My buddy Fritz has wanted to reach San Gorgonio for awhile, so we both headed out. on Saturday December 9 for an overnight trip, hoping to ascend Jepson peak via the North Ridge, reach San G, then snowboard down whatever terrain looked safe and fitting to reach Dry Lake again.
Fritz
It was nice and cold the entire time. We had the chain-putter-onner dude at Angelus Oaks put our chains on, removing $200 from Fritz's wallet. It's all part of the lightweight ethic, even the wallet must be light.
Myself
Got to the trailhead, geared up, and hiked up to Dry Lake. Upon reaching Dry Lake and moving to the east side of the lake itself, I saw someone standing where I camped last time. I jokingly said, "Hey, you took our spot!" As we got closer, the guy said, "Ryan?". Turns out it was Drew from the Crazed Mountain Freaks, and Carl too, who just came out of the tent. These guys introduced me to the area in February. Pretty dman cool that we just happened to be there on the same day! They came up on Thursday, and were heading home on Sunday morning, an hour or so before we ended up leaving.
San G, the last view of it.
We settled down, chopped the ice and sorta-perma-frost off the ground for our tents. We set up, and I went to sleep pretty much right away, since I had been up for about 28 hours. Fritz, Andy, and Carl made some food and had some Onikoroshi and Demon Killer Sake, and then went to sleep.
I slept better than I usually do in the snow, which doesn't say much other than I did actually get some sleep. I was much warmer than I thought I'd be, despite it being quite damn cold out.
We woke up before 0600, and I put my boots and gaiters on so I could go and take a whizz. About 10-12 inches of snow had fallen overnight, so we had to dig our way out of the tents, which was fun as always. Despite feeling nauseaus (haven't been above 1,000ft for a month or two), being at 9,100ft, I felt great.
We got our stuff together, started cooking up some food, talked to Andy and Carl, and cleaned things up a bit. Fritz walked up the hill between the caping area we were in, and Lodgepole Spring area, and snowboarded down till the last 50ft. I have never skiied (spelling?) or snowboarded before, so today I was to learn. I so gracefully boarded sideways down the hill, nearly hitting a tree, and then running over a rock, leaving a gash in the board. Sorry Fritz! I came to a stop below, and being the adventurous type, I gave up. I figure a different place with fewer obstacles may be a better introductory location. Fritz does this stuff all the time, and I couldn't have a better teacher.
We ate breakfast, talked to Andy and Carl again, who were packed and leaving, and we all shared some Sake, and they went back down the South Fork trail to their vehicle. We followed shortly thereafter, since there was total whiteout above 10,000ft, and constant snowfall.
Got back to the truck, warmed it up, and headed home. We ate lunch/dinner at my favorite local restaurant, Taco Del Rio, where my screen name comes from. Fritz ordered a small Carne Asada burrito and an Al Pastor taco, I think. I had my favorite Cabesa all-meat burrito. I only eat cabesa if I'm going to be sedentary for a day or so otherwise acid reflux kicks in bigtime.
So ends the trip. The second attempt of mine to climb Jepson and San Gorgonio. I'd like to be dropped off via helo next time.
Improvements
This being the first winter trip of the 07-08 year, you always find small things to improve upon.
-If carrying a snowboard, a special pack should be used.
-Bring a Bic lighter (or two), since my Snowpeak stove clicky-lighty-igniter-dealy thing wouldn't light the gas.
-New insoles needed in my Scarpa boots. See if a bootsmith kinda guy can make them slightly wider.
-Bring my favorite sake, Hakutsuru.
-Bring more chili and salmon, as that strange combination is so incredibly tasty.
I was actually warm, for once. Surprised the hell outta me. To compensate for the crappy bag, I wore 2x Polypro pants, my wool sweater (old issue one, somewhere sometime), and a polypro top on top of the wool one for the hell of it. And my shell pants and top. Had the bag in a UK Army issue Goretex bivy bag.
Froze last time in Baldy Bowl in it, and a few other times.
Snow ambush kept you off the summit? What a shame. I hate that slog ascent via north slope of Jepson....did it with some knee deep postholing a couple years ago. :P Try it again in April man! Good TR and video.
Thanks Deb! I figured going up Jepson's N Ridge would be easier than up Jepson Bowl, which would be a bit more akin to swimming. We'll do this one again in a bit, probably more than once.
Outstanding report, my friend! It was good seeing you guys up there, Fritz is really cool. Thanks again for the sake, and let's hook up again soon (we gotta train for Shasta!!)
San Gorgonio > 20071208-09 San Gorgonio Area
