April 12th and 13th, 2008
Finding Desolation in the Crystal Range
Joe
Day #2 - Sunday, 4/13/08 - Lake Aloha to Mt Price to Clyde Lake to Fallen Leaf Lake
Agassiz and Price rise above a frozen Lake Aloha
So after a long and satisfying day #1 where I hauled the big pack from Fallen Leaf to Aloha and then had an amazing climb and ski on Agassiz, I was ready for day #2. And Mt Price was the obvious next objective for me. Although skiing it right back down to Aloha was too similar to the Agassiz ski to sound really appealing. Instead I decided to venture off the North side down to Clyde Lake and return to Aloha via Mosquito Pass. A picture Mike Schwartz had posted on thebackcountry.net, taken from Jacks made this seldom visited line look quite appealing. Here's Mike's shot:
So I took my time making breakfast in the sun, packing up the camp and the big pack before I headed back up to the Crystal Range.
Morning glory of my tracks on Agassiz (if you look closely):
5 grain mix with dehydrated blueberries and coffee from the french press for breakfast.
Today's object, Mt. Price:
My route back - Mosquito Pass:
A disappointing sight in Desolation Wilderness:
Up the super bowl I go. Already perfect corn at 10:00 AM.
Here's a bunch of views back towards Agassiz and my tracks off the North facing headwall. What a killer peak!
What a summit block!
A couple of nice chutes appeared just south of the summit of Price. Unfortunately I had to pass on them....
Booting the final 100 feet to the ridge line resulted in wallowing in deep hollow snow against the warming rocks. Fortunately the rocks provided enough holds for this hack to climb them up to the ridge.
When I arrived at the ridge I was disappointed to see a tough scramble ahead of me to the summit. I decided to leave it for another day and just ski from where I was. I'll just have to come back to Price with Lissie sometime in the Summer.
Deep hollow slush for 5 turns and then endless fields of corn forever.
I had to ski the top headwall fast to make sure I was out of the way of anything that wanted to move on me:
I hung a Larry and headed North towards Clyde Lake. The middle section was a huge featureless open field of corn. The lower shot down to Clyde Lake was a long and perfect pitch:
West side of Jacks. Not a bad run either!
Rockbound Valley to the North:
So I skied and skied and skied. Looking back up towards Price from Clyde Lake:
Tracks:
As I skinned up to Mosquito Pass the entire line came into view:
View of my tracks and slough off the top of the headwall:
A unique view of the top of West Bowl at Sierra with Round Top in the distance from Mosquito Pass:
Lake Aloha. We'll be swimming here in 3 months!
Price is Nice:
A weekend of fun in behind me:
Saw some folks in the very far distance skinning up and skiing near Peak 9,686' That is a long, consistent pitch.
No peanut butter in a toothpaste tube for me. If Steeleman hears about Justin's he'll try to buy it by the case!
The pack is loaded and ready to depart.
On my way out I caught the assholes in the act. Six snowmobilers crossing Heather Lake.
I also noticed some of the havoc the warm weather wreaked on Cracked Crag. Notice the little wet slides just right of center? Now look at the monster wet slide on the left side of the picture.
Here's a closer look. Scary!
Almost. Through. The. Hard. Part.
Glen Alpine Springs!
Lily Lake!
And the Truck!
Click here to see Day #1 - Mt Agassiz
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