South Lake to North Lake via Lamarck Col

“...and now you know why.”

“gonzo - Three (or four) of us live not far from Ontario Airport. We can figure out transportation when we get closer to the actual date.”

“sounds good, phil....what about the wilderness permit situation??

i've read all the posts on here and i am a little confused (as usual)....several people mentioned that they were getting extra permits, and someone mentioned that their name was on the list twice....

do you think that i will need to get my own permit?? or is it probably too late to even obtain a single permit??

i can get off work, and i checked on flights and they were reasonable....as i understand it, the hike begins on sunday, so would a saturday morning flight into ontario probably be the best plan??”

“gonzo - I have not been keeping track of the permit situation. I know I am on someone elses permit.

Good question about when to fly in. I suppose we will be driving north on the Saturday morning. Since you gain three hours flying this direction, either flying in Friday night or real early on Saturday should work. I would lean toward Friday night. It is a 5 hour drive mostly across desert to the trailhead area.”

“There's an Oracle implementation going on at the company and I'm in the thick of it. An MS project plan was put up on the overhead projector this afternoon and those timeline dates were getting way too close to these July dates. Way too close. If something in the project goes sideways and the dates slip, there's a chance I'll be asked to stick around. Which of course will lead to the requisite flip out episode. LOL.

Really, gonna have to try and get in front of this thing so that whatever happens, I'm not there during that week.”

“I'm headed out a week earlier than you guys, South Lake to North Lake. Since I'm hiking alone I was going to take a peek into the Ionian via Black Giant, although from the map I'm not what kind of cross-country it's going to be from there. I expect a LOT of snow. Pics posted on other sites are snow free, ie late August. I was going to do the mileage route on the JMT to the Piute Canyon Trail, but the idea of crossing the Col is appealing from Darwin Canyon. Has anyone in your group done this with snow on both sides? And, ice ax/crampons? I wasn't planning on carrying either. Thanks,

marmot”

“It would be nice to get some rock solid reports on trail conditions before we head out!!! Kind of hard sometimes. We can scope out some Yahoo groups and see what we can find.

Good luck! I would hesitate to go cross country much if I was solo.

Is this the marmot that was formerly SARboy, or a different marmot?”

“Hey Phil - I just got a note from Marmot & Otter today. It sounds like they are doing well, and are taking a bit of a break this spring to get into some tour kayaking”

“Over the 4th of July, I'm heading out from North Lake to Humphrey Basin with a few others; so I'll have some idea of conditions.”

“winding - Good. I am concerned about how much snow there will be at the passes and especially the last cross-country route back to North Lake. I bought some maps today and was talking to someone at Sport Chalet. They couldn't get over Bishop Pass last June and had to turn around. We will have to assess things best we can as the time approaches.”

“but there can be a big difference between June and the 11th of July”

“wingding - I agree. I have seen snow melt off very quickly. The problem in the Sierras is getting good information from others. I find reports greatly biased by the type of hiker that is reporting. What is considered easy navigating for some people is not necessarily easy for everyone.”

“I have a customer who lived in Tahoe for decades and has hiked extensively in the Bishop area, and he says most cols in the area are fairly easy walk-ups, and that by the time we reach the choice between Muir pass (shortcut) and Black Giant pass (Ionian), we will know whether Wanda pass is doable.”

“Slugman - Thanks. I spent about an hour looking at my new maps, tekdudes, maps, and reading Secor. I should copy what Secor says about the route.

Secor does say that the Lamarck Col route is very popular, but challenging.

If Lamarck Col is not passable, it could be a long way back or around.”

“Yes, that would be a real bummer. We need perhaps a backup plan if the available beta right before the hike is that Lamarck is a no-go.”

“I'm a totally different Marmot. :)

You guys are right about the backup plan. If Lamarck is too difficult, you're SOL time-wise. If the Ionian looks too hard because of snow, another cross-country alternative is to take the "other" Wanda pass over to Davis Lakes, then to Martha Lake and down Goddard Canyon to the PCT junction. For me it would be four days to return to South Lake or 2.5 to North Lake. Looping back to South Lake might be a good Plan B, certainly a challenge. I've done the Piute Canyon trail before to North Lake. It's straightforward and should just be patchy snow.

marmot”

“I'll be coming back out on the 9th. I'll post a trail conditions update on the South Lake bulletin board at the trailhead. If I run into anyone who has done Darwin Canyon and the Col, I'll certainly include it.

marmot”

“thanks Marmot”

“ Lamarck Col (taken from Mt Lamarck 13,417') on July 13 last year


Looking up at Lamarck Col from the tarn below”

“That was July 13. Snow is probably not much different than we could expect then. Do you know which way they went over Lamark Col?”

“Similar pics to the excellent ones from snownymph.

http://community.webshots.com/album/87200769CaUBqa/0

This shows the correct path going up from the tarn. Take the short route up to the rocks.

marmot”

“Who's still on this trip? Who has extra space on their permit? I think there are some people who want to get on this trip if there is room.”

“I am still in on this trip.

I was talking with some people who live up in Mammoth and this year has seen alot of snow fall up in the sierras. Way over the amount of last year. Hope the snow melts up through the passes by July.”

“I'm still on for the trip and I'm on Geologyguys permit, right geologyguy? Geologyguy?”

“What Rockman said.

wingding - Thanks for the snow report. This could be interesting.”

“I'm still on the trip.
I have T-girl on my permit.
Tommy says he going too. We'll see if any spaces open up as time gets closer.”

“Tommy is going! Great!!”

“I'm in. I've got the names [including Rockman, wannabp, Jerry] at home, I'll check them tonight. Hopefully everyone can make it, and if not open up some spece for others.”

“Yea!!! Sir Naviguesser has me on his permit so I'm still in.I can't wait.This trip is gonna ROCK!! woohoo : D”

“Are dogs allowed on this hike? I'm not bringing one but I have hankering for hiking with a dog and I don't want to do dishes. :)”

“C'mon WD, I know you wanna do the trip!”

“I'm going on the trip.

Gonzo is looking for space on a permit.”

“No, I mean the High Sierra Trail.”

“I am sadly going to have to drop out of this trip. My significant other is still unemployed, and I just can't afford the time off in July. Most of my bp-ing (longer than three days, my normal "weekend") this year will have to be Sept-Oct-ish. It makes me want to cry, to be honest, but what can you do? I am on geologyguy's permit, so that opens up a space. Have fun, y'all, and be sure to post trip reports and pictures for all those who couldn't go!”

“Slugman, Sorry to hear you can't make it.”

“I'm still on and have room for one on my five person permit if Buddur still can't make it.”

“Geologyguy - I'm going to try to come in on the East side and hook up with you guys at Wallace Creek for next year's HST. Maybe I can help out with the shuttle somehow.”

“WD, Thanks!”

“Sorry to hear you won't make it Slugman. I was looking forward to having a co-pilot for road trip
:-(”

“Slugman - Bummer. Was looking forward to meeting you...maybe next time!”

“We're still coming. Hopefully, Jerry's shoulder won't be a problem and I won't have to carry his gear. Ha! Wannabp and Jerry/Landscaper.”

“Bummer Slug, and so soon!”

“Thanks for the kind words, all. I was going to wait untill closer to the date of the trip to cancel, in hopes that I wouldn't have to, but that wouldn't be fair to others who need to make their plans. When the probability of my being able to go dropped below 25%, and others wanted to join up, I decided to bow to the inevitable. My fiance Tanja offered to put our July mortgage payment on her credit card so that I could still go, but I just don't believe in charging luxuries that can't be paid back in a short time. I will console myself with a few shorter trips here in WA, and the pictures of the trip that you folks will post. My biggest regret is in not meeting 15 or so great folks from around the country! Now I AM going to cry! I am only 45, so, God willing, we may meet yet on a future trip.”

“"Are dogs allowed on this hike? I'm not bringing one but I have hankering for hiking with a dog and I don't want to do dishes. :)"
Rockman
02:52:44 PM
04/22/04
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"C'mon WD, I know you wanna do the trip!"
geologyguy
05:32:02 PM
04/22/04
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"I'm going on the trip.

Gonzo is looking for space on a permit."
wingding04
12:22:16 AM
04/23/04
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"No, I mean the High Sierra Trail."
geologyguy
08:30:31 AM
04/23/04
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"I am sadly going to have to drop out of this trip. My significant other is still unemployed, and I just can't afford the time off in July. Most of my bp-ing (longer than three days, my normal "weekend") this year will have to be Sept-Oct-ish. It makes me want to cry, to be honest, but what can you do? I am on geologyguy's permit, so that opens up a space. Have fun, y'all, and be sure to post trip reports and pictures for all those who couldn't go!"
Slugman
09:01:23 AM
04/23/04
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"Slugman, Sorry to hear you can't make it."
geologyguy
10:14:31 AM
04/23/04
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"I'm still on and have room for one on my five person permit if Buddur still can't make it."
jvz
10:19:17 AM
04/23/04
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"Geologyguy - I'm going to try to come in on the East side and hook up with you guys at Wallace Creek for next year's HST. Maybe I can help out with the shuttle somehow."
wingding0
03:04:08 PM
04/23/04
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"WD, Thanks!"
geologyguy
03:32:05 PM
04/23/04
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"Sorry to hear you won't make it Slugman. I was looking forward to having a co-pilot for road trip
:-("
Hodgeman of BC
08:40:20 AM
04/24/04
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"Slugman - Bummer. Was looking forward to meeting you...maybe next time!"
Phil
09:11:39 AM
04/24/04
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"We're still coming. Hopefully, Jerry's shoulder won't be a problem and I won't have to carry his gear. Ha! Wannabp and Jerry/Landscaper."
wannabp
01:00:21 PM
04/24/04
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"Bummer Slug, and so soon!"
the-naviguesser
10:39:39 PM
04/24/04
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"Thanks for the kind words, all. I was going to wait untill closer to the date of the trip to cancel, in hopes that I wouldn't have to, but that wouldn't be fair to others who need to make their plans. When the probability of my being able to go dropped below 25%, and others wanted to join up, I decided to bow to the inevitable. My fiance Tanja offered to put our July mortgage payment on her credit card so that I could still go, but I just don't believe in charging luxuries that can't be paid back in a short time. I will console myself with a few shorter trips here in WA, and the pictures of the trip that you folks will post. My biggest regret is in not meeting 15 or so great folks from around the country! Now I AM going to cry! I am only 45, so, God willing, we may meet yet on a future trip."
Slugman
10:49:35 AM
04/25/04
ignore this user
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“Gonzo, unfortunately I won't be able to make the trip, so you and jvz should be able to work something out wrt the permit.

And could you bring me back a lame t-shirt or something? lol”

“Still going. That Oracle project at the office has me worried though.”

“Yes, I'm still alive and yes I'm still in and hodgeman is on my permit too. Been too busy at work to go on here. Sit at a pc all day, don't want to go home to one.”

“I missed you hikerchic. : )

And I am so excited..I got my vacation approved for this trip..WooHoo!!!”

“Hey Rockman,

I have a dog I could bring along - but everyone else would have to be cool with it. When I brought Ticha on a TT trip I had to cut her off on garbage disposal duty...

Slugman - sorry I won't be able to play hostess for you.

Hodge - I can't believe that you would rather drive all that way rather than fly.

Everyone else - is this going to be cool, or what???”

“pepperDog - This is going to be very cool. Only question will be the snow pack in a few places and making sure we know where the heck we are going.

Can't wait!”