Northern Pickets - Little Beaver-Whatcom-Challenger-Luna-Big Beaver 7/16/2008
Trip: Northern Pickets - Little Beaver-Whatcom-Challenger-Luna-Big Beaver
Date: 7/16/2008
Trip Report:Just a quick report on the conditions in the N. Pickets.
Trail to Whatcom Pass on Little Beaver trail is mostly cleared, smooth sailing except for one big avalanche deposit just before the trail steepens.
We walked around Whatcom Peak on the east side. It was very easy and took about 2 hours from Whatcom Pass to Perfect Pass. The scramble of Whatcom from the south side is quick...30 minutes RT. There were some ski tracks up there and also up on Challenger. Nice work, whoever that was!
Challenger Glacier is in good shape between Perfect Pass and camp on N side of Challenger.
The snowbridge across the bergschrund below Challenger summit is still pretty beefy, but I think it will be getting pretty thin in about two weeks. Getting to the summit of Challenger was easy. Take 2-3 slings or draws.
The traverse of Luna Cirque was pretty straightforward. Drop over the shoulder at about the same elevation as the camp for Challenger, and then pick your way down and right. We didnt down all the way to Lousy Lake, but be careful of rockfall on your way to Luna Lake.
From Luna Col, head around the shoulder you can see from the col and take the gully that is called the "2nd gully". It was super easy getting down this way and you can plunge step all the way down to the bushwhacking section of the trip. Getting down Access Creek wasnt that bad. Read older reports and follow them.
There is a 12" diameter log just downstream(2 minute walk) of the Acess Creek/Big Beaver confluence. You have to scooch across on your butt, but at least it's there.
We stashed 12 PBRs in Ross Lake on the way in at Big Beaver. We only found 6 of them 4 days later, though. Fess up!
Gear Notes:Glacier gear, coupla slings for Challenger.
Approach Notes:Long and hot.
