[Gerhard Tratter]

Nice boot, I have the Salewa, hoping to get on to Telescope Peak (DVNP) on Sunday. Fingers crossed!

[Gerhard Tratter]

Here is a visual perspective between Spikes and Crampons

[Gerhard Tratter]

My goal is to hike as much as possible, at minimum once per week. Following are some of my hike list items for 2018

• – Six Pack times Two (I like 12-packs)
• – Mt. Whitney via Mountaineers route (permit for 6/19 and 6/20 secured) – 14ner
• – Mt. Langley via Horseshoe Meadows (permit for 5/27 and 5/28 secured) – 14-ner
• – Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park (March'ish)
• – Corksrew Peak in Death Valley Nation Park (March'ish)
• – Snow Skills class in Mammoth (April)
• – Backpack San Gorgonio and traverse to San Bernardino (June / July)
• – White Mountain (July/August) – 14ner
• – Zion trip (October/November)
• – The Wave ( Coyote Buttes in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness) providing I can get a permit (December)

[Gerhard Tratter]

Cucamonga and Baldy are your next logical targets. Since you hike with your SO and Natalie is an experienced hiker you could do them now, provided you have the winter gear. If not, keep hiking the lower peaks in the Angeles Forest to stay fit until Summer returns and resume hiking Cucamonga and Baldy. For your first San Jacinto I would recommend taking the tram up and hike it from there. It is a beautiful mountain and when you return to it, take the Marion Mountain trail out of Idyllwild. You'll be ready for San Bernardino (one of my personal favorites) and San Gorgonio. Don't forget to invite me ?

[Gerhard Tratter]

When you hike Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineers route you don't need to go through the lottery system. Instead you can secure your permit up to six months in advance. When you chose the option ‘Exiting Mt. Whitney) you automatically receive the needed permit to descend via Trail Crest to Whitney Portal. This option should only be used by those with the skills for class III climbing.