Lets put the Windorama to bed

“Here is an aerial view of Gannett, you'll notice the bigass glacier right on the top.”

“That's a snowfield, not a glacier. Look at the topo. There's a route from the west that avoids the glaciers. I don't know the exact route from the west. You may even miss the snowfield coming from the west. The traditional route up Gooseneck glacier crosses the bergstrund and climbs up the snowfield to the rigeline, then follows the ridgeline to the summit.”

“According to my topo that is the Gannett Peak Glacier.”

“Just for anyone's information who is thinking about going to Dickenson Park trailhead....it's closed. There is a property dispute where the road goes. It is closed until further notice.

We ended up going to Stough Creek Lakes. It was beautiful up there. Windy and it rained almost everyday and even snowed once.”

“My topo shows Gannett Glacier north of the peak, Gooseneck is southeast, Dinwoody is south and Minor is west. The snowfield is on the east slope of the peak. Herw's an excerpt from a trip report talking about crossing the Gooseneck. Once up the snowfield (snowfinger in their report) they stay on the rocks, i.e., up the ridge, to the summit.

7/31 Today the second group went to the top. We left camp at 8:30, made the end of the trail at 9:00. At the trails end we walked across the base of the snowfield (its like a 3 story snowdrift with a river pouring out of it). The approach to the bottom of the Dinwoody Glacier from this direction is a hike across snowfields interlaced with mounds of huge rounded boulders. It is a challenging scramble, perhaps as physically demanding as any part of the climb. We made our way to the base of the Dinwoody Glacier. Our route took us up the north side of the glacier, until at a convenient point we crossed over onto the Goosneck Glacier. Two steep pitches of snow and another boulder scramble brought us to the base of the Gooseneck Snowfinger. We did not rope up, as the snow slopes that we climbed both had a good run-out at the bottom, meaning that if someone fell and couldnt arrest he would just cruise to a stop at the bottom, without slamming into a rock or crevasse. The snow was soft and easy. The Gooseneck Snowfinger is the crux pitch of the route that we took, which is traditionally considered the easiest. There was a bergshrund crevasse separating the glacier from the snowfield, about 4-6 feet wide, 10 -15 feet deep, and the snowfinger side was a good 6 feet higher than the glacier side. There was a small, fragile looking snowbridge across the cravasse, right below the rocks that separated the snowfinger from another one to the north. Gordon and Bruce belayed each other and checked out the bridge. Then they tied two ropes together, and Gordon free-climbed the snowfinger. It is a steep, exposed slope, the snow was soft, and there were huge buckets to climb in. At the top Gordon tied a runner around a huge boulder, and attached the top end of the rope. The rest of us attached our harnesses to the rope, and walked up it one at a time. It was handy to have a biner large enough to pass the center knot without having to unclip. The first 40 yards above the bergshrund is very steep, and an unarrested fall into the bershrund would be very damaging to body and spirit. We reached the top of the Gooseneck snowfinger at 12:00. From the top of the snowfinger, we stayed in the rocks as much as possible. Walking the snow below the rocks is much faster, but much more exposed. The only places that we had to walk on the snow were above the snowfinger to the north of the Gooseneck snowfinger (on a path about 2 feet wide), and near the top (not very exposed). We reached the summit of Gannett (13,804 ft) at 1:00.

I'm not advocating going in from the west. If it were an easy route everyone would do it. It's just possible to be done, without glacier travel.”

“griz...what are your hours on aug 5th? would like to get some lightweight buns...:)

scrambling to the peak...hmm, i believe my scrambling days are far gone! would love to stand by a 3 story snowdrift with a river flowing out tho........hmm”

“I'll be there from 6am to 2pm or so. Stop bye and I'll give ya the grand tour. Just ask for Bear.

There were tons of frozen lakes but by the time you guys go, i'm sure they will all be melted.

Campmor has a mosquito room. It's a small 7x5 netting room you can hang from trees. It weighs like 7oz. and is cheap too. It can save your sanity while eating or sleeping.”

“Hi, fellow Wind-o-roamers. We're just back from the South Lake/North Lake trip. We carried 30 lbs each and had everything we needed, so we're set for the Winds. And we got to meet Trekkngirl. Hi, Pat!

We leave this Thurs, July 22, for a car trip before the Wind trip. We'll be getting a cell service with a national plan and will e-mail the number to all of you so we can be in touch in case something comes up.

Couchtater, I'm not interested in glacier traversing up a peak, but the trip report was interesting.

Griz, where in the Winds were you?”

“Hi, fellow Wind-o-roamers. We're just back from the South Lake/North Lake trip. We carried 30 lbs each and had everything we needed, so we're set for the Winds. And we got to meet Trekkngirl. Hi, Pat!

We leave this Thurs, July 22, and will be on the road until the Wind trip. I'll e-mail our cell number so we can be in touch in case something comes up.

Couchtater, I'm not interested in glacier traversing up a peak, but the trip report was interesting.

Griz, where in the Winds were you?”

“How did I do that double-post?

Here's a copy-and-paste trip report of much of our trip. Their day hike to Winifred Peak appears to be the ascent of our cross-country route to Titcomb Basin.

http://www.alpinistas.org/archives/1994/winds/newfork.html

Any input on the Peak Lake to Titcomb Basin traverse? The South Lake-North Lake trip ended with a cross-country summit of Lamarck Col and descent on the opposite side to the TH. It took forever with people spread out probably four hours apart. The people with radio contact stayed pretty much on the same route, an unmaintained trail that was not where it should have been according to Secor's book. The people without radios forged their own trail through endless boulder fields, "some the size of buses." I'm off to read Kelsey for his opinion.”

“Another link to a Peak Lake/Titcomb Basin crossing in 1987. Sounds like ice axes and crampons are needed, and that it is very windy in Titcomb Basin.

http://users.sisna.com/vagabond/windri1/windri1.htm”

“oooo wannabp....thanks for the trail teaser!

btw...how did the carrying of lightweight fleece and fleece vest and windbreaker work out for you.. (i think it was you that mentioned this combo previously)

I would love not to carry a heavy fleece jacket and just do effective layering.
safe travels to the winds~~~”

“Om, I ended up taking my midweight fleece and Marmot rain gear. In the evening, I would put on my lightweight long underwear, my Marmot pants, my midweight fleece, and my Precip jacket. That worked.

We got our packweight down to 30 lbs each with food and water. That was the best!”

“I have been reading trip reports and Kelsey's book. From the best that I can tell, we will come over Knapsack Col onto the Twins Glacier. Has anyone else thought about the implications of glacier travel? Has anyone ever done this route or talked to anyone who has? I have crossed a lot of snow fields in hiking shoes, but this may be different. I can see that there is a bit of glacier-free terrain on the map, but the reports indicate that one traverses the glacier with crampons and ice axes. Kelsey just says the route involves the snows of Twins Glacier on the Titcomb side.


Any opinions, fellow Wind-o-Roamers?”

“I hadn't read the Kelsey description. On the map there's a route between the glaciers.”

“Bison, which map do you have? The EarthWalk Press map doesn't have a trail there.

Found another trip report--from the other site!!
http://www.bpbasecamp.com/destinations/article/1,3772,449_P,00.html”

“There's room between the glaciers on the USGS Quad (Gannett Peak), I guess there could be a semi-permanent snow field there though. I guess we'll find out when we get up there :)”

“We went to the Stough Creek Basin on the South East corner of the Winds. The trailhead starts at Worthen Meadows Res. on the Louis Lake Road.”

“Thanks, Griz. Did you encounter glaciers?

I'm wondering if they're just like the snow fields in the Sierras or if there might be crevasses hidden under the melting snow. I'm also wondering how steep Twins Glacier is. I think I will call the ranger station and ask.”

“When I posted this trip route last year, a few seasoned Wind travelers had viewed it. They did not raise concern about ice axes and crampons.

We can always modify when we talk with the rangers.”

“Does anyone know if any of the unconfirmed are still thinking about showing up?

Are there any last itinerary questions that need to be wrapped up?

Does everyone know who thier travel buddy is? Ha Ha.”

“What ever you do, DON'T tell the rangers a BIG INTERNET GROUP is coming to hike!
Do a search of the last Savage Gulf, TN trip to see all the chit stirred up. LOL!”

“I will keep that in mind. Hell, for all we know, a ranger is very aware of this trip. It has been posted for almost a year. I would be pissed if I knew a ranger knew about this trip and did not chime in with some advice.”

“I doubt the rangers in the Winds will be too upset, the group isn't huge, and the Winds are a very large area. My NOLS group was 15 people, and there were many other larger groups out there at that time, we only ever ran into one of them.”

“Bigpoppa - We need to find a place and time to meet at the airport.”

“How's about the lounge in front of Concourse C?”

“Who's NOT coming that's signed up on the trip page (not counting the maybes)?

om's group will be om, trekkngirl, radagast & wife, and me.”

“SS, I'll just ask and not volunteer information.

BigPoppa, LadyHiker is still on the 'maybe' list. I don't know about anyone else.”

“Bison,

Sounds great. I do not know SLC, but if there is a lounge around Councours C, I will find it and meet you there. I get in 11:30. What time do you want to meet? Is that lounge before security or after? If it is after security check point, what are you going to do with your gear?”

“no one should ever plan on me for a hike, since i frequently do my own thing. that is one of the reasons that i was not listed.”

“I personally have never been on bull lake glacier. however the glaciers on the east side of freemont peak like knifepoint are pretty treachorous(sp) you could get buy without crampons but i wouldn't do it without an ice axe.
at the time of year you will be there i would imagine most of the snow will be melted off the top leaving the hard ice behind. that could be pretty tricky. i am by no means a wind river expert only visiting there once but this might help you.”

“wannabp...not to keep harping on this, i am sure there is a thread somewhere, but i am way to lazy to search.. can you give me an example of midweight fleece? Is that like the microfleece stuff? (i am trying to reduce bulk from my pack as it is an ultralite.)”

“I just emailed another TT who has led a few groups in the Winds. He knows the area well. I will let you know what he says about the snow and ice and if we need ice axes.”

“"can you give me an example of midweight fleece?"

200 weight fleece is generally considered midweight.

Microfleece and 100 weight = Light
200 weight = Mid
300 weight = Heavy”

“Om, it's just my term for my fleece. It's heavier than one I own and lighter than others I've seen in the store. I wore my long underwear (very lightweight stuff) with my fleece over it, then my Marmot Precip rain jacket and pants over that. Also, it has a hood. The combination was what made it effective. I also carried a lightweight, long-sleeved wicking shirt that I could have added into the mix. I figure I can always go to bed or bring my bed to the common area if I am cold.

If you're still wondering, go to the South Lake/North Lake trip and look at the photos. I'm bundled up in that get-up for every morning and evening shot. LOL.”

“Thanks, BigPoppa and emiller. I still plan to call the ranger station and ask about our particular glacier, but am bogged down with packing, cleaning house (I'll have guests while I'm gone), and writing a report that has to be done before I leave. Just now leaving work and I started at 7 AM. One more day, and we take off. Yeah!”

“I definitely want to get up a glacier. I'll be bringing my mountaineering gear - crampons, ice axe & third tool, prussiks, etc.

I won't bring a rope because I don't want to leave it in the trunk of my car - we can rent one in Pinedale I think.

I have taken all my glacier/crevasse rescue courses, as well as avalanche rescue. Do We need probes and beacons?

I'd really like to get up high and Sirpete does too.

Internet access is sporadic for me right now.”

“wind river glaciers are rather small in the world of glaciers. 1 rope an ice axe and crampons are all you need from what i have seen”

“I'm not much into ice axes. I'd probably chop off my toe or worse yet, let go of the thing and slide unimpeded to the bottom. Maybe we'll take the long way round and meet y'all in the basin. Whoever gets there first could have hot soup or cold watermelon waiting for the other group. JKing.”

“Man I wish I was able to go on this trip, if only to finally meet om, who I missed on the Montanapalooza because she showed up late for beer, then locked her keys in her running car, with the headlights pointed at the cabin next door to aero's.

Clothes I've taken to this area for the same time of year.

Light long underwear
polar fleece pants
rain pants

tee shirts - long and short sleeved
polar pullover
down vest
rain jacket

wool cap

lots of socks
moccasins for camp shoes

If I can't stay warm at night wearing the long underwear, polar fleece pants and top, and rain suit to keep the wind off, then I know I can always jump in my sleeping bag to stay warm.

All lightweight and warm.

Have fun.”

“Thanks Chief! Good info.”

“Chief, what do you know about crossing Knapsack Col? Should Landscaper and I pass and take the long way around if we don't want to do glaciers?
CA is pretty much all snow fields, i.e. no crevasses, no ice after the morning sun hits the snow in the summer. I could trudge along snow fields forever, but I don't know a thing about self-arresting.”

“Don't know.

I went in from Dickinson TH both times. We went over Bear's Ears and down into the South Fork Lakes area and based from there.

I assume you will get to look down into this same area from the west and see it as we saw from the east.

It is spectacular country.”

“I don't know anything about chopping holes in ice with axes or swinging on ropes.Is this hike going to be something I can do? I'm like wannabp,hiking in Sierra snow fields was great but I don't know about glaciers. : [”

“There is an alternate route on trail for that day. From what I've seen the route over knapsack col should not involve any glacier travel.”

“StoveStomper don't do any hole chopping on ice.

trekkngirl & om - Please sit on your butts, watch TV, and drink beer the next two weeks. I don't want to be humiliated by how much better shape y'all are in than me. ;-)


I've been walking some to get ready for this trip and my lard a$$ is tired, but I'll be really!”

“really=ready”

“Dang, now you are making me think I should get an ice ax. Hmm. I wonder where I could borrow some.”

“chief....now...tell it like it was man! it all started with the broken plane in vegas...and it was gravity that closed the door to the car....LOL!!

pre trip plans include a teton drive by and roaming thru paintpots and thermal fields in yellowstone on friday and feasting in Jackson Hole that night... can u meet up for that..?...or at least send yer cowboy friend who i missed because of the broken plane in vegas~~~~~~~~

thanks wannabp, that is what i wanted to do.

i will be going up to, beside, around, skirting... but not picking, cramping on, chipping or roping my way across any glaciers..... unless you can sled or slide across on a tarp or yer zrest or sumthin..which would be kinda fun.
yippee and yahoo~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Y OM ing~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

“bigpoppa....yer scaring me...lol
all u strangers carrying ice axes...
i think of that lawrence sanders book...the first deadly sin....”