Mount Harwood — Northeast Ridge
My first official trip report of the winter season is a bittersweet one. In fairness it might be best to call this a climbing trip report, rather than skiing—though we did bring skis.
I sometimes think Southern California Ski Mountaineering is a genre unto itself. This adventure did nothing to dissuade me of that notion. But wow did I pay an expensive price for it!
» Climbing Mount Harwood via the Northeast Ridge
10 Responses to “Mount Harwood — Northeast Ridge”
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Xavier "fickle fingers" McGillicutty says:
For Sale: One slightly used Nikon D300 camera. Slight scratches where serial number used to be, but otherwise this beauty is in great condition. Will include memory card with embarrassing pictures of semi-famous backcountry blogger for a small additional fee.
(*ouch!*)
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Dan says:
Andy. Well said.
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Bill says:
January 13th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Nicely written. That was a great trip. Ah, great being a relative term. I miss my hat. It’s somewhere in Baldy Bowl by now.
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Taylor Prosba says:
January 13th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
When did you do this trip?
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Andy says:
This was Saturday, Jan 10.
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Alvin says:
Nice story and adventure Andy.
In the massive snow year of 1995 on June 13 in one foot of new powder down to the 4,000 foot level, a friend and I climbed the north side of Harwood in what was like a bowling alley of rocks falling down on us. We made Harwood, finding various ski and pole parts along the way from the two out of bounds skiers who died in an avalanche there that year, then worked our way around to Lyle Creek and skied it via snow bridges that were 20 feet above the river. What we did could only happen in a huge snow year — It was a very memorable experience in a very memorable area.
Alvin
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Scott says:
Is there still snow in the bowl? I’m thinking of heading up this weekend, but want to know whether to bring skis or not. Kind of sounding like a no.
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Andy says:
Scott,
A group of friends drove up to ski Baldy Bowl today — and turned around and went home. They said coverage was too bleak to bother.
Note that north aspects do have snow. But the problem with these is 1) access and 2) bulletproof (ie deadly) ice. We need more snow.
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Scott says:
January 18th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for the info. Like you said, it’s a great weekend for hiking and biking!
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mike says:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:23 am
The only place for a story like this is in the Baldy area. Genius really. You cant make this stuff up.
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