Incredible Hulk Approach Conditions

Anyone go out that way lately and can shed some light on the river crossing and overall snow conditions up there?  I'm living in Southern Utah these days and have heard that the rivers in the Sierra are raging right about now.  Please and thank you!

Did red dihedral on the 22nd. Crossing easy over a down tree. Some snow on approach. We shared a pair of microspikes and trekking poles. We rapped Venturi, the descent gulley had a lot of snow in it but might be fine. 

sam england wrote: Did red dihedral on the 22nd. Crossing easy over a down tree. Some snow on approach. We shared a pair of microspikes and trekking poles. We rapped Venturi, the descent gulley had a lot of snow in it but might be fine. 

Awesome!  Thank you so much!

Bump

Daniel Melnyk wrote: Bump

Why? Someone just gave an update 3 days ago. I am sure the condis haven't changed much.

master gumby wrote:

Why? Someone just gave an update 3 days ago. I am sure the condis haven't changed much.

Maybe someone who has actually knowledge of the descent gully has or other approach information

Daniel Melnyk wrote:

Maybe someone who has actually knowledge of the descent gully has or other approach information

I imagine that the descent gully will be filled for quite some time (obviously I say this without having been up there since last year).  It sounds like the Sierra got a TON of snow this winter.  Also I don't know what other approach info there may be.

I walked out of there yesterday.  Early in the morning crampons or microspikes are more or less mandatory to approach.  The last good free water is in the gully just before the final 100-200 vertical feet before the plateau.  By 300 the snow had softened and was mellow to slide down.  You could theoretically avoid cramponing by walking up to camp late in the day and walking up the talus on the side of the snow tongue to the base, but you wouldn't be camped near good access to water.  Didn't get eyes on the descent gully, but I'm sure it's pretty snowy.

Any updates from recent trips? 

I was up there over the weekend, approaching late made micro spikes not needed. A few small snow fields along the way that are easily managed. Couloir decent is dry except for a small snow field visible from the usual camp, easy to slide down in the afternoon. There is a small lake of fresh water coming off one of the snow fields near camp as well. Hope this helps! Enjoy!

Depending on the time of day and your personal comfort on snow you may not need spikes/crampons but be careful and assess the risks for yourself! We were up there this weekend as well (Peter--i think we were the only 2 parties on the whole wall, crazy right?) and a friend got hurt on the hike in, slipping/falling on some snow ( facebook.com/monosearchandr…). We also didn't use traction, but it's easy to underestimate the risks of a slip.

So sorry to hear about your friend, it was sad to see the helicopter in the morning. I hope they have a quick recovery!

Scary read - I hope that your friend is okay. That is a long time to be on her own, in critical and deteriorating condition. Do you have any news on how she is now? Must have been awful for her partner as well.

I once set out to cross a snow field that seemed mellow, and it felt mellow exactly until the point it stopped seeming even remotely mellow, about midway through and over a frightening drop I hadn't sussed well. Be careful out there, all.

At 11:51 pm on Saturday, July 13, the Team was called for a report of a 28 year-old female hiker from the Bay Area who had fallen down a steep snow-filled gully in the vicinity of the Incredible Hulk and had slid out of sight of her hiking partner.
The pair between them had one pair of crampons and one pair of snow traction devices, and they split the gear so that each had a crampon on one foot, and a traction device on the other. They then attempted to cross a steep snowfield above several steep snow-filled gullies, and the subject slipped and slid/tumbled down the gully out of sight of the reporting party (RP).
The RP hailed her partner several times, and no response was received. She realized she was not equipped to safely descend the gully to attempt to locate her friend, and with no mobile phone service available, immediately set out for help.
The RP hiked out approximately 2 hours to Mono Village and from there called 911 via landline for assistance. The Team responded to the Barney Lake Trailhead, just outside of the Mono Village resort.
Three field teams comprised of nine rescuers (including 3 EMTs) left Rescue Base at approximately 12:30 am (technically now Sunday, July 14) and the RP accompanied the field teams to guide them to the PLS (Place Last Seen). Navigating in the dark by headlamp, the field teams arrived at the PLS in approximately 2.5 hours.
The subject was quickly located, but was found to be in critical condition with traumatic head injuries, numerous broken bones, hypothermia, and likely internal damage. The subject was non-responsive throughout.
Prior to leaving Rescue Base, the field teams had requested air resources, due to extremely difficult travel conditions between the Barney Lake Trail and the base of the Incredible Hulk. CHP H40 stated that they would begin flight preparations and preflight at 0430, and would be on station by 0600.
The subject was treated and packaged, and her condition continued to deteriorate. The field teams initiated rescue breathing to maintain vitals. CHP H40 arrived overhead at approximately 0640, assessed the situation, and departed to drop excess gear. At 0740 CHP H40 lowered the Bowman bag, and the titanium frame litter was loaded into the bag, and H40 raised the package.
CHP H40 then flew the subject directly to Bridgeport International Airport, and the subject was transferred to Care Flight and flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.

Daniel Melnyk wrote:

Maybe someone who has actually knowledge of the descent gully has or other approach information

Hence, the sterilization of life...

Anyone have the GPX file for the approach. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to share here. 

Michael Arriola wrote: Anyone have the GPX file for the approach. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to share here. 

https://caltopo.com/m/S81B is my track from last weekend

Heading out tomorrow - crampons still recommended? (approaching and descending in the afternoon hours)  

Michael Arriola wrote: Heading out tomorrow - crampons still recommended? (approaching and descending in the afternoon hours)  

We never used crampons a few weeks ago. We rappelled off and did not do the summit descent

I cannot imagine that you'd want or need crampons on the hike in

Also, the approach is about as simple as it gets... Follow the trail until you see an obvious left hand turn, stay on that trail until you get to the obvious giant rock that everyone calls 'the hulk'

Last weekend we approached and descended in afternoon/evening when the snow was soft and did okay in tennies with trekking poles.

How are the mosquitos? As bad as Tuolumne right now?

This is a gnarly thread...  Hope the young woman mentioned above is recovering...  Sending positive vibes!!