Wind River Range VS. Sierra Nevada

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List

This thread has been locked

Messages 21 - 36 of total 36 in this topic

<< First | < Previous | Show All | Next > | Last >>

steve shea

climber

Apr 13, 2015 - 07:53am PT

Norm's and TWP's post pretty much sums it up. Approaches I think are part of the deal and the reward is the wild, remote nature of the place.

One thing not mentioned is the skiing and alpine/ice climbing. Depending on what you want to do the season can be long. On average snow years here, 450" or so the Winds can get more than their fair share. The range is particularly prone to up slope storms dumping significant snow. Given the elevation mentioned by Norm and the snow pack the season for rock is tight.

That snowpack though, depending on the year can offer August neve and ice the likes of the Black Ice etc. I have had fun alpine climbing in there many times. Deep NE facing gullies splitting some big walls offer the best chances. Ihe spring offers up great BC touring and camping. The usual trip is to ski into the area of choice, camp and yo yo the surrounding snow fields.

There is also waterfall climbing. And I am not referring to the Golden Tears area outside of Dubois. There are waterfall/seep routes that will impress. You just have to go look for them. Late autumn is the time to go but you can get snowed out any time so be ready.

The winds have been down graded to a Wilderness Area. When I started going in there in 1970 it was known as the Popo Agie Primitive area. The trails were not marked nor was there any maintenance of any sort. There were more shepherds in there than climbers. We used to go in for weeks at a time, resupply in Pinedale then go in again. If you do want to explore and have a remote alpine experience go Winds. Plus there are more routes to do than you can imagine and I'm not talking existing climbs.

looks easy from here

climber

Ben Lomond, CA

Apr 13, 2015 - 08:02am PT

I really enjoy long, beautiful approaches as part of the adventure of isolated climbing, but needing to take a plane is a bit too much of an approach for now.

Branscomb

Trad climber

Lander, WY

Apr 13, 2015 - 08:30am PT

Winds are okay, certainly have had a lot of nice trips in there, but I'm a Californian at heart, born and raised and there is no range in the world more beautiful and with better stone to climb on than the Sierra Nevada.

NML81

Trad climber

N Lake Tahoe

Apr 13, 2015 - 10:41am PT

I found the cross-country hiking and a multitude of 4th class routes in the Winds to be similar to the Sierra, very good. The breaker for me was the permitting. Last time I was in the Winds, I pulled up to the trailhead, filled out a permit and went on my merry way, like it. Not possible in the Sierra.

Charlie D.

Trad climber

Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra

Apr 13, 2015 - 11:24am PT

Ha Bob! You sound a little home sick, hope to see you in the Trench this season.

Cheers,

Charlie D.

NutAgain!

Trad climber

South Pasadena, CA

Apr 13, 2015 - 11:56am PT

I'm just back from nearly a week in Saline Valley, accessed via the north side after driving up Highway 395 and cutting east from Big Pine.

I've come to the conclusion that there is essentially infinite new rock to explore, no way to consume it in many lifetimes. If it is just the rock you want, look close to home for the unexplored nooks and crannies. If it is about the overall experience, that need to see what is around the next corner, you can satisfy that itch going ridge to ridge in a small patch of the Sierras or visiting many countries to explore the world or anything in between. Hard to go wrong with any choice.

One of my favorite mottos is "why choose when you can have both?"

Branscomb

Trad climber

Lander, WY

Apr 13, 2015 - 12:37pm PT

Yes, Charlie, I get pretty homesick for California granite. I'm in the machine now supervising the lab and part of Allied Health which is good, because my daughter, bless her heart, is attending a ridiculously expensive university in the Pac NW, so, I gotta do this. May get out there the beginning of June, but see how goes.

mike m

Trad climber

black hills

Apr 13, 2015 - 01:19pm PT

Love the winds I think I would love the sierras also. But would not love permits that are only had by a few. Hope to go to the Big Horns this weekend. They are the real deal for lots of thousand+ foot cliffs from 10-13,000ft. Fishing in the Big Horns may be better as well.

dogtown

Trad climber

Cheyenne, Wyoming and Marshall Islands atoll.

Apr 14, 2015 - 02:12pm PT

I think Norm pretty much nailed it. Especially the comments about the wildlife, a can or two of pepper spray not a bad idea around campsite and on trail. Something you can pretty much do without in the Sierra. As for the mosquito and Bugs in general “Unpleasant to be sure”.

limpingcrab

Trad climber

the middle of CA

Apr 14, 2015 - 03:20pm PT

One that always surprises me in the Sierra is the lack of wildlife.

Agree to disagree with this one. I suppose if you're talking about megafauna (big things with cute eyes) and usually go to the high Sierra, then the Winds win. On the other hand, the Sierra Nevada is far more biologically diverse than an of the continental ranges.

Not really the kind of diversity most people who aren't huge nerds would notice or enjoy... Lucky for me I'm a huge nerd!

limpingcrab

Trad climber

the middle of CA

Apr 14, 2015 - 03:58pm PT

^^^^^^ It's crazy how much that picture looks like the Sierra! I've always wanted to go back to the Winds to climb, they sure are pretty to look at. Definitely less critters visible in the forest around here...

Bad Fiducci

climber

Wilson, WY

Apr 14, 2015 - 04:37pm PT

The Winds suck... tell your friends....

steveA

Trad climber

Wolfeboro, NH

Apr 14, 2015 - 06:38pm PT

The biggest faces in the Winds tend to be located the furthest from the trailhead.

The East Fork Valley has some of the ranges longest routes, but the hike in is about 16 miles. I have gone in and out quite a few times in one day, carrying 60-70 lbs. but it is hard work.

The main face of Ambush Peak has a few 16 pitch routes on it, all of which are 5.10.