Mount Baldy IX

Mount Baldy (north and south peaks) – June 15, 2005

Mountain height:                     2,192 m (7,190 ft)
Elevation gain:                        approx. 1,000 m
Ascent time to north peak:      1:35
Traverse time to south peak: 1:00
Descent time:                        0:45

Scrambling with Jodi Soare.

I’m still not tired of the mountain! Nine times up various routes on diminutive Mount Baldy and I continue to thoroughly enjoy the scrambling, the scenery, and the many possible variations on this cool, little, multi-peaked mountain. Perhaps I would have found it tiresome, were it not for the welcome and more than pleasant company of fellow outdoors-person, Jodi Soare. No stranger to the mountains, Jodi was delightful to hike with. She has a wonderfully refreshing appreciation for everything about the mountains and a very positive outlook on life in general.

I will say, however, that the steep hike compromising the first section of the trip towards the north summit, has grown to be a little mundane, and I was glad when we arrived at the start of the scrambling. We stayed on the ridge as much as possible and detoured several times to look for new, interesting, and more challenging terrain to ascent. The infamous downclimb was easily descended and we continued up the ridge, and on to the summit with a respectable ascent time of 1:35. (Beautiful weather throughout – what a nice change!).

We didn’t plan or expect to continue on to the south summit, but when I made the suggestion to Jodi, she was all for giving it go, even though we weren’t sure if there was enough daylight left. The downclimb from the north summit to the connecting ridge, I think was the most enjoyable and rewarding part of the day for both of us. I had failed to complete it once before as a solo trip, and the conditions last year were snowy enough that myself, Mark, and Holland decided to play it safe and rappel down the downclimb and then short-rope and belay across to the ridge. With no snow and the comfort of having another person there in case something went wrong, I found the downclimbing to be relatively straightforward and easy, although extra care was certainly needed in a few sections. Once down to the safety of the ridge, it was an enjoyable ridgewalk to the south summit.

Though we could have also made the west summit, without too much difficulty, time was becoming a concern, and much of the descent would probably be done in failing light if we had completed the trio of peaks. Instead, we took extended break at the south summit, enjoying the beautiful weather and the peaceful summit view.

For the descent, we took Kane’s alternate route, down slopes between the south and west peaks. Jodi led the descent at an incredible pace and I was stunned when we arrived back at the car only 45 minutes after leaving the south summit. Another great day, on a terrific mountain, with excellent company. Thanks Jodi!