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Re: Russell > Whitney > Muir
Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 7:59 am
by psycholoco
I did this loop last September and would totally recommend your original plan if you're a speedy hiker. I've got some climb times posted (along with strava file below) if you want to get a feel for how long it will take. For what it's worth, I had been at sea level for 6 weeks before this one and was feeling the altitude. I felt the difficulty of Russell's East Ridge was a bit overhyped, and more like CO class 3 rather than CA class 3, although I'm pretty comfortable with exposure. Descending Russell you'll want to head back towards the east peak to descend the south face. I found the entry point pretty easy to spot and the down climb wasn't too bad. There's definitely some tedious scree coming down, but nothing I hadn't done before in Colorado. After coming through the pass after coming down Russell and over to Iceberg lake I decided to do a high traverse towards the MR. That was a huge pain in the ass. Go down to Iceberg and filter some water. I ended up running out of water and had to bum some on the Whitney summit. Muir was a fun scramble and a little tricky topping out, but then I found an easier way down. The jog down the main trail feels pretty long after all that, but it does make for a nice loop. You should be able to grab the gps from my strava file, but if not let me know and I can send it to you.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4023324824
And let me know if you have specific questions.
Re: Russell > Whitney > Muir
Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 6:32 pm
by Dayute
psycholoco wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:59 am
I did this loop last September and would totally recommend your original plan if you're a speedy hiker. I've got some climb times posted (along with strava file below) if you want to get a feel for how long it will take. For what it's worth, I had been at sea level for 6 weeks before this one and was feeling the altitude. I felt the difficulty of Russell's East Ridge was a bit overhyped, and more like CO class 3 rather than CA class 3, although I'm pretty comfortable with exposure. Descending Russell you'll want to head back towards the east peak to descend the south face. I found the entry point pretty easy to spot and the down climb wasn't too bad. There's definitely some tedious scree coming down, but nothing I hadn't done before in Colorado. After coming through the pass after coming down Russell and over to Iceberg lake I decided to do a high traverse towards the MR. That was a huge pain in the ass. Go down to Iceberg and filter some water. I ended up running out of water and had to bum some on the Whitney summit. Muir was a fun scramble and a little tricky topping out, but then I found an easier way down. The jog down the main trail feels pretty long after all that, but it does make for a nice loop. You should be able to grab the gps from my strava file, but if not let me know and I can send it to you.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4023324824
And let me know if you have specific questions.
This is excellent info, thank you. I was able to grab your GPX and it will be a great reference. I had read in other reports that attempting to go high from the W/R saddle to the MR was more trouble than it was worth. I think I'll probably end up sticking with the original plan and starting on Russell so I can make the go or head back call from Iceberg Lake after a nice rest and rehydrate.
I managed to pick up another day pass for 2 days after my original date so that will leave me a good fall back option if I need to bail. Im expecting a very long day but thats a big part of why I want to do it. Im planning Snowmass in a day and Capitol in a day as warm ups in the next few months.