Please Wait While Photos Load !
High Camp - on Mount Ritter can be as varied as there are climbers. Most as mentioned in an earlier
section set up high camp on the shores of Ediza Lake, and this would certainly be a great option due to the
beauty in that area. Others approach Mt Ritter from the Thousand Lakes area (on the opposite side of the
peak) and climb both Ritter and Banner. This is also a great option and there is much beauty there also (along
with billions of mosquitoes in season). We decided to move up a little higher and camp on an upper snow
field. This avoids the fragile environment of Ediza Lake and the surrounding meadows; the crowds (in busy
seasons); and provides for a nice high early start on summit day. I also find that compacted snow makes for a
great tent platform or bivy site. This is because it is easy to level out snow with an ice ax. It is also free of
shark little rocks and roots that seem to jab you in the back while trying to get comfortable in the night (they
can also poke holes in your tent or sleeping gear). If you oppt for this setup, always remember to have a good
piece of insulation between you and the ground. This is necessary no matter where you camp, but it is even
more vital when sleeping on a frozen section of the mountain.
section set up high camp on the shores of Ediza Lake, and this would certainly be a great option due to the
beauty in that area. Others approach Mt Ritter from the Thousand Lakes area (on the opposite side of the
peak) and climb both Ritter and Banner. This is also a great option and there is much beauty there also (along
with billions of mosquitoes in season). We decided to move up a little higher and camp on an upper snow
field. This avoids the fragile environment of Ediza Lake and the surrounding meadows; the crowds (in busy
seasons); and provides for a nice high early start on summit day. I also find that compacted snow makes for a
great tent platform or bivy site. This is because it is easy to level out snow with an ice ax. It is also free of
shark little rocks and roots that seem to jab you in the back while trying to get comfortable in the night (they
can also poke holes in your tent or sleeping gear). If you oppt for this setup, always remember to have a good
piece of insulation between you and the ground. This is necessary no matter where you camp, but it is even
more vital when sleeping on a frozen section of the mountain.
Mount Ritter - High Camp timberlinetrails.net
Dawn, high up on a snowfield in the Ritter range is
spectacular. Here you see Ritter on the left and
Banner Peak on the right in all their glory. Our summit
day route involved gaining the saddle between the
peaks mentioned above. We then climbed the north
face route. We found it to be an excellent climb.
spectacular. Here you see Ritter on the left and
Banner Peak on the right in all their glory. Our summit
day route involved gaining the saddle between the
peaks mentioned above. We then climbed the north
face route. We found it to be an excellent climb.
Here you see an overview of our high camp on Ritter.
Eddie and I choose to use a tent as seen above. Setting
up on the snow is easy to do, but make sure to use a
good insulating pad between you and the snow base.
Having a rock outcropping available, if possible, is also
handy for a dry place to cook dinner or just hang out.
Eddie and I choose to use a tent as seen above. Setting
up on the snow is easy to do, but make sure to use a
good insulating pad between you and the snow base.
Having a rock outcropping available, if possible, is also
handy for a dry place to cook dinner or just hang out.
Mike above, sorting out his gear in high camp. He
along with Sean below, choose to use the
traditional bivy bag for shelter on the mountain.
The bivy bag uses minimal space, and is fast and
easy to set up. They also provide excellent weather
proofing in all sorts of storms and conditions.
along with Sean below, choose to use the
traditional bivy bag for shelter on the mountain.
The bivy bag uses minimal space, and is fast and
easy to set up. They also provide excellent weather
proofing in all sorts of storms and conditions.
Sean with a satisfied smile after
completing the Ritter summit,
awakes on pack out day to clear
skies and warmer conditions.
completing the Ritter summit,
awakes on pack out day to clear
skies and warmer conditions.
Eddie enjoying a snack in high camp. Moments
like this give you a chance to take time out and
enjoy your surroundings. So much time is
spent performing the essentials of climbing the
mountain, that failure to enjoy your
surroundings is often a consequence of it all.
like this give you a chance to take time out and
enjoy your surroundings. So much time is
spent performing the essentials of climbing the
mountain, that failure to enjoy your
surroundings is often a consequence of it all.
Marmots typically live in burrows, and
hibernate there through the winter. They are
highly social, and use loud whistles to
communicate with one another, especially
when alarmed. They are common visitors to
camp sites in the mountains, and this particular
critter decided to spend some time with us
during our vist to Mt Ritter.
hibernate there through the winter. They are
highly social, and use loud whistles to
communicate with one another, especially
when alarmed. They are common visitors to
camp sites in the mountains, and this particular
critter decided to spend some time with us
during our vist to Mt Ritter.
I find early mornings in the mountains to be the
most opportunistic time for taking photographs.
Long shadows and contrasting light are a formula
for great images. Late day photos are also
fantastic. The magic lighting of sunrise and sunset
do not last long, however, so if you enjoy
photography and you want to get the best from
you hobby, don't let the early morning light find
you napping.
most opportunistic time for taking photographs.
Long shadows and contrasting light are a formula
for great images. Late day photos are also
fantastic. The magic lighting of sunrise and sunset
do not last long, however, so if you enjoy
photography and you want to get the best from
you hobby, don't let the early morning light find
you napping.
Mike getting some extra rest on pack out day. If
this were summit day, we would be long gone
before sunrise. It is always best to get an early start
when going for any summit. This tactic is
important because it will maximize the amount of
sunlight available latter in the day when one is tired
and more prone to error.
this were summit day, we would be long gone
before sunrise. It is always best to get an early start
when going for any summit. This tactic is
important because it will maximize the amount of
sunlight available latter in the day when one is tired
and more prone to error.