Jump to content

Bronco

Members
  • Posts

    3853
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    19

Posts posted by Bronco

  1. Trip: White Chuck - NW Ridge

     

    Date: 7/11/2015

     

    Trip Report:

    The brush on Saturday soaked us from the waist down within 30 seconds of leaving the parking lot. Intermittent rain and 100 yards of visibility most of the day were sort of discouraging but Dave, being on his first "climb" was ecstatic the entire 5 hour round trip. I was pleasantly surprised how grippy the rock remained when wet. There are cairns right where you want them, but not too many.

     

    Fun day in the mountains and makes me curious about the other mid- fifth ridge routes on the mountain. Anyone have the scoop on those? Scary? Good Pro?

     

    Summit shot, look at that view!

     

    IMG_15451.JPG

     

    Dave negotiating the "crux", we didn't expect it to be so overhanging. 9_9

     

    IMG_15442.JPG

     

    One moment of visibility, checking out the grid bolting possibilities.

     

    IMG_20150711_123939.jpg

     

    Gear Notes:

    Took a rope and didn't use it. YMMV.

     

    Approach Notes:

    Driving Directions from summitpost.com (these are pretty accurate). Subie Forester was perfect for this road, full size trucks would probably get pretty scraped up by vegetation and the clearance was helpful in a few rougher places.

     

    State Route 530 leads into the center of Darrington. Turn left (north) in front of the convenience store.

     

    After ~0.2 miles turn right on Sauk Prairie Road.

     

    After ~1.5 miles turn right onto Dan Creek FSR #24 and follow this for 8 miles keeping left at the fork at 4.3 miles. The road switchbacks several times then begins a long traverse into the head waters of Dan Creek.

     

    After ~8 miles on FSR #24, the road reaches a T-intersection. Turn left onto FSR #2430

     

    Shortly thereafter stay right at a minor junction onto FSR #2435.

     

    From here-on follow FSR #2435 for 5.3 miles as it winds it way into the headwaters of Decline Creek. It eventually reaches the ridge-crest, switchbacks some more, and comes to a fork.

     

    At this last fork, stay to the right and follow to the end of the road at just over 4800' elevation. This is where the trail starts.

     

  2. It looks out to me due to more frequent rockfall as the snow and ice continue to melt out. With the hot temperatures forecast for this weekend, it'll only get worse. I climbed it in 2003 during a hot spell in early June and experience several close calls with rocks zinging down the ridge despite it being a "normal" snow year.

     

    Personally, I'd wait for next May/June. Typically this route is best done immediately after the White River Trailhead is opened for the season. I believe it's been open since April. Is there any current info on the Mt. Rainier Climbing Ranger blog?

  3. I'm wondering if the accident occurred on the Chickamin Glacier. I'd be really surprised if there is anywhere on the Dome Glacier where a 1,200' fall into a crevasse is even possible.

     

    Glad to hear your friends are safe and were able to help the fallen climber.

  4. I thought this most appropriate for spray -

     

    Contrariwise

     

    con·trar·i·wise

     

    adverb

    in the opposite way or order.

    in contrast to something that has just been stated or mentioned.

    "contrariwise, a registered person may vote, even if not entitled to be registered"

  5. Dang, someone PM'd me last week for photos of the Chickamin Glacier. They were planning to solo Sinister last weekend. I deleted the PM and don't remember his name.

     

    Glad to hear they were rescued (whoever the climber is) and hope for a speedy recovery.

  6. From here: http://mynorthwest.com/11/2775593/Gangs-to-march-through-Seattle-for-police-accountability-

     

    Gangs across Seattle will take to the streets Friday evening to march in solidarity as part of the United Hood March Seattle.

     

    "We are tired of waking up to black men, women, children dead because of violence in our community, or police brutality," an online flier for the march states.

     

    The flier from the United Gang Mambers of Seattle has also been posted on anarchists Facebook pages.

     

    The march aims to address violence in Seattle communities as well as police brutality, locally and nationally.

     

    "Myself and another brother who's from the Southend, had gotten together around the time of the Baltimore situation, and we've just been thinking about the big picture," march organizer, and member of the Deuce 0, Amir Islam told The Stranger. "There's been barbecues, trying to feed folks, local kids, homeless people. There's basketball events (between rival hoods), we're gonna keep it going. We feel like it's a movement, the United Hood Movement."

     

    "We can't ignore that the police have been killing us, but we also can't ignore that a 2-year-old had just got killed in Kent," he told the Stranger. "We care about Black people."

     

    The United Hood March Seattle is scheduled for 5:30-8:30 p.m. and will start at the Seattle Police Department at 610 5th Avenue. A demonstration is planned at the police department and then at city hall to demand more accountability from the police, the mayor, and the city.

     

    Marchers will then walk to Myrtle Edwards Park on the Seattle waterfront. At the park, the event will transition to a memorial for loved ones who have lost their life to violence. There will be a releasing of balloons.

     

    The dress code for the United Hood March Seattle is all black.

     

    The event's flier encourages all people to join the march.

     

    "…don't be discouraged if you are not black, or gang affiliated," it states.

     

    Seattle police are aware of the march and will be present along the march's route. Police plan to treat it equally to other downtown demonstrations, according to a department source.

     

    "We are working directly with the organizers," Sgt. Sean Whitcomb. "It is a permitted event. And we are going to provide public safety services just like we do for all demonstrations."

     

    As for the attendees, Whitcomb said, "There are a number of people who affiliate with gangs; that doesn't become their sole identity, there are a number of factors. It is such a complex and nuanced reality."

  7. It was John's idea. In fact, he thought we should get up super early on Sunday and attempt to climb Sinister before hiking out. I can't imagine trying to navigate Bachelor Creek in the dark and was able to convince him that may be a little too ambitious for me. He probably could've done it.

  8. Trip: Dome Peak - Dome Glacier

     

    Date: 6/13/2015

     

    Trip Report:

    Juan and I climbed the regular route on Dome Peak over two 12-hour days. Kind of strenuous for two middle-aged desk jockeys but beautiful scenery and pretty good weather. Totally worth it and we hope to be back soon for other peaks. Some noteworthy points:

     

    • The Starbucks in the Arlington Safeway doesn’t open until 6:00 am;

    • The coffee at the Darrington Shell station is drinkable, barely;

    • WTA has cleared the Downey Creek Trail all the way to Bachelor Creek and some of the way up the Bachelor Creek drainage;

    • The Bachelor Creek crossing is closer to 4,100’ than 4,000’;

    • If you lose the “trail” through here, the Potterfield/Nelson advice is good: stop and retrace your steps until you find it. (we don’t recommend dropping your pack, however, because you may never find it again);

    • Stay to the right of the avalanche debris until it gets steep, then make a rising traverse leftward on a decent trail (this will save a lot of time and effort);

    • Trails all the way up to Itswoot Ridge are snow free and both lakes are long melted out;

    • Running water at Itswoot Ridge allowed us to load up and arrive at the Dome/Chickamin Col (elev. roughly 8,560) with plenty for the night;

    • Dome Glacier had some very small cracks but blue ice showing down low. You’d have to try very hard to fall into a crack at this point;

    • With the great forecast, we each packed pretty light bivy sacks that we somewhat regretted as we ate dinner in a graupel and snow flurry. It was a rather chilly night for both of us;

    • Frozen boots in the morning suck but helped to mitigate foot inflammation;

    • The snaffle hound at the Col bivy preferred Juan’s Lowe Alpine pack as mine was untouched. His pack was chewed up and he (the attorney/abogado) will discuss his extended warranty rights with Big Jim Nelson;

    • The “climb” to the summit was anticlimactic but views were fantastic;

    • The ‘schrund crossing to access the Chickamin Glacier looks manageable right now but the glacier itself is getting pretty broken up. If you’re planning a climb of Sinister or Gunsight, this summer, you’d better get on it;

    • The hike out was going well until we became complacent at about 4,100’ and overshot the creek crossing. The grade quickly goes from BW III+ to full on BW V if you lose the trail here. This cost us some time and blood but at least we found several bear beds (complete with fresh bear scat) deep in the head-high brush;

    • The Downey Creek trail is long but not as soul-crushing as the hike out from Goode via Bridge Creek/PCT;

    • In summary, this is a nice but strenuous outing that should become more enjoyable as people take advantage of the newly repaired road and resulting improved access.

     

    Photo Onslaught:

    John enjoying the brush in Bachelor Creek

    IMG_1533.JPG

    Cub Lake

    IMG_09542.JPG

    Dome from somewhere around Itswoot Ridge

    IMG_15283.JPG

    Enjoying some hot food and working on my modeling career for Mountain House (can I get a sponsor now?)

    IMG_0926.JPG

    Me really wishing we'd brought a tent instead. Note the snow accumulating on the bags.

    IMG_09283.JPG

    Sunset from the Bivy

    IMG_09301.JPG

    Juan approaching the summit arete

    IMG_15214.JPG

    North Face of Glacier also looking good

    IMG_15193.JPG

    Glad to be on the Summit

    IMG_09411.JPG

    North Face of Sinister looking to be in prime condition

    IMG_0947.JPG

    Friends in the register who came through here a few years ago

    IMG_0934.JPG

    Juan taking a last look at Dome and looking forward to the hike out.

    IMG_09231.JPG

  9. I think what Mike is saying is have your gear/food/clothing dialed in so you're in constant motion. Fuel while on the move, have important stuff packed where it's easily accessible, be thinking ahead to what's next so you're mentally prepared for the next transition and have the sequence of the next transition thought through. (need to put on my harness first, then crampons, grab an energy gel, flake the rope, etc.) I know from personal experience that I can become dependent on a more experienced partner and wait for his queue before performing certain tasks. This process starts in the planning stages of the climb. It may seem silly but by looking at a route description, you should be able to mentally go through potential transition points. Each person in the group should have a pretty good idea of whats happening next. Communication within the group should also be constant.

     

    Also, pack light. Scrutinize each item, you might be surprised if you think about when the last time you needed certain items.

     

    You say you consider yourself to be fairly fit. What are you doing for training? Back in the "old days" I considered myself a fairly fit 18 year old and was truly humbled by trying to keep up with a 70 year old logger who I was supposed to be helping pull some cedar blocks out of the woods. There is something innate to moving efficiently through different terrain that can best (only?) be trained by doing it. Try to get out with a heavy pack and get off trail, traveling cross country. You may look like some deranged mountain man but it has been very helpful to prepare me physically for mountaineering, especially since I have a desk job now.

     

  10. Well traveled and/or "famous" climbers have the responsibility to set examples for the up and coming generation and to the non climbing public. Climb hard, crank the rad, be Extreme is the mantra for all the teens entering the climbing world today, numbers are king, 5.15, V15...etc.

     

    This has got to be the most overused and tired cliche since the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Am I right or am I right? :laf:

×
×
  • Create New...