McFarland
Snow Climb (Spring Mts. near Vegas)
pics by Harlan W.
S. & Kim O. About 4000’ accumulated gain, 8.5 miles RT. This
chute often has good snow after S-facing slopes have melted; we put on
crampons at ~8300’, and took them off at 10540’, where we were
able to walk the mainly rocky ridge to the summit. Parts of the chute are quite steep,
especially between 9500’ and 10200’. For more detail, see older TR. Snow was a bit trickier this time, at least
for my Stubai Ultralights
– terrible balling problems. We saw no horses, but there were elk running away as we drove to the starting point ~6990’. |
100k map with GPS trace. |
24K map. |
Google Earth 3d view, from NE, no vertical exaggeration. |
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This is the “3rd class” section described by Branch Whitney; the rock was covered with many feet of snow, so it was just a walk-up. |
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Mack’s Peak in back of Kim. |
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No hang gliders or bicycles! We mean it! |
Back to the meadows and fire remnants. |
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25’ from the
car! |
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