This is primarily meant as a report of the snow level and conditions in the area. The details below are for those interested in this area in the winter. Overall, it's fairly accessible to get to the Yellow Aster tarns basin with a predominantly smooth gradient and little high-risk avalanche terrain. Generally, the TH from which we began is not snow-free this time of year.
Ignas, Andy, and I had been not-so-patiently waiting for a clear, cold for a winter attempt of Tomyhoi Peak. I had attempted Tomyhoi as a solo trip I'm February of 2022, but had turn back near the summit due to time constraints. Fast forward two years, with additional human power and the potential to drive to the lower trailhead, we gave it a shot!
The Keep Kool Trailhead (3,100', not an official name, about 2.4 miles up the Twin Lakes road) was shockingly snowfree. A stark contrast snow down to WA 542 on the prior attempt. We set off at 4:30 am and were in the Yellow Aster Tarns basin by sunrise (7:20 am). We didn't hit snow until 4,500' and were able to follow the trail for the most part. We donned snowshoes around 5,300'. From there to about 6,400' along the trail (or where it should be under the snow) the snow was fairly firm with only a couple inches depth to each step. After 6,400', the snow was less consolidated/iced and we sank a bit further down. When we made it to 7,300', we transitioned to crampons and axes for the first of two steep snow traverses. We continued past the false summit to the summit block for the second steep snow traverse, then climbed the hidden gully. A bit of scrambling brought us to the summit proper at 10:30 am. We trip out was uneventful albeit beautiful. We were back at the cars by 2:45 pm.
Comments
Glen99 on Tomyhoi Peak
Impressive! Looks amazing!
Posted by:
Glen99 on Feb 26, 2024 02:34 PM