I had great time and truly enjoyed meeting everyone! Here's my version of the TR (can't wait to read Ryan's account of the climb!):
-- Strapping on the Crampons --
Strapping on the crampons and having a quick bite at the Ski Hut before heading out for the top.
Left to right: Matt, Dave, Ryan, Zach (in the background putting on crampons), Patrick
-- "Rock & Roll" --
While everyone in our party attacked Baldy head on via various routes directly up the Bowl I took the normal (easier) route up to the summit across the "Rock & Roll" basin of the Baldy's Bowl and up to the Western ridge.
This is what it looks like now in the winter -- and it's much easier to travel through then it was in summer.
-- Ellen, Norma R, Dave and Matt? --
Can you see the tiny four specks on the slope of the Bowl?
-- I thought it was Zach ... --
I was trying to spot Ryan and Zach on the West slope of the Bowl when I noticed this climber, I was pretty sure it was Zach until I got home and was able to zoom in to see the blue shovel strapped to the back of the pack so it was actually bertfivesix (sorry can't remember the real name).
-- Looking down at the base of the ridge I am on ... --
As I gained the base of ridge from the "Rock &Roll" basin I took my new La Sportiva Nepals EVO's off and tried to dial in the lacing to stop the dreaded "heel lift".
I then approached the ridge and decided to travel right on the crest so I could enjoy the views of the Bowl (the normal trail stays a bit to the left).
At this point it got so hot that I took my jacket and hat off. I was wishing I had side zips on my pants because it was still too hot.
-- Zach topping out at the ridge --
I reached the top point on the ridge and started making my way up towards the summit when I heard screams behind me ...
I turned and saw Zach topping out on the ridge -- he was alone. I was pretty far out and didn't want to down climb back to him so I started to shout bunch of questions at him wishing to know what happened and if he and Ryan were OK.
I quickly realized he was so taxed by the climb that he couldn't master the strength to shout back at me so I just waited till he regained his breathing ... In few minutes he managed to climb up to my position and tell me that Ryan and him split up with Ryan attempting a very steep and dangerous route.
I also learned that bertfivesix had met Ryan and Zach at the Ski Hut right before they attacked the Bowl and was now somewhere on the Bowl possibly with Ryan. Zach was concerned about them saying that the route they were attempting was extremely steep and dangerous.
The route Zach took also ended up very steep and it taxed his calves. He told me that the only time he was able to get some rest was when he found a flat dent in the slope created by a huge rock that fell from the top.
-- Surreal --
Sun and two trees
-- Zach plodding ahead --
Despite having completed a steep route Zach managed to floor it on this section.
-- Snow covered trees --
The huge chunks of ice that keep on falling from the trees are massive, don't even think of getting anywhere near them.
-- Entering the Alpine territory --
As the trees recede so is the oxygen -- this is the area where I start to feel the effects of high altitude. Hydration is the only remedy and I was glad I brought my 3L camelback with me instead of two Nalgene bottles I was planning switching to in the winter.
-- Summit team --
Left to right: Zach, Norma R, Matt, Dave, Ellen and Steve
-- Topped out --
Self "mug shoot" at the summit of Baldy
-- West Baldy --
Dave suggested we visit "West Baldy" which we did ...
-- Frozen sign of "Devil's Backbone Trail" at Mt Baldy --
-- Looking down from the Summit of West Baldy --
-- Summit break at West Baldy --
Left to right: Ellen, Matt, Norma R
-- Getting ready to head back from West Baldy --
-- Frozen landscape on Mt Baldy --
-- Going back to Mt Baldy Summit from West Baldy --
At this point our party broke up into two groups -- Dave, Norma R, Ellen, Patrick and Matt decided to descent bypassing return to Baldy Summit.
Zach and I headed back to Baldy Summit to check if it was Ryan and bertfivesix that were now at the summit.
The two specks on the left are what I thought were Ryan and bertfivesix and the third one on the right is Zach approaching. Zach seemed to have some kind of supercharger -- we'd start off together and the next thing I knew he was out ahead of me.
-- Finally Ryan and bertfivesix! --
The two guys that were at the baldy Summit (see previous picture) were not Ryan and bertfivesix so Zach and I decided to head down the ridge to see if we run into them.
Sure enough we did ...
-- "Bloody" Ryan --
Ryan was covered in grime and blood and his left elbow seemed a bit larger than the right one but he seemed just fine smiling and telling us that eventually the Mountain told him it was time to back off. He still wanted to tag the summit so we turned back towards Baldy (for the third time today).
-- Back at the Baldy Summit --
Left to right: Most friendly dog, [Dude with the big camera, sorry forgot the name], Ryan, Zach, bertfivesix
After Ryan and bertfivesix tagged the Summit, bertfivesix attempted to test this tent setup with the deadmans to no avail -- the snow was ice. It was getting too cold and we decided to head just below the summit for a quick bite to eat.
Right around this time I realized that my water supply was on the last few drops so I didn't eat anything. We stayed just below the summit for 15 or so minutes and headed back down the ridge.
-- Snow covered Ridge of Mt Baldy --
Once again I tried to stay right at the crest of ridge enjoying the views and untouched snow. It was exhilarating being on the crest and looking down these steep chutes.
-- We meet again --
Somehow we managed to meet with the rest of the team back at the hut. They just finished taking off their crampons and were getting ready to head down the Ski Nut trail when I arrived. Zach arrived before me and was getting everyone up to speed with Ryan's adventure.
Ryan and bertfivesix were 2-3 minutes behind me. Apparently bertfivesix was fighting nasty case of leg cramps and Ryan stayed with him the whole time despite his own, shall we say "less than optimal" condition.
When Ryan and bertfivesix arrived the rest of the group took off with Zach after making sure Ryan was OK. Ryan, bertfivesix and I stayed for another 15 minutes during which I foolishly took my crampons off and Ryan ate some cheese sticks he had in his pack.
Ryan invited me to join him, bertfivesix and Zach at the Baldy Village for beer but unfortunately I had to decline as I wanted to beat the traffic heading home to LA.
-- Ski Hut trail below the snowline --
It was pretty mushy down here after the snow melted away and left the soil moist and soggy.
-- Views from the Ski Hut trail --
-- Back at the Ski Lift road ... --
We exited the Ski Hut trail and headed back to the parking lot taking a quick break at the falls. Looking back at Baldy towering over us ...
-- Winter vs Summer Ski Hut Trail GPS Track --
Here's an overlay of Summer vs Winter GPS tracks on the most difficult section of the Ski Hut Trail (West Ridge). Notice how the Winter ascent (blue track) is much more direct.
For larger versions of the above picture you can visit my flickr album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvephotos/ ... 898115253/
The rest of us followed various paths up the main bowl. This was Ellen's first Bowl climb and she made it look as easy as Skyline!:) Conditions didn't warrant glissading down--a couple of inches of snow over blue ice in spots 
--so after tagging West Baldy we descended the normal ridge route back to the ski hut trail. Awesome day with a great group! Pix are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21042415@N ... 022429388/
(I mean nice trip reports and pictures which kicked in our disease and glady got us all to miss work 
I really appreciated the route guidance.
