. Study the retreat before committing to a move near the ridge.
One suggestion if you're doing the traverse, and discover on summit day that you packed directions for the wrong mountain. That southeast-facing chute that starts near the summit of El Diente is NOT the way up, through, around, over or especially down. You mostly stay within 100 feet of the ridge, usually on the south side. There are cairns, look for them.