Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2803 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs
Sun Jun 16, 2002 1:32 pm
Baring Mountain (6/15/02)
Tom, Craig and myself climbed Baring Mountain yesterday. Two other parties supposedly out for the same summit left the trailhead at the same time, but we saw very little of them throughout the day. The way starts along an abandoned road to the right of the Barclay Lake trail. About 200 yards down the road find a cairn and a small stream coming down the hillside, this is the start of the unofficial trail that leads one most of the way to the summit. When in doubt stay right along the stream, don't head off into the dense second growth to the left as we did. There is a short stretch where it is necessary to walk in the creek and where some people make the mistake of heading for the trees. There is a faint route in the trees, but it is much worse than the more popular creek route. The trail heads more or less straight up the north side of the ridge until cresting it at about 4000'. Here the path meanders along the ridge crest for about a mile and then heads straight up hill (currently in snow) where the first good views of Baring since the parking lot can be had. We ascended the prominent gully to the right of the summit to 5550' (basically until you can't go any further). At this notch, to the north, is a steep section (~75') of snow that is really the only crux in reaching the summit right now. We had good snow conditions throughout the day and had little trouble getting up and down this section. We used ice axes and crampons, an ice ax was required. The rest of the way to the summit was straight forward along snow and rock. Excellent views from the summit with clear skies above a thick marine layer blanketing the lower elevations. The other two parties we saw at the trailhead never made the summit of Baring. In fact, it didn't appear that they even made the top of the ridge at 4000', very curious.
Excellent photos Tom!! I was up there a week later than your trip and saw your names in the summit register. Still waiting to get my photos developed. Hope they turn out half as good as yours!
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