Mount Langley Extreme Day Hike

http://img2.meetupstatic.com/1723755200050492932723/img/smileys/biggrin.gif ~ California 14'r ~ http://img2.meetupstatic.com/1723755200050492932723/img/smileys/biggrin.gif

Hiking Category

Extreme Day Hike (https://www.meetup.com/Kern-Tulare-Hikers/pages/Hiking_Categories/) - This hike to Mount Langley (http://www.summitpost.org/mount-langley/150246) is listed as extreme due to the distance, elevation gain, altitude, navigation, the variety of skills and equipment needed, and the possible lack of sleep. This is not recommended for new hikers. It is important that you know the way (or bring a GPS) in case you have to turn around as hikers will not be able to slow down or turn around with you without sacrificing their own attempt at the summit. I can email you a complete KML file of the route if you request it. Class 1-3 (http://www.climber.org/data/decimal.html).

Hiking Plan

We will be at the trailhead (36.453410, -118.169700) at 5:00am, and will be placing a shuttle car at our exit point (36.459772, -118.163360). Once I know who is going we can coordinate this in advance. We will hike north up the trail until we reach the Cottonwood Lakes Basin at the meadow as seen in the photo below (36.498462, -118.220233).

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/5/4/7/event_33402311.jpeg

We will head west on the trail, and then NNW until we reach the bowl with Lake 3. We will traverse north around the lake and then climb Old Army Pass ( or just Army Pass for some ) which is on the west side of the lake ( Click here to see (http://www.summitpost.org/route-up-old-army-pass/7987) ).

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/a/4/1/event_34926721.jpeg

From the top of the pass (36.496478, -118.239212) we shall make the final approach to Mount Langley which is seen in the photo above from Cirque Peak. At this point we will really feel the altitude, and though it is only 2 miles to the summit it may take us awhile to get there (14026') (36.522962, -118.239498). There is some climbing involved in this section but not too much. After hanging out and enjoying the view we will hike back to the vehicles.

It is possible that we will get assaulted by hail or rain in the afternoon. The storms approach quickly, pelt us really hard, and then leave. Click here for the weather forecast (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.5234323276382&lon=-118.23760986328125&site=hnx&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text). http://img2.meetupstatic.com/981263258369601089/img/smileys/smile.gif

The elevation gain for this hike is about 4200 feet, and the round trip distance is 23 miles ( click here (http://www.peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=32796) ). Mount Langley is the 58th tallest peak (http://americasroof.com/fourteeners.shtml) in the lower 48 United States as well an SPS (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/sps/spslist.pdf) peak.

Class What?

It is important that we all understand the rating system that organizers use on their hikes. For my hikes I generally use something close to the Yosemite Decimal System. I have seen many different versions of this system, and many are adamant that their version is the right version and etc.. The best description I have seen of the five classes that seems to encompass the most general idea may be found at Climber.org under ‘Five Classes of Climbing Difficulty’ ( click here (http://www.climber.org/data/decimal.html) ).

*** WAIVER OF LIABILITY *** The Organizers, and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Kern Tulare Peak Baggers and Trail Hikers Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.

http://img2.meetupstatic.com/1723755200050492932723/img/smileys/biggrin.gif ~ California 14'r ~ http://img2.meetupstatic.com/1723755200050492932723/img/smileys/biggrin.gif