Finished a second summit of Mt Baldy this year, this time with an almost 30 lb pack to train for Whitney in August! Wow, it was much, much harder with that extra weight.
What was hard to see was so many people that seemed totally unprepared for such a strenuous hike on a very hot day— mainly those coming UP Devil’s Backbone. While that route is touted as “easier” and more gradual, it is almost full sun and can really suck the life out of you.
Going up Baldy Bowl (ski hut) provides much more shade for the ascent.
Altitude, heat and dehydration is a recipe for complete disaster so please be prepared!
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