Thread: Mt Langley - 1/13-14/2008

Bcrider and Steeleman made the trek in from wherever they’re from, and arrived in Mammoth around 10pm on Saturday evening. On Sunday morning we left Mammoth and made the drive down to Lone Pine.

Passing the through the Alabama Hills:



At the trailhead:



Cactus and Mt Langley:



With a narrow ribbon of snow on the road, we put our skis on and were able to skin right from the car. After about a mile or so, the road ends and we began following the trail that goes to the Stone House, and the South face of Lone Pine Peak. The trail helped out for a bit, but it doesn’t go in the direction we are heading. So we left the trail and began the climb through the dense forest.


The Stone House:



Looking down into the drainage, we realized that we had avoided the worst of it. So we descended a little bit, and then continued climbing the south side of the valley, trying as best we could to stay out of the riverbed.

A few hours, and a few thousand feet later, we arrived at a nice meadow and set up camp.


Nightfall:


Night:



Calm winds and sunny skies in the morning. After coffee and breakfast we were moving again.


From camp we had about a mile of gentle climbing to reach the base of the couloir. Once we started climbing out the valley, the snow quickly turned to hard windpack, with a few short sections of soft snow here and there. With just enough grip on our skins, we skied to the base of the couloir, and then began the 2000 foot bootpack to the summit ridge.

View from the bottom of the couloir:


Steeleman starting the bootpack:



Within the protective walls of the couloir, the snow quality improved quite a bit.



partway up the couloir:


at the top of the couloir:


steeleman:


bcrider emerges into the sunlight:



At about 13500 ft the main couloir ends, so we exited out onto the ridge. Steeleman began climbing on towards the summit, and I paused for a photo op. Packing my things back up, I overheard the wonderful sounds of vomiting from below. Bcrider was having a tough time with the elevation, and we feared he wouldn’t make it much higher.

So steeleman and I continued on. A bit more climbing and we encountered the end of the snow, so we dropped our gear and made a quick trip to the summit. Figuring bcrider was in rough shape, we quickly began back down only to find him stumbling his way up the rocks!
Another quick trip to the summit and the mission was complete. Almost.


on the summit:



It’s amazing how much energy gets returned once the snowboards get strapped on.

riding down the ridge:


riding down the ridge:


entering the couloir:


and descending:














Below the couloir, things got kinda ugly. py snow and lots of rocks, with just a few nice turns in the trees above camp.

Hoping to out before dark, we quickly broke down camp and began the ride out through the forest, rocks, gullies, and rivers. After a few crashes and a lot of cussing, we emerged back onto the trail for the high-speed single track back to the car.

Nice job. I was wondering how much snow was up in there. Tuttle creek isn't much fun during low snow times.

CA is keepin' it s-i-c-k.

Way to get it done, vomiting and all. Tuttle creek sure looks like a bitch from the top, how was the bushwacking?

Nice work. And thanks for sharing.

For some reason, that peak and cooly are at the top of my list of things to get done on the East Side.

NICE! Great photos

I always look forward to any TR with Steeleman and bcrider

Originally Posted by CS

Nice work. And thanks for sharing.

For some reason, that peak and cooly are at the top of my list of things to get done on the East Side.

I've been turned back twice on Langley - foolishly trying to do it in a day from the car. Not good for a lowlander to try. It's high on my list as well. Let me know if I can join you.

Originally Posted by Bill.H

I've been turned back twice on Langley - foolishly trying to do it in a day from the car. Not good for a lowlander to try. It's high on my list as well. Let me know if I can join you.

Absolutely man. And I know of your history with that mountain.

Things are hectic around here until April, so hopefully with a big spring, and less on my plate, it'll be on.

65432

fantastic!

Is that the first Cali 14er to get a TGR TR this season? I'm sure it won't be your last..

thanks much, this made a long layover much more pleasant.

That is some sic stuff right there, great job . Love the fact that a sweet couloir desent was just the medicine BCR needed for a little touch of AMS .

Trying to get my bearings from the pics is that new army pass you guys rode down?

fuck yeah d and crew. and props to bcr for rallying after yakking. bet he didn't want to make that drive again knowing how much he loves to drive any farther then echo summit. and now he's committed to #2 which is............??????????

Nicely done D R C!

Was trying to place this one from the other TR thread, I now have a better idea.

Love that area. Nice one!

Love this shot. Gives some perspective to the ridiculous scale of those mountains.

Originally Posted by bcd

entering the couloir:

And way to go BCR and Steeleman. Sea Level-ish lungs, lots of hours in the car and a stout assault on a big boy. Just your usual California weekend...

So BCD after another night in a mid, do you still prefer the Lighthouse on the snow?

Well done fellas. Cali 14ers don't get done in Janary very often!

Great pics! Thanks for taking the time to put this up.

Nice that line has been on my list for a while. Gotta get out that way sometime

That's what I'm talking about.

You guys sure love skiing high.....

Simply Awesome!!

FKNA

You guys are sick. I'm inspired to ungimpify myself when I read your TRs, and they make me happy to have moved back to CA. One day, one day... but at least you give me something to work towards

excelente!

Really sweet TR!