
It was either going to be a rescue or a body recovery. We chose the former.
Sally and I planned to hike up Register Ridge to Harwood, then over to Baldy and down the Ski Hut trail. We specifically avoided the Baldy Bowl due to avalanche concerns. Donned snowshoes at the base of the trail. Two skiers passed us before we turned off on the Register route. Before long, we wanted better purchase on the snow and switched to crampons and ice-axes. The snow was icy and often covered with frozen rime ice that had fallen from trees and bushes. There was so much new snow that the usual route was completely obscured, so we switch-backed our way up the ridge, trying to stay on the right side but far away from the corniced right edge. Whenever possible, I kicked in steps, otherwise I was side stepping up. Due to the rime ice on top of the snow, I tested every step before committing. Sometimes the rime ice broke off, so I had to find another place to step


A bit after 12 noon, we reached a relatively flat saddle area and checked our elevation -- Holy <expletive deleted> we were only at 8,200 feet


We listened for the thump-thump-thump of a helicopter. Time passed. We started to get concerned and I pressed the 911 button on my SPOT. As we waited, clouds started rolling in


We were flown to Cow Canyon Saddle, then driven back to Baldy Village and up to Manker by Sherriff Faro: https://local.nixle.com/alert/5835610
These guys are heroes -- we love them. We are so glad no one was injured saving us. I've been reading the posts on the Sherriff's FB page. As in 2008, people are saying very nasty things.
Observations:
1) I have NEVER experienced conditions like this on Register Ridge or the Baldy Bowl and I've climbed in the Baldy/Cucamonga wilderness since 2009. I've always been able to go up Register safely with ice axe and crampons in the snow. Apparently, these conditions are similar to when numerous people died last year.
2) We had crampons, ice-axes, snowshoes, down jackets, rain jackets and enough food and fluid to spend the night.
3) We both had SPOT's and cell phones. We couldn't call or text from our location.
4) We will be making a donation to the SAR group that works with the San Bernardino County Sherriff's department -- West Valley Search and Rescue: http://westvalleysar.org
5) Our rescuers were very happy that we were prepared and not injured or dead, On the way back to Manker, Sherriff Farrow shared horror stories of last year's rescues/fatalities -- he is very concerned about the upcoming weekend.
6) Without snow, it usually takes me under 2.5 hours to summit Baldy from Register and about 5 hours for the full trip. With snow, it has taken 4 hours to summit Baldy. Yesterday, It took over four hours to gain 2,200 ft.
An embarrassed but grateful Ellen.