The Las Vegas Hiking and Outdoors Meetup

September 20, 2009 7:00 AM - 8 attended

Mack's Peak Traverse - Exposure on Steriods!

Starbucks @ 95/N. Durango (map)

Selected By: A former member

41 photos of this Meetup

Uploaded by: Shin

This is the HIKE in Mt. Charleston. The real hike begins at Mack's Peak. We traverse the entire ridge to North Mack's Peak. There's big time exposure and lots of class 4 climbing.
All hikers most be approved to go on this hike.

NEW Rules for no shows:
The first time anyone RSVPs "Yes" and does not show up for the hike: barred for one month from my hikes.
The second time anyone RSVPs "Yes" and does not show up for the hike: barred for life from my hikes.
This does not apply if you change your RSVP to "No" at least 24 hours before the hike.

We need high clearance vehicles for this hike.

Hike: Mack’s Traverse – Closed Loop
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet
Elevation peak: 10,033 and 9,820 feet Northern Summit
Time: 5 to 6 hours
Difficulty: 4
Danger level: 5
Class: 4+

Slide Show

Shin
I remember that 'knife edge' pass. I saw it from Macs North on last year and got scared. This hike will be the most challanging one for me.

Posted September 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Marianne
Wow! Shin, the pictures you took were amazing. Too bad there werent any pics of you, hanging on the cliff;) I heard you guys had a great time--lot's of crazy exposure, and tricky footwork. I'll get myself ready to do this one next year!

Posted September 20, 2009 at 10:09 PM
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8 attended

5.007 (7 ratings)

Shin
Superman, Assistant Organizer

I had really good time with great hikers. I agree with Branch that even one inexperienced hiker would destroyed this hike. The SAFETY was the key of this hike and I was really confortable hiking with this group. I can't imagine how stressful leading this hike with inexperienced hikers. This is one of the top 3 hikes in 'I don't want to lead' list. (Another 2 is Mummy Head to Toe Traverse and Lone Pine Peak via North Face) I found we were the first group (and maybe the last) made the North summit this year. Actually there were only 2 hiker made it since last August that we made it last time. I'm really glad that I made this traverse. It was just the dream to do this since I saw this route 1 year ago. Thanks Branch !
Jerry MacKenzie
Crazy Canuck

You know what it feels like, when your at the very edge of a cliff, looking way down at the bottom, knowing if you make one mistake, you will die. This hike was kind of like that, except the very edge of the cliff was on both sides of us, and we were only half way through our hike. I loved it and would sign up again. Thank you Branch and the great group of hard core hikers that were there for making it fun.
Carl P

This hike was a walk in the park. NOT!!! Just like it says "Exposure on Steroids". A great, challenging hike with a little bit of everything. Starts off easy and quickly becomes a good challenge as you gain the ridge towards the peak. At the base of the peak you get your first taste of what's to come as you climb a ramp up to the peak. Once on the peak the traverse to the north peak is in sight. It looks like its only about 1/2 hour away. NOT!!! The first part of the traverse is not so bad as you go to the second high point. From there a short descent along the ridge and then drop down on the west side and back up to ridge below a prominent thumb. From here it is all exposure along a knife edge, a fall here and its goodnight Irene. 100+ feet on either side. After about 100' on the knife edge a small climbs gets you to the 3rd high point. Some climbing and you're at the north peak. Finally. But the hike is far from over. The descent takes you all the way around the north peak and back.
Dan

Big effort = big exposure = big fun!
mark rosen

it was a great hike despite the near death exposure experience
K K
Trail Baby
Olexandra
A former member