t_rutl Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 Trip: Whitehorse Mountain - Neiderprum Trail Date: 4/26/2009 Trip Report: On a whim gave the Neiderprum a hoot...wanted to take the glacier direct but couldnt track down a partner for that route...passed a trio coming off and was quite jealous they caught that day for the Whitehorse Glacier!! They did some serious work and it looked too fun! Started out cold and clear with Whitehorse beaming in morning hours After exiting the tortuous miles of switchbacks we landed on a trough of avy debris. With the cold night before the neve couldnt have been better although, some sections debris were ankle twisting chunks of ice. All it all it was much nicer taking a direct route up to Lone Tree Pass rather than bush whacking. Great view of the summit and weather to boot! Just shy of Lone Tree some recent snow fell. Some nice sugar that made things a little more interesting. After continuing along the ridge snow conditions were still quite good and took a direct route down to make the traverse to High Pass. After crossing through the last section of forest the sun started to warm things up and the immense amount of ice on the cliff bands above began to melt and break away. We scooted past that had lunch and dropped any extra weight (snowshoes, stove, ect). After making the arduous ascent up to High Pass we were socked in with clouds and light snow. Due to the low vis we moved slow, very slow. As there was a small break we took steps until we could see any more. Thankfully the party ahead of us on the glacier direct were descending the Neiderprum giving us a path to follow in less than ideal conditions. As we booted up the summit it was nice to see that the snow finger led straight to the top! After a min or two at the top it was time to head out. No view and it was getting cold up there. Just as we descended the snow finger onto the glacier the weather broke revealing some amazing photo ops... After 30 min or so the system passed and we were back under blue skies...if we only this view once we hit the glacier! Made the trek down High Pass, picked up the cached gear and traversed to Lone Tree. As the sun set atop Lone Tree I knew it would take a bit longer to make it to the rig. Set tracks with the GPS and had spare batts and headlamps so weren't concerned. Made it out and headed home! Gear Notes: ice axe, crampons, snow shoes (not needed), stove (for water...no natural sources yet), rope Approach Notes: Snow free through the switch backs of the "official" Neiderprum trai and easy to follow. Exited east to continue up avalanche gully to Lone Tree Quote
belayerslayer Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 way to get her done! me and a team of 7 were up near lone tree on saturday - didn't make summit visibility awful that day Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.