"T 5"

Route: Governor Basin
Posted On: 7/16/2023, By: slawrence2011
Info: Learned that the governor basin road going left at every fork avoids private property issues and is pretty direct. Started by climbing the cool cross couloir that appeared to be right below T5. Great climbing conditions around 8 am, N Facing so a lot of the snow was still in the shade and bulletproof. Suncupped a good bit in the non shaded parts. I got to the top of the col and realized it is a col that does not summit. It appears to be on the ridge N of T5, but the ridge is class 5 and loose and nowhere near passable. I saw other prints up there, so sure others have skied. Dropped in around 9:30, which was way too early, the snow was still bulletproof in the steep narrow crux, so did a harrowing side step through that, plus some rocks all the way across in there. After that, great jump turn conditions, and traversed skiers left to the base of the main lower col (part of the mad rock 100 route yesterday), then took snow all the way to the T5 Mendota saddle, and took standard route up T5. I clicked in from the subsummit, traversed skiers left, and dropped in to the Couloir right above the standard snowfield. Great conditions, then dropped into the lower couloir below the Mendota upper Col, then from there traversed skiers right out and linked snowfields down to the road. 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 5/30/2023, By: supranihilest
Info: From high in Governor Basin below Mendota Peak we went east towards the Mendota/"T 5" saddle. We didn't climb the saddle directly, instead climbing a longer, steeper (45 degree) line east of a cluster of towers just above the saddle, since we weren't sure what the scrambling up from the saddle itself would be like. The ridge from there is easy with one up-and-down bump to go over. Generally good snow that was very firm in the morning. Some of the team skied one of "T 5"'s north couloirs (>50 degrees and thin) while some of us returned down the ridge and reversed our route through the basin, which was a much longer but easier option. 

Route: Governer Gulch
Posted On: 9/5/2022, By: IHikeLikeAGirl
Info: 100% Agree with Jason Kline. When we decided to attempt "T 5", I saw the trail for the "Hard Rock 100" on my Gaia app and assumed it would be, "a sure thing." It was not....Why do I keep falling for this? Although not death defying, the Hard Rock 100 trail is far, FAR, from a class 1 trail. The trail to the ridge (and back down),..and back down 2 more gullies (to/from the road to wherever the heck you may have parked)...is quite unpleasant. Be prepared for hardpan, scree, loose talus, on a steep slope. As a former trail runner, my hats are off to the participants of the Hard Rock 100 race.... Ah, but I digress. Once on the ridge, there is a short, Class 2+, section (where care should be taken), and then it's a delightful, tundra/embedded scree stroll to the summit. Then back to the unpleasant Hard Rock 100 Trail descent..... Register was placed on the summit of "T 5". Will add photos soon 

Route: Governor Basin
Posted On: 7/20/2022, By: JasonKline
Info: Summer conditions. The Hardrock 100 route between Governor Basin and Kroger's Canteen is ridiculously steep and loose. Every time I do a Thirteener route that involves the Hardrock 100 course, I know I'm in for a hard day. 

Route: Governor Basin
Posted On: 8/11/2019, By: Mtnman200
Info: You can drive most of the way up the jeep road until snow covers the road at 11,940'. Bring traction and an ice axe, as you'll need them for the rest of summer 2019, based on how much snow is still on the route.