Clark Mountains, New York Mountains

5-Apr-70

By: John Vitz

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Leaders: John Vitz/Jerry Haven

We met at 8:30 at the Mountain Pass Mine 39 miles east of Baker for the start of the caravan to the roadhead for Clark. As the leader had not been there for a couple of years he had made a scouting trip to the roadhead earlier that morning which proved a good thing because some new roads had been pushed through the area. All the cars made it with little difficulty even though there were a number of rather rocky spots. From the roadhead we proceeded to the north into a gully, over a waterfall and up the talus and scree slopes below prominent band of cliffs to a chute where the cliffs intersect the east-west summit ridge. Some time was spent getting the group of 29 up this chute as there was quite a bit of loose rock. This obstacle passed, the summit was gained in good time, that being about two hours overall. It was cold and windy on top and before we could leave it started to snow lightly.

After returning to the cars we caravaned in two groups around the east side of the New York Mountains to a campsite on the south side. The wind velocity had increased somewhat and it looked as though it were going to be a cold night. However, there were a number of wind-sheltered campsites available. It was still gusty the next morning and clouds were blotting out the sun from time to time causing it to be rather chilly. We hiked up the jeep trail to the Giant Ledge Mine from which we followed a gully westward, past the south side of the prominent east pinnacle, and ascended to the summit ridge just south of the top. From here we turned the corner to the west and north and followed a scrambling route diagonally up and left across the west face. The last 30 feet is easy third class and all but three people decided to give it a go. It was very cold and windy on the summit so we retreated to the south shoulder where we had lunch. The climb had taken slightly more than two hours, so that everyone was back at the cars early in the afternoon. Although the group was fairly large we made good time and had no serious problems even though it was our rookie outing as leaders. I should expound for some length on the great beauty, of the New York Mountains, but it really must be seen first hand.


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