Thor Falls Ice Climbing

Join MAA members for ice climbing near Mt. Whitney. Let's spend a weekend finishing out the ice climbing season at the fun, high altitude Thor Falls crag. We'll snowshoe up and enjoy a basecamp at Lower Boy Scout Lake. Prior ice climbing and snow camping experience recommended. Loaner gear may be available. Hope to have you out with us!

SCREENED EVENT: Please join the waitlist. Attendees will be selected based on skill proficiency and experience shown on their MAA profile. Those registered will be notified, please pay the hostel fee to confirm. Thank you! 

DETAILS:

• What's happening: Ice climbing WI2-WI3 on top rope, snowshoeing, multi-day snow camping. Plan to walk all the way up the Whitney Portal road from the valley and continue up the trail and the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek to make camp at Lower Boy Scout Lake 10,000. This is about a 5,500' ascent. 
• Where to meet: Right outside Lone Pine, take Line Street, and drive until you see the "road closed" sign before you go up the switchbacks to Whitney Portal. Park the dirt lot on the right (in the valley). 
• Event Leader: Roger Coss, rcoss15@comcast.net, (209) 815-3981
• Minimum / Maximum: 4,8
• What to bring: Warm, stormproof layers for upper and lower body - 4 layers for upper and 3 layers for lower, minimum. 2 pair socks and gloves, warm mittens, warm headwear, sunglasses, goggles, gaiters. Belay device, , 2 locking carabiners, harness, helmet, warm mountain boots, sharp steel crampons fit to your boots, pair or ice tools, food for 2 nights / 3 days, waterbottles with insulating sleeve, spoon, cup, warm sleeping bag, 2 sleeping pads, trekking pole(s), snowshoes, snow shovel. Technical equipment such as rope, ice protection, and stove, pots, fuel and tents may be supplied by MAA. Bring what you have of these items and we'll select the group gear. Leave about 10 liters of space and up to 10 lbs for group gear. 
• Medical: If you have any medical conditions pertinent to your participation on this event, please inform the event leaders after registration.

ITINERARY:

• DAY 1, Friday, April 19th: Early start at 5:30 am. Hiking up the Whitney Portal road. Once at the Whitney Portal, we'll take the regular trail to the Lone Pine Creek junction. Go up Lone Pine Creek trail to Ebersbacher Ledges (or if winter route is possible, stay in the creek bottom) and continue to Lower Boy Scout Lake (LBS). Establish camp in the trees there. Total elevation gain approx. 5,500' from the valley. LBS lake elevation approx 10,500.
• DAY 2 Saturday, April 20th: Ice climbing at Thor Falls between LBS and UBS lake, return to basecamp. 
• DAY 3, Sunday, April 21st: Get in a bit more ice climbing, then return to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• In order to register you must be a Base, Peak, or Apex member.
  
• Event leaders are experienced volunteers, but may not be certified guides.
• Participant safety is our top priority. The itinerary described is the plan; however, circumstances beyond the leader's control may necessitate changes.
  
• The event begins and ends at the trailhead. MAA does not insure ridesharing or other travel arrangements and bears no responsibility for them. Carpooling, ride sharing, or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among individuals.
• MAA event leaders carry communication devices and a medical kit; The primary event leader has current wilderness first aid and CPR training as well as MAA policy training.