EISPIRATEN

It is (was?) winter! The last few years we did this:

• 2023
• 2024
• 2025

This was a shit snow year, but we still figured something out. Wes, Deb and I met Taco at Manker flat. Once again, he biked up from the city! Hiked up towards the bowl. It is looking tragic:



We picked a snowy tongue, and started climbing up



Initially it's all super soft, and we climbed up with the axes, but no crampons. It firmed up in the middle somewhere, and we donned the spikes. It's warm, and what little snow there is is actively melting, triggering some rock fall. One of us was hit, but we were able to complete the mission. Eventually we crossed into the big continuous snow field



Then the sun set and the moon rose!



We kept climbing, and eventually crested the top of the bowl



It was real cold and windy at this point. As it should be. After a little break and a final push, we topped out at the summit







West Baldy and Iron:



This was cool. Stoked about next year!

cool

The was my first time in crampons or using an ice axe, and it was awesome! Thanks to taco for all the tips

Good trip, thanks for coming out guys, keeping the scene alive. Good job Wes on yer first time. Dima, buy some Trangos.

Felt better this year. Left home 0830, ate at Claro's deli in Covina, saved half a sangwich which I ate below the summit, had a different sangwich near the trailhead. Sandwiches are the key to success. Did a total of about 70mi with about 10k gain. Got a 4x4, Flying Dutchman, and fries on the way down and was still hungry. Then had a big donut and small coffee at Donut Man. Could make a food tour out of these trips. No AMS, headache, anything this time. Felt strong the entire way. Even got to see the eclipse before bed. Got home around 0200.

Wow guys, totally fantastic! Loved reading this, loved the photos!

Awesome as ever. Looks surreal.