Moonlight Climb of Mt. San Antonio

A full moon and clear skies prompted Jonathan and I to attempt to summit Mt. San Antonio (aka "Old Baldy") last week. We started from Manker Flat (6000') at 9pm and climbed to the Sierra Club Hut (7500'). After chowing down two big Gelson's turkey sandwiches, we traversed into the bowl and started climbing again. At 8800' Jonanthan barfed twice. He soldiered on for a bit, but we ended up bailing out and heading for home about 1000' below the summit. That can happen when you drive up from sea level and climb too hard at altitude. We'll get it next time!

Bottom of the bowl, as seen from the hut. The moon was so bright, I climbed without turning on my headlamp

Another party on the route (you can see two lights high up)---can't believe anyone else would try this, too

Still smiling at about 8000'


The snow and ice had set up firmly---good cramponing and no chance of avalanche!

Jonathan on the descent

That's not the sunrise. It's the lights of the San Gabriel Valley behind us.