tragic incident on Mt Baldy, CA

[derekesq]

Not a lot of details, but three hikers died on Mount Baldy in CA. Bad weather conditions. I saw a report where it stated one had fallen 500 feet.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-h ... 01898.html

[nyker]

That's a shame. Baldy is another one of those underrated mountains which is straightforward to hike in summer conditions, but turns into a much harder outing with more severe consequences in winter. There are several seasonally sketchy spots, which in summer conditions you normally wouldn't think twice about crossing, but in winter are not forgiving which with the erratic weather around there forms a lot of persistent ice and firm snow near those dropoffs.

[Violet]

Fatal accidents happened on Mt. Whitney in 2025 also, which is surprising. Both happened after the restriction time for permit to hike, in October and December. And both of the accidents happened on the 99 switchbacks area.

I feel these two mountains share some in common: in summer condition, they are friendly and easygoing . In Winter, the situation can be totally opposite. I have been to Mt. Whitney twice. 1st time, in February, the road was very icy…. The icy situation was bad there, the top was covered with fresh snow, u think with good hiking boots , should be fine to walk on. But No, under the fresh snow, it was completely hard ice….. The second time , in July, 99 switchbacks was nothing, very easy to go through, except streams kept flowing down, which can change into ice in winter condition and can be very dangerous.

[nyker]

Saw that. Agree with you both peaks are deceptively easy in summer conditions, but transform into very different climbs in winter conditions. The fact that both are a relatively short drive from sea level and within easy reach for 20+million people make them bound to see problems unfortunately especially given their popularity and easier reputation in warmer months. \

The switchbacks do have some no fall zones, particularly higher up where the cables are which even if there is no snow on the trail up until that point, it only takes an inch of packed snow or ice in that section to make that area more difficult without traction magnifying the consequence of a slip that isn't stopped. Worse is that an axe would likely be of limited help in that specific area since the trail is too narrow and hard to get purchase and the terrain immediately underneath the riskier areas may not hold snow and is more rock (With that said, in the right snow conditions an ice axe is essential equipment on most other steeper parts of the mountain, both MR and Main Trail).

[Violet]

Yes, I agree. It is narrow near cables area. The ice there made me have a different experience from that in Colorado. I don’t know why.

[Wildernessjane]

I saw this post on Facebook by a SAR member indicating that Microspikes were being used in all three cases: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KrENg ... tid=wwXIfr. I’ve never trusted Microspikes on anything consequential as I’ve had too many break or simply fall off. It seems like this topic comes up on here every now and then.

[Istoodupthere]

I saw this post on Facebook by a SAR member indicating that Microspikes were being used in all three cases: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KrENg ... tid=wwXIfr. I’ve never trusted Microspikes on anything consequential as I’ve had too many break or simply fall off. It seems like this topic comes up on here every now and then.

Interesting. I was in So Cal 6 or 7 years ago visiting my parents for Christmas and decided to do some hiking around San Jacinto. I didn’t have time to summit unfortunately. The rangers there were requiring everyone to use micro spikes. How things have changed.

[Wildernessjane]

I saw this post on Facebook by a SAR member indicating that Microspikes were being used in all three cases: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KrENg ... tid=wwXIfr. I’ve never trusted Microspikes on anything consequential as I’ve had too many break or simply fall off. It seems like this topic comes up on here every now and then.

Interesting. I was in So Cal 6 or 7 years ago visiting my parents for Christmas and decided to do some hiking around San Jacinto. I didn’t have time to summit unfortunately. The rangers there were requiring everyone to use micro spikes. How things have changed.

To be clear, they were saying to use actual crampons versus microspikes.

[Istoodupthere]

I saw this post on Facebook by a SAR member indicating that Microspikes were being used in all three cases: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KrENg ... tid=wwXIfr. I’ve never trusted Microspikes on anything consequential as I’ve had too many break or simply fall off. It seems like this topic comes up on here every now and then.

Interesting. I was in So Cal 6 or 7 years ago visiting my parents for Christmas and decided to do some hiking around San Jacinto. I didn’t have time to summit unfortunately. The rangers there were requiring everyone to use micro spikes. How things have changed.

To be clear, they were saying to use actual crampons versus microspikes.

Yes, that’s my point. All of these accidents are happening with people wearing spikes yet when I was in the area the rangers were telling everyone they had to wear spikes.