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Ascent of Palen Mountains High Point on 2011-01-31

Climber: Dan Baxter

Other People:

Solo Ascent
Only Party on Mountain

Date:

Monday, January 31, 2011

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Motorized Transport to Trailhead:

4x4 Vehicle

Peak:

Palen Mountains High Point

Location:

USA-California

Elevation:

3848 ft / 1172 m

Ascent Trip Report

First, the DPS 2WD starting point is a definite 4WD (the roads out here are deteriating rapidly).
Second, the DPS description states to reach the ridgeline past point 964, then go up the ridge. I think the ridgeline would have a lot of ups and downs with serious exposure. I elected to traverse to the right (east) as I approached the ridgeline. Even then I would encounter high class 3 sections where I almost gave up. Don't fret! Every time this happens, just traverse a little more upward to the right and you will work your way up to the false summit, then just a 5 minute down and up to the summit and register.

This was Monday, my third DPS peak and 2000 ft prominence peak in as many days.

Winds were horrid the night before, rocking my Jeep and making sleep difficult, and on the lower elevations on the climb, but thankfully let up a little as I summited.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

2823 ft / 859 m

Elevation Loss:

2823 ft / 859 m

Grade/Class:

High class 2, brief

Quality:

5 (on a subjective 1-10 scale)

Route Conditions:

Road Hike, Open Country, Scramble, Exposed Scramble

Gear Used:

Ski Poles

Weather:

Cold, Windy, Clear

Ascent Statistics

Elevation Gain:

2723 ft / 829 m

Extra Loss:

100 ft / 30 m

Distance:

2.5 mi / 4 km

Route:

DPS Route B

Trailhead:

DPS 2WD starting point 1225 ft / 373 m

Descent Statistics