Trip Report
The Galena Gauntlet
Friday February 19, 2010 1:06pm
On February 15, three of us climbed a nearly 2000-foot couloir in the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California. All we had to go on was this photo I took two weeks prior:

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"The Galena Gauntlet" on Peak 9164
"The Galena Gauntlet" on Peak 9164
Credit: Sam Page
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The route consisted of 30-50 degree snow of varying consolidation with some icy sections. Here is a close-up of the couloir:

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The Gauntlet is the constriction at the couloir's midpoint
The Gauntlet is the constriction at the couloir's midpoint
Credit: Sam Page
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Since climbing the route, I have learned of one prior ascent. Does anyone have info on the route?

Here is the full trip report.

  Trip Report Views: 1,686
Sam Page
About the Author
Sam Page is a mountain climber from Orange County, CA.

Comments
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
  Feb 19, 2010 - 10:19pm PT
Where is it exactly?
I grew up clambering the San Gabriel Mountains.
Sam Page

Mountain climber
Orange County, CA
Author's Reply  Feb 19, 2010 - 10:48pm PT
Tarbuster: The couloir leads up to Yucaipa Ridge from Mill Creek Canyon, which is the long canyon on the southern side of Mt. San Gorgonio.
DonC

climber
Bishop and Redlands
  Feb 21, 2010 - 09:45pm PT
I used to live in Forest Falls and did many of the chutes over the years.
10b4me

Social climber
Lida Junction
  Feb 26, 2010 - 11:23pm PT
actually, I believe that couloir has been done several times.
I could be mistaken
altelis

Mountain climber
NM
  Mar 2, 2010 - 10:17pm PT
Can't tell TOO much about conditions, but it does look like the trip coulda been 1/2 as long and 2x as fast had you lashed some skis or sleds to your backs...
Alois

Trad climber
Idyllwild, California
  Mar 3, 2010 - 12:20am PT
Sam

Michael Gordon and I scranbled up this thing and the long ridgeline to the summit sometime in late January of 1998 or 1999. We descended to the saddle and took the regular route down to the valley. Had a good and hard snow all the way. Fun trip. I bet there are other people who did this. Cheers, Alois.
Sam Page

Mountain climber
Orange County, CA
Author's Reply  Mar 5, 2010 - 07:35pm PT
Alois: Yes, Michael Gordon mentioned your ascent on another forum. Thanks for chiming in here.
Karen

Trad climber
Prescott, AZ ~
  Mar 10, 2010 - 11:53pm PT
Cool guys! I enjoy reading about local stuff, so thanks for posting.
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