It's early in the season and the snow coverage is decent, at best , so when in doubt head North! Had I not stared at the alpen-glowing peaks last Sunday morning as I was heading from Riverside to Baldy I might have stayed on the 210 freeway. But I found I was unknowingly heading north on I-15. As I realized my mistake I looked around and spotted the north side of Baden-Powell bathed in white. I knew Baldy would be fun that day but I also knew that I had to get to BP soon and check out the snow.
Taco was jonesin' for a winter adventure and thought BP sounded like a great idea. I have to admit when I looked up at the couloir he proposed I thought, “dear God what have I gotten myself into?”
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
But ever the good sport, I smiled like it was going be just another fun day in the mountains. And as it turned out I did enjoy a very fun day of mixed alpine for sure. Lot's of rock, a decent amount of snow and ice.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Thank you Taco for the excellent instruction on how to climb ice! That little ice number we first climbed had me so pumped up with adrenaline that I could have lifted a Ford F-150 off the ground! But thankfully i got my arse up the ice and afforded me my first ever ice climb. The 2nd little ice section was a piece of cake next to the first since it was far less steep and the exposure minimal. The rest of the day was a great mixture of soft snow, semi-exposed rock, short glissades and fun route-finding. Having the glider fly so close overhead as we summited was way cool. He circled and I knew the pilot was smiling at us as I madly waved my arm. I've had 3 great early season climbs in the San Gab's and I can't wait for the “Real Season” to begin!
Ice
Ice instruction
Taco through Ice
Me having fun on Ice
Ice for another day
Limber Pines hanging on an edge
Working our way up
The glider that greeted us at the summit
Eispiraten, have this way come
Rest of my pix are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ryan.norma8 ... lNECouloir#