Mt Starr-King, Yosemite

“Here is a topo map for an outing idea that may be of interest. There's likely to be some snow build up, but from what I've seen so far, a Winter trek up to Mt Starr-King might be do-able over a 3-day weekend. If the Northern summit can not be obtained, the South Summit might be pursued instead. The climb up Starr-King is a class-4 friction ascent from the Northeast and a class-5 friction ascent from the Southeast. If it looks too hairy, we can go up to the saddle and celebrate our time from there.

This one would bring fresh views of Yosemite high country from a different perspective.

The dates are tentatively December 5th, 6th, & 7th.

Here are some photos of a guy's account of the outing: Mt Starr King

Anyone Interested?”

“*perk* I'd certainly be interested in checking this out further! Brrrrr though! YAAAA! I've got fresh rope and harness, will climb.”

“I don't know about any class 4 or 5 stuff...but I'm in :)”

“Hey Wind Walker, with a few pounds of dynamite stashed in a Nalgene® bottle in my Marmot® Talus daypack, I can make any tough class IV into an immediate class II. Heck, I'll make it an easy class I if you want, I'll just need a longer fuse and a couple more Nalgene®'s.”

“I'm in for this one.”

“but Class 4 or 5 is probably a bit too much for me. I'll still enjoy the trip.”

“A thought that occured to me recently...

The JMT is CLOSED (gated) along that route, if I'm reading the map correctly. There is considerable snow and more importantly ice build-up on certain sections of the trail.

Maybe an alternate plan??”

“If there's not at least a 50% chance of dying or getting severely injured, I ain't interested. Well, okay, I'll lower my danger standards for you guys. :^D Hey, as an alternative, we can go live with some grizzlies up in Katmai National Park, or go hop in a barrel and go over Niagra Falls... or backpack into some remote canyons in Afghanistan. LET'S DO IT, LET'S GOOOOOO! You first.”

“Well, Richard and I just looked at the map again (yes we are certainly busy at work). That route is closed, but we may be able to come up on the Mist Trail. I know for sure that you can reach Nevada Falls in the winter...I've been there before.

If for some reasoon we can't make it to Starr King, how about a trip to Merced Lake?

BTW Buck, I've done the Katmai NP thing about 13 years ago. Didn't actually live with the bears though...”

“I'm open to any options you guys come up with. Just let me know where the starting point is.”

“bump”

“So....are we still on for Mount Starr or something else?”

“I'm planning on it, unless I get sick or die.”

“A plan for contingencies is a good idea. Here the daily mileage is low since we're on snowshoes for much of the route.

Three miles xcountry in snowshoes is gonna be grand. Anyone care to cut trail and do the nav work?

Here's a link to the map:

Mt Starr-King

Hope Sylvester will be there to join us.”

“This sounds like a cool trip! Any knowledge of the avalanche exposure on the route you showed? I see lots of topo lines. I wonder if it would be feasible to ski in from the Glacier Point Road but cut-off the road early and hit this mountain from the backside? I'll hafta get my topo maps out. Oh darn!”

“Aside from the big walls, the contour stack up would have to pose an angle of 30 degrees to be concerned. Isn't the angle of repose 25 deg? Unsure about that.

Along with the forecast, it's something to check on.”

“Point 7734 could be a concern in terms of slide prapogation.”

“Propagation, that is.”

“looking forward to this one”

“Me Too!”

“I stink I'm heading to Yoskimmity Valley this weekend. I love that place in the late fall. Any date preference for this Starr-King adventure? I'd like to try and pull it off myself, too!”

“Weekend of December the 5th is what seems to work so far.”

“Here's another. See if you can spot Starr-King and Panorama Point.

Hmm..

”

“Hmmm...

”

“bump”

“hump”

“humping and bumping - sounds interesting”

“It really gets my iimagination going. heheheheh”

“80”

“Are we trying to keep this close to the top...or do Bill and Kathy want to be alone??? LOL!”

“No first names, Michael. :)”

“not alone - i was looking for a group event”

“but really - is this trip still on?”

“Yes it's still on!”

“I don't think I'll make this trip. I'm in the middle of kitchen remodeling, so I'll be lucky to get out closer to home the weekend of the 6th.”

“So what's up with this trip ?”

“I'd like to go on this trip if it gets postponed until after the holidays.”

“Let's put it on the calendar for January then. Wingding might then join us. I'm all for it.

For this weekend, beginning Friday, what about Eagle Peak, around Three Brothers, then camp perched atop El Capitan the final night?



What about Merced Lake? Isn't it like 13 miles out?”

“I wish I could go this weekend. :(”

“I'm out for a while. I'm still having a hard time walking (feet) and currently my ear is so plugged up I can barely hear.

If anybody wants a place to crash for the night, my doors are open...”

“I'm in for January or February.”

“El Capitan,one of the few legal places you can hop off the cliff
with a parachute! Hmmm.”

“Snowy is looking for a trip too!
I can't make Friday...just Sat. and Sun.”

“BTW....I love camping on the rim...it's really cool and the views are awesome.”

“Hmmmm, just noticed this thread and read through the whole thing.

I think the Mist Trail may be closed in the winter. It would be hellish with all that icy mist on the trail. I've hiked to Merced Lake. There's a part where you switchback up the side of a mountain. Seems like it would be steep enough for avalanches.”

“Yes, without checking, the Mist Trail is likely closed. Usually is for the Winter. I've been on the JMT (switchbacks) in December before through to Little Yosemite Valley. Sometimes this section is closed as well due to rockfall potential. This happens in earlier months too.

Plus, the gate beyond Clark Point is likely to be closed. Some folks just go past that, if they want to risk the massive icicles above Nevada Falls.”

“Well, let's just see if this one might be a go in January. An overnighter for a Western Sierra approach from Orange County is a looooong drive. I've got four days away from the office coming up this weekend and
I've had my eye on a couple of local areas as well.

Granite Mountain (map) - This one is a loop where you get to climb Rabbit Peak, Round Top Mtn., Granite Mtn., and Iron Mtn.(#2). A great hike and lots of peaks for several miles of crosscountry travel. Check out the map.

Josephine Peak (map) - Just because it has a beautiful name and I've explored this area except for this location. I won't solo Strawberry Peak next to it as it's a hairy class-3 climb (so I've heard). Might just check out the route anyway and get photos.

Hike on!”

“Josephine Peak is one I've been wanting to do too tekdude.”